Young Living Essential Oils For Sinus Congestion

Causes Of Sinus Infection

• Any infection in your upper respiratory tract can cause an acute sinus infection. Allergens, pollutants, viruses, and bacteria are the main culprits. The viruses damage the lining of the sinus, leading to inflammation and obstruction of the nasal passage that connects the sinuses. This obstruction allows the bacteria to multiply within the sinus and causes an infection. Allergens and pollutants also show a similar effect.
• Fungi are the major cause of a chronic sinus infections. Individuals with weak immunity are more susceptible to such infections.
• Pre-existing medical conditions, such as the common cold and nasal polyps, can also cause sinus blockage.

When you have sinusitis, you experience a range of signs and symptoms. The most common ones discussed below.

Eight Essential Oils For Nasal Congestion Relief:

• Menthol: The icy effects of menthol have long been used to soothe sore throats and improve breathing. Menthol essential oils also can help clear up your sinus cavities.
• Peppermint: Another strong minty scent similar to menthol, peppermint also is effective at relieving sinus congestion thanks to its strength and ability to overcome nearly any blockage.
• Lemon: Lemon oils are common in antibacterials and anti-inflammatory, and they make a great addition to your medicine cabinet when you are experiencing sinusitis.
• Frankincense: Another powerful addition to the essential oils list, frankincense is especially strong and fragrant. It helps relax the lungs and makes for easier breathing all around.
• Eucalyptus: Eucalyptus is widely used in over-the-counter medicines thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. Since sinusitis is caused by inflamed tissue in the sinuses, it is a natural choice.
• Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is known for its antiviral and antimicrobial properties. Those who suffer from sinus congestion due to allergies can benefit from the relief that tea tree oil has to offer.
• Clove: Cloves are widely known for their very strong scent and soothing properties when you have a cold. Clove oil also can be used to effectively combat sinus congestion with its antimicrobial properties.
• Rosemary: Rosemary has been commonly used to alleviate coughing and colds. It even is effective against particularly resistant bacteria that cause chronic congestion.

When To See A Doctor

The essential oils for bronchitis and remedies mentioned in this article should help to reduce the severity of your symptoms and prevent bronchitis becoming more serious. Bronchitis usually takes 10 to 14 days to clear up and you should see a doctor if your symptoms last longer.

Dr. Jennifer Robinson on WebMD recommends visiting your doctor if you have symptoms of bronchitis and the following conditions:18

• You cough up thick yellow or green phlegm or you notice traces of blood in it.
• You have a fever and night sweats.
• Along with an irritating cough, you also have shortness of breath and wheezing.
• You cant sleep because of your bronchitis symptoms.
• The cough lasts longer than 2 or 3 weeks.

Read my other related articles:

Also Check: Best Medication To Stop Sinus Drainage

Essential Oils May Assist The Fight Against Sinus Infections

A natural, soothing treatment for sinus infections can be found in a multitude of essential oils. Since each offers its own unique benefit, try using a variety of oils for relief from the plethora of symptoms associated with a sinus infection. In addition to treating symptoms, many oils can help fight the root cause, thereby reducing the duration and likelihood of a fast recurrence.

Also read:

• Essential Oils for Bronchitis and How to Use Them

Article Sources

Sinus Benefits Of Essential Oils

Sinus-supportive essential oils release natural compounds that can help open the airways, allowing you to breathe more easily. They can help calm inflamed nasal passages to reduce uncomfortable pressure, release buildup, and signal the body to modulate its histamine response. These oils can be used on their own or in strategic combinations, and there are several different ways to enjoy their benefits.

Don’t Miss: Cough Due To Sinus Drainage

Best Essential Oils For Sinus Congestion And Diy Recipes For Relief

Sinus pain. Sinus pressure. Chronic sinusitis. For some of us, those words inevitably conjure up images of repetitive sneezing, red and puffy eyes, drippy noses, boxes of tissues, and hankies jammed into our pockets.

Many of us know the woes of living with sinus pressure and what it feels like to suffer through bouts of congestion, noses dripping like faucets and, even worse, extreme pressure, headaches, and infection. Sometimes it feels like a vice is gripping your head and is squeezing more and more tightly until you almost can’t take the pain anymore.

Sometimes pressure builds and builds until it leaves you feeling dizzy and, at times, nauseous. Maybe it feels like you might be coming down with a cold or flu. No matter the symptoms, most of the time it just feels terrible.

When left unattended, continual sinus pain, congestion, and pressure can lead to an acute form of sinusitis, otherwise known as a sinus infection. When this occurs, all of the pain and pressure that is normally felt with regular symptoms of sinus issues are augmented and feel a thousand times worse. Many people report extreme facial tenderness, headaches, pressure in the ears, nose, and teeth, and nasal congestion.

