A blocked sinus along with a runny nose can be quite a huge hassle and very uncomfortable as it interferes with your daily routine and causes pain, discomfort and mood swings. It has all the symptoms just like the common cold but the intensity is more.
But, with the use of essential oils for sinus, you can be good to go! First, let us look at what exactly is a sinus infection.
What is a sinus infection?
The sinus is the hollow part of the body in the facial area which usually comprises air, but when fluid fills these empty spaces are filled, they can get infected by microbes and result in inflammation and cause a lot of pain. This condition is known as Sinusitis or inflammation of the sinus.
Symptoms of Sinus Infection
The major symptoms of sinus infection are:
- A severe Headache
- Nasal Congestion
- Facial Pain
- A Runny Nose
- Fatigue and fever
- Difficulty in sleeping
Causes of Sinus Infection
The primary causes behind a sinus infection are:
- Respiratory tract infection
- Allergic Inflammation
- Deviated Nasal Septum
- The growth of polyps in the nasal passage
- Immune system ailments
How to use essential oils for a Sinus infection?
The best way for essential oils to relieve your sinus infection is through inhalation. A few techniques are as follows:
- Steam inhalation is combining essential oils with hot water to create therapeutic steam. It is known that adding three to seven drops of essential oil to boiling water in a heatproof bowl is helpful. Use a towel to cover your head, and breathe through your nose for not more than two minutes at one time. Eyes should be closed during this process to avoid irritation.
- Direct inhalation will involve taking the scent directly from the bottle. A drop of oil can be added in a handkerchief, cotton ball, or inhaler tube to breathe it in.
- A less potent method of inhalation is using diffusers which disperse essential oils throughout the air, allowing them to dilute before being inhaled.
- An aromatherapy bath is helpful too, by adding a few drops of essential oil to your bathwater.
- Add a few drops of essential oil to your favorite massage lotion or massage oil.
Which essential oils are good for sinus drainage?
- Peppermint oil
- Oregano oil
- Tea tree oil
- Thyme oil
- Eucalyptus oil
How to use Essential Oils for Sinus
1. Peppermint Essential Oil for Sinus
Why use Peppermint essential oil for sinus
Peppermint oil is a perfect oil for all kinds of ailments especially sinusitis because it has antispasmodic expectorant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. These qualities of the oil are an excellent remedy for sinusitis.
Also, it contains menthol which is a decongestant further helping the cause.
[Read: Benefits of Peppermint Oil]
How to use peppermint essential oil for sinus?
You will have to add four drops of this oil in a diffuser and inhale the scent. It shall begin its work as a decongestant.
You can do this ritual once daily.
2. Oregano essential oil for sinus
Why use Oregano Essential oil for sinus
Oregano(1) is quite a famous spice these days. Mainly we see it on pizza toppings. But, wait, its oil has some better uses. It has a distinct aroma due to the menthol content present in it which is why it can treat sinus infections effectively. Also, it has antimicrobial and antibacterial qualities.
How to use Oregano essential oil for sinus?
You need to mix just one drop of oregano oil with a suitable carrier oil like coconut oil or sweet almond oil and massage it delicately on the chest and nasal area.
3. Tea tree Essential Oil for Sinus
Why use Tea Tree essential oil for sinus
Tea Tree Oil(2) is one of the best essential oils in treating sinus congestions due to its excellent antimicrobial and antibacterial properties. It has shown its widespread effects in decongesting blocked nasal passages.
How to use tea tree essential oil for sinus
- Firstly, mix a drop of tea tree oil with a tablespoon of sea salt.
- Now, mix this with a cup of warm water and dissolve the whole mixture is dissolved.
- You need to pour the mixture into your one nostril and drain it out from the other nostril.
- All the while, be careful to breathe from the mouth.
This procedure can be done once daily and after the acute symptoms are relieved, thrice a week is fine.
[Read: Tea Tree Oil Benefits]
4. Thyme essential oil for sinus
Why use Thyme essential oil for sinus
This herb is dated back to the Mediterranean and Greek civilization. Its extraction process from the thyme leaves and flowers is through steam distillation and is a lengthy one. Also, only a small amount comes from a lot of raw material. Hence it has always been expensive.
