Are you a victim of frequent headaches? Are you constantly dealing with a runny nose?
If you experience one or both of these symptoms, you could be dealing with a sinus congestion.
What is Sinus Congestion?
The sinus cavities are located along your cheekbones, the lower forehead, and between your eyebrows. These hollow depressions are usually empty, except for a thin layer of mucus.
However, often, the sinuses get infected with bacteria or viruses, resulting in inflammation. This inflammation in turn leads to an infection of the sinuses.
When this happens, the sinus begins to secrete mucus in excess, causing the nasal passages to get blocked.
Those suffering from sinus congestion have to deal with a runny nose, difficulty in breathing, and severe headaches.
Natural Remedies with Essential Oils to Get Rid of Sinus Congestion
Luckily for us, sinus congestion is an ancient problem, and people have developed several ways of dealing with it. If you’re not comfortable with conventional medicine, and prefer a more natural approach, you may want to try one of these essential oil treatments. They’ll help you clear your sinuses in a jiffy!
1. Hot Essential Oil Bath
One of the most soothing ways to deal with this annoying problem would be to take a long, hot bath.
All you have to do is get the bath water running and fill up the bathtub. You can even use a bucket if you prefer bathing that way.
Once the water is ready, add approximately 8-10 drops of essential oil to the water and allow it to settle. Spend at least 30 minutes in this warm bath and scrub yourself all over. The essential oils will work wonders on your sinuses.
To make this treatment extremely effective, I recommend using lavender, peppermint, cinnamon, or juniper oil. But be careful with the peppermint; it’s really potent, so add just a few drops.
2. Steam Inhalation
All you need for this treatment are:
- 3 drops of rosemary oil
- 3 drops of peppermint oil
- 2 drops of eucalyptus oil
- A bowl of steaming water
First, heat a bowl of water for at least 5 minutes or till the water starts to boil. You must then add the oils to the boiling water in the dosage mentioned above.
Place the bowl on a mat on your table and tilt your head downwards over the bowl. Drape a towel over your head and allow it to cover the sides of the bowl. This will prevent the steam from escaping.
Now that you’re in position, breathe in deeply through your nose and breathe out through your mouth. The oils will help to fight the bacteria and viruses affecting your sinuses, while the steam will help you clear out the mucus.
When the water starts to cool, reheat it and repeat the procedure. Be sure to blow your nose after your done with the inhalation!
3. An Oil Massage
The blocked sinuses make it difficult to breathe at night, thus reducing the quality of sleep. This prevents your body from healing itself quickly.
So to clear out your nasal cavities, consider asking a friend or family member to give you a nice, long massage.
Requirements:
- 3 drops of geranium oil
- 3 drops of lavender oil
- 3 drops of lemon essential oil
- Grapeseed oil to use as a base
You’ll need a base oil to dilute the potent effects of the other essential oils. Apply this concoction on your neck, temples, and the bridge of your nose. It may feel uncomfortable for a short while, but the discomfort will eventually subside, leaving you with clear sinuses.
You can also ask someone to rub this oil on your chest and upper back before you sleep as this helps to clear out any congestion you may be experiencing in the lungs. With a clear passage for the air you breathe, your quality of sleep will improve and you’ll heal faster.
[Also read: Essential Oils for Sleep]
4. Warm Compress
Another great method to relieve your sinuses would be to apply a warm compress of essential oils on your body.
For this, you’ll need:
- 1 drop of eucalyptus oil
- 1 drop of lavender oil
- 1 drop of peppermint oil
- 1 drop of pine oil
- 1 bowl of warm water
- A clean piece of cloth
Heat a small bowl of water and pour the oils into it. You could even add a carrier oil like sunflower or grapeseed to create a more mild concoction. Once the solution is ready, dip the cloth in it and apply it to your skin, allowing your skin to soak up the essential oils.
For best results, place the cloth on your nose and in the areas occupied by your sinuses. The essential oils should seep into your skin, clearing out any harmful bacteria that may be occupying the space in your sinuses.
Repeat this procedure as often as possible, but take are to keep the cloth away from your eyes. A few drops of this mix in your eyes can cause some serious pain.
5. Direct Inhalation
This method is a slight variation of the steam inhalation and it’s more effective in clearing out the bacteria from your sinuses. However, without the steam, it’s difficult to get rid of the mucus from your system.
You’ll need:
- 3 drops of rosemary oil
- 3 drops of eucalyptus oil
- 3 drops of geranium oil
Mix the oils in a bowl and add a mild oil like sunflower to dilute the mix. The essential oils used for this procedure are potent, and you’ll need to dilute them in order to inhale them directly.
Apply just a drop or two of this concoction to a tissue paper or a handkerchief and press the cloth to your nose. Inhale deeply for about 2-3 minutes, take a break, and repeat the procedure.
6. Use a Diffuser
For those of you who find steam inhalation too uncomfortable, and can’t bear the odour of the oils during direct inhalation, a diffuser may be just what you need.
Diffusers are simple devices and can be easily purchased in the market. They work by dispersing the essential oils into the air where you can breathe them in while going about your daily work.
The recipe:
- 4 drops of tea tree oil
- 4 drops of eucalyptus oil
- 4 drops of thyme oil
These oils work best in the daytime. If you plan to use the diffuser at night, you may want to consider using these nighttime oils as they also offer a soothing effect, promoting better sleep.
- 4 drops of marjoram oil
- 4 drops of lavender oil
- 4 drops of myrtle oil
Mix these oils with a cup of warm water and allow them to settle. Once you have the solution, place it in the diffuser and sit close to the device so you can get the most out of this treatment. This is especially effective when more than one person is suffering from a sinus congestion.
When you use essential oils, always do a background check on the effects of these potent liquids. They are extremely beneficial to the human body, but only in the right doses. An excess of essential oils could harm the body and even cause irreparable damage, so be careful when handling any essential oil.
Under no circumstances should you ingest any of these oils to treat any sort of ailment. Of course, fennel oil is the only exception, and can be orally consumed without any side effects. But even this must be administered in the right quantities.
The methods mentioned above will help you get rid of sinus congestion as quickly as possible. Follow the instructions, and with plenty of rest, you should be breathing easy in no time.
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