Primary care providers most often prescribe a round of antibiotics to help the body fight off the infection or the virus. After all, when discomfort strikes, it is only natural to want relief as quickly and easily as possible.

Upper Respiratory System Roller

I have been doing Saline as well along with warm washcloth compresses on my sinuses. It is helping to open my passages up. Today is a lot better than it has been. I am pretty much pulling out all stops to get rid of this junk. Remember when you are doing this to also drink lots of fluids to flush all this out of your system. You want to stay really hydrated to help your body rid itself of the problem.

UPDATE:

I am not back to 100% yet but I am feeling a ton better than the day I wrote this post. I have also added a drop of Lavender and Frankincense Essential Oil with two to three drops of Jojoba oil. I just add this in my hand and then apply to my sinuses, and ears as well. My nose is starting to feel a lot better but my ears are still kind of clogged, but they are easier to pop now than they were when this all started. I am still using my roller as well, I use this more when I am going to be lying down to help my ears drain easier. I am still doing the warm compresses, just not nearly as much as the first two days, and I am still continuing to drink lots of water and fluids. I have also purchased a Netti Pot which I will be using once this clears up. I am hoping to use that to ward off future Sinus issues, as I get a lot of them when it is Allergy season. Which here in the West it has already begun because everything is in full bloom. My problem is more the flowering trees than the flowers on the ground.

Recommended Reading: What Medicine Is Best For Sinus Cold

Risks And Side Effects

Numerous health organizations have warned about the risks of using essential oils, especially as a replacement for standard treatments. Some risks include:

• Poisoning: It is not safe to ingest essential oils. Many essential oils, including eucalyptus, pennyroyal, and camphor, are toxic. Even those that are safe to consume in small doses may be poisonous at larger doses. For this reason, people must keep diffusers away from children and pets and wash their hands after touching the oils.
• Skin irritation: Many essential oils can irritate the skin, especially if a person makes direct contact with undiluted oil.
• Inhalation: While it is safe to put diluted oils in a diffuser, directly inhaling essential oils or putting them in the nose may be dangerous.
• Drug interactions:

Recommended Reading: Can Sinus Infection Cause Permanent Hearing Loss

Essential Oil Safety Precautions

Essential oils are made up of the aromatic volatile oils of plants and are quite potent, so safety is key when working with these valuable plant compounds. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Read Also: The Best Thing For Sinus Congestion

Precautions Before Using Essential Oils For Sinus Infection

Here are some warnings that you should follow before using essential oils-

Read More:

Okay Is There Anything Else I Need To Know Before Diving In

Essential oils may interact with prescription medications and supplements, so it is always a good idea to check with your doctor first before using. Dr. Ko says if you plan on applying essential oils directly on your skin, you may also want to talk to a dermatologist. Some essential oils, like bergamot, make the skin more sensitive to light, which could lead to a sunburn, she says. Skin irritation may also occur in people with sensitive skin. Do a patch test on the inside of your forearm to check for any reactions before using. Anyone with severe allergies should be cautious when using essential oils.

If you are pregnant, you may want to steer clear of essential oils. There may be a risk that active ingredients will cross the placenta and affect the fetus, says Dr. Ko, so always consult with your ob-gyn before using.

Now that you know the ins and outs of using essential oils, here are the 16 best oils to relieve cold symptoms, from sore throat, coughs, fevers, and more.

Read Also: How To Relieve Sinus Headache

Are Shower Steamers Worth Buying

Whether or not aromatherapy shower steamers are worth buying depends on a persons budget and priorities. Some people prefer to make their own and find this a fun hobby. Others may opt to save time by buying premade shower steamers.

A person may wish to consider:

• Cost: A single store-bought shower steamer may be similar in cost to an inexpensive bottle of essential oil. This makes them more expensive since a person can only get one use out of them.
• Convenience: Shower steamers may be more convenient than some other aromatherapy types. However, they may also be messier and take up more space than other aromatherapy products.
• Effectiveness: Shower steamers release their fragrance quickly and then wash away. This may mean a person does not get as much of a benefit from the essential oils as they would with other forms of aromatherapy.

According to the blog One Green Planet, a person can make aromatherapy shower steamers with five basic ingredients:

• 1 cup of baking soda
• 1/2 cup of powdered citric acid
• 1/4 cup of cornstarch, arrowroot, or cream of tartar
• witch hazel in a spray bottle
• 1224 drops of essential oils, depending on the desired strength

Some people also add flower petals or food coloring for decoration. To make the shower steamers:

Direct Essential Oil Inhalation

If steaming water is not readily available to you, weve got an even easier method to try. Apply 1 6 drops of Lime, Lemon or Peppermint essential oil to a tissue or handkerchief and inhale occasionally up to three times daily.