It has various qualities of being antispasmodic, antibacterial and an expectorant. It is popular as a decongestant and a powerful herb in the treatment of immune disorders and respiratory infections as it is also a powerful antioxidant.
How to use Thyme essential oil for sinus?
It can be mixed with any carrier oil in a ratio of 1:1 and applied topically.
5. Eucalyptus essential oil for sinus
How to use Eucalyptus essential oil for sinus
This medicated oil is extracted from the eucalyptus leaf and contains the active compound eucalyptol which has a minty flavor. It is commercially popular as throat drops and cough syrups.
Its antimicrobial and antispasmodic properties work excellently is sinus and clearing blocked nasal passages. It helps beautifully to fight infections naturally and relaxes the chest muscles which are overworked because of the acute sinus.
Another attraction of this oil, which mothers will be quite relieved to hear, is that it is safe for toddler use, of course in moderation.
How to use Eucalyptus essential oil for sinus
Eucalyptus oil is a simple technique and can be repeated twice a day
First, you need to add a few drops of his oil to a container of hot water.
Next, cover your head with a large towel and inhale the hot steam.
[Read: Home Remedies for Sinus Infection]
6. Lavender Essential oil for Sinus
Why use Lavender Essential oil for Sinus
Lavender Essential oil is mainly heard of in skin lotions and baths due to its pleasant fragrance.
But, surprisingly it works beautifully in clearing sinus too as it has anti-inflammatory properties.
Its widely used as a decongestant too. It helps in clearing the blocked nasal passages and breaks apart mucus and eases congestion. One can not overlook its mild power.
How to use Lavender Essential oil for Sinus?
You need to add a few drops of lavender essential oil to your bath along with Epsom salt.
Soak in the mix for about 5 to 20 minutes.
It can be done thrice a week, and it will leave you relieved and refreshed.
[Read: Acupressure for Sinus]
7. Chamomile Essential oil for Sinus
Why use Chamomile Essential oil for Sinus
Now, this name is common when you think of a refreshing chamomile tea.
But, again nature heals through many ways and this wonderful oil can also aid in treating sinus due to its powerful antiseptic, sedative and anti-allergic properties. It also aids in inducing sleep.
How to use Chamomile Essential oil for Sinus?
You can mix three to four drops of chamomile essential oil to a carrier oil like coconut oil or sweet almond oil.
Rub this mixture on your chest and nasal area.
Alternatively, the scent can be inhaled through a diffuser too.
One can do this multiple times a day.
[Read: Benefits of Chamomile Oil]
8. Clove essential oil for sinus
Why use Clove essential oil for sinus?
Cloves are distinctly known for its antifungal and antiseptic properties. The clove oil works magically in the treatment of inflamed sinuses.
How to use Clove essential oil for sinus
You can add three drops of clove oil to a diffuser. Just inhale the scent.
It can be done daily.
Do’s and Don’ts of using essential oils
Here are some precautions that you must observe while using essential oils. They do not have any side-effects as such but make sure you do not apply them on the skin without diluting.
- Do not apply essential oils topically without diluting.
- Always mix essential oils with carrier oils before the massage.
- Clean the surface before using essential oils. for massage
- Leave the essential oils on for a few hours before washing off.
- Always use warm water to wash off the massaged area.
- Store essential oils in a cool place, away from direct sunlight.
Other Home Remedies for Sinus drainage
- Drink fluids like water and more or run a humidifier or vaporizer.
- Nasal irrigation is a very effective way of relieving nasal congestion and irritation. Saline irrigation means flushing out your nasal passages gently with a saline solution. This can be done with special squeeze bottles, bulb syringes, or a neti pot.
- Steam relieves congestion and can be taken through a large bowl of hot water and a towel.
- Intake of chicken soup.
On a concluding note, let’s say that essential oils are a powerhouse of organic compounds which are extracted from plants. Once you make use of them daily, they can be rejuvenating, healing and restorative. Maybe it is the remedy that may work upon your severe allergies and give you relief from the many drugs and lotions that you have tried. After all, they are natural!