Lime and Lemon help to loosen mucous, while Peppermint can help to reduce upper respiratory tract symptoms from colds including sore throat and cough. All three have the added benefit of a refreshing, pleasant aroma.

You May Like: Advil Sinus Congestion & Pain Directions

How To Use Essential Oils To Ease Congestion

Essential oils for sinus congestion can help to break up mucus that is constricting your airways and making it hard to breathe. The powerful aromas of many essential oils along with the antibacterial properties can help you find relief from sinus infections and congestion.

Here is the essential oil recipe to relieve a dripping nose, sinus pressure, and congestion that accompanies sinusitis:

How To Use Essential Oils Safely

Essential oils are great for self-care routines. However, we should also take care and caution when using them to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe! Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind.

Also Check: East Texas Sinus And Dizziness Center

Young Living Vs Plant Therapy

Plant Therapy is surely one popular pick for essential oils with amazing features and benefits. They come with individual oils apart from including pure blends, hydrosols, and lotions as well. A lot of people prefer plant therapy for being an affordable solution.

However, young living is an expensive choice without any doubt. But yet, the quality of manufacturing oils is unbeatable and for that sole reason, the price seems logical. If you wont compromise the slightest quality for anything else, young living is what you need in your life.

Dont Miss: What Remedies For Urinary Tract Infection

Table Of Essential Oil Antimicrobial Properties

Founder, Author, Lead Educator, Speaker, CTT, MBABetter Breast Health For Life!Be the Cure. Seek Prevention.303-664-1139 thermogramcenter.com

1Hammer K, Carson C, Riley T: Antimicrobial activity of essential oils and other plant extracts. J. Appl. Microbiol. 1999, 86:985990.

2Kalemba D, Kunicka A: Antibacterial and antifungal properties of essential oils. Curr Med Chem May 2003, 10 : 81329.

3Ouattara B, Simard RE, Holley RA, Pitte GJP, Begin A: Antibacterial activity of selected fatty acids and essential oils against six meat spoilage organisms. Inter J Food Microbiol 1997, 37:155-162.

4C. F. Carson, K. A. Hammer and T. V. Riley Melaleuca alternifolia Oil: a Review of Antimicrobial and Other Medicinal Properties. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2006 Jan, 19: 5062.

5Calabrese V, Randazzo SD, Catalano C, Rizza V: Biochemical studies on a novel antioxidant from lemon oil and its biotechnological application in cosmetic dermatology. Drugs Exp Clin Res 1999, 25:219-225.

6Aruoma OI, Spencer JP, Rossi R, Aeschbach R, Khan A, Mahmood N, Munoz A, Murcia A, Butler J, Halliwell B: An evaluation of the antioxidant and antiviral action of extracts of rosemary and Provencal herbs. Food Chem Toxicol 1996, 34:449-456.

7De Billerbeck VG, Roques CG, Bessiere JM, Fonvieille JL, Dargent R: Effects of Cymbopogon nardus. W. Watson: Essential oil on the growth and morphogenesis of Aspergillus niger. Can J Microbiol 2001, 47:9-17.

Recommended Reading: Does Sinus Infection Cause Ear Ringing

Essential Oil Safety Tips

When diffusing essential oils around babies and children, always err on the side of caution. Essential oils are incredibly powerful and when used correctly, have so many wonderful benefits.

Likewise, because of their incredible power, they have the potential to be harmful if used incorrectly.

Only use gentle oils that are known to be safe for use around children. Use a very small amount and diffuse the blend in a large, open room.

Have you tried this essential oil blend for babies? Rate it and leave a comment below to let me know how it worked for you!

Recommended Reading: Remedies To Get Rid Of Sinus Infection

What Are Essential Oils

Essential oils are the compounds that manufacturers extract from the bark, flowers, leaves, stems, roots, and other parts of plants.

Distillation by steam, water, or mechanical methods, including cold pressing, are usually the methods for extracting the compounds from the plant. What remains after the distillation process is an essential oil. Though usually, they are not actually oily but range anywhere from thin fluid to a thicker, viscous consistency.

Most studies exploring essential oils and depression look at their use in aromatherapy. During aromatherapy, people either inhale oils through the nose or mouth or dilute them with a carrier oil and rub them into the skin, as in a massage.

Massage oils consist of a carrier oil such as olive, almond, avocado, or coconut oil with a small amount of essential oil.

Medical professionals also recommend that people do an allergy patch test before using essential oils.

To do a patch test, dilute 3 drops of essential oil in a tablespoon of carrier oil and rub the mixture into an area the size of a quarter on the inside of the forearm. If there is no allergic response within 24 to 48 hours, it should be safe to use.

It is possible to develop allergies to essential oils after using them many times before. If a new allergic response appears, the individual should stop using it immediately and avoid its aroma.

Recommended Reading: Best Medicine For Sinus Congestion And Cough