Highlights OTC decongestants aren’t for everyone.Some essential oils may clear your nasal passages and relieve pressure.You shouldn’t ingest essential oils.Sinus congestion is uncomfortable to say the least.It may make it difficult for you to breathe or sleep.It may also cause painful pressure behind your eyes, make your nose run constantly, or cause an annoying cough.Some essential oils may clear up nasal passages and relieve sinus pressure and other congestion symptoms.Essential oils have been used for centuries as a natural way to support emotional and physical health.When people become wary about synthetic medications, they often turn to natural remedies such as essential oils.Some people use over-the-counter (OTC) decongestants or antibiotics to treat sinus congestion and sinus infections.These remedies aren’t for everyone.OTC decongestants can interact with prescription medications and aren’t recommended for people with multiple conditions, such as pregnancy or high blood pressure.

They can cause side effects, such as: drowsiness headaches restlessness high blood pressure rapid heart rate Essential oils are an alternative treatment for sinus congestion that occurs due to: allergies bacteria inflammation the common cold Some oils may relieve symptoms, such as: congestion inflammation a cough There isn’t a lot of reliable research about essential oils and sinus congestion.e cigarette zac d'augnySome studies suggest specific essential oils may relieve symptoms.vape shop leeds city centreA 2006 review found that tea tree, or melaleuca, oil has antiseptic, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.vape shop mayfair london

Because sinus tissue inflammation and bacteria are often the culprits of sinus congestion, tea tree oil may help.Researchers in a 2009 study found that 1,8 cineole, which is the main component of eucalyptus oil, is an effective and safe treatment for sinusitis that doesn’t include antibiotics.According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA), 1,8 cineole helps clear the air of bacteria and other microbes.It can also help clear airways of mucus and is a natural cough suppressant.The main compound in peppermint oil is menthol.Menthol is in certain OTC remedies, such as vapor rubs, lozenges, and nasal inhalers.Studies show menthol may be more likely to increase congestion than decrease it.Menthol produces a cooling sensation, leading users to believe their nasal passages are clearer and they’re breathing better, even though the passages are still congested.Because oregano oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties, it may help sinus congestion in theory.No published trials exist.

Evidence supporting the oil’s effectiveness is anecdotal.How to use essential oils The best way to use essential oils to relieve a stuffy nose is through inhalation.You can inhale oils in a number of ways.Steam inhalation involves combining essential oils with hot water to create therapeutic steam.NAHA recommends adding three to seven drops of essential oil to boiling water in a large pot or heatproof bowl.Use a towel to cover your head, and breathe through your nose for no more than two minutes at a time.Keep your eyes closed to prevent eye irritation.Direct inhalation refers to inhaling the essential oil right from the bottle.You may also add a drop of oil to a handkerchief, cotton ball, or inhaler tube, and breathe it in.Diffusers disperse essential oils throughout the air, allowing them to dilute before being inhaled.This is a less potent method of inhalation.For an aromatherapy bath, add a few drops of essential oil to your bathwater.For an aromatherapy massage, add a few drops of essential oil to your favorite massage lotion or massage oil.

You shouldn’t apply essential oils directly to your skin.You should always dilute them with a carrier oil, water, or lotion.Popular carrier oils include jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and olive oil.Using them directly on the skin may cause: burns irritation a rash itchiness Perform a skin patch test before use.Essential oils are powerful.When they’re inhaled in small doses for brief periods, most are generally considered safe.If you inhale them in high doses or for long periods, you may experience dizziness, a headache, and nausea.They contain strong compounds that may cause toxic side effects.Some side effects may not be noticeable right away.Essential oils may also interact with prescription and OTC medications.These oils shouldn’t be administered to children.Women who are pregnant shouldn’t use them.Essential oils and decongestants aren’t the only way to treat sinus congestion.Other options include using: a humidifier to add moisture to the air a steam shower or a saline nasal spray to thin nasal mucus a neti pot to flush nasal mucus a warm compress on your forehead and nose, which can ease inflammation allergy medication if congestion is caused by hay fever or other allergies nasal strips, which can help open up your nasal passages If you have chronic sinus congestion due to nasal polyps or narrow nasal passages, surgery may be necessary.

Learn more: Nasal irrigation and neti pots » If you have sinus congestion, make sure you eat a healthy diet.Avoid dairy, chocolate, and processed foods.They may increase mucus production.Make sure you’re drinking enough fluids to help thin your nasal mucus.Put a humidifier in your bedroom to increase the humidity while you sleep.If you have any of these essential oils on hand, try steam inhaling them a few times per day: tea tree eucalyptus peppermint oregano If possible, consult a trained aromatherapist to learn how to combine essential oils for fast relief of sinus congestion.Keep reading: 5 remedies for sinus drainage woes »Swollen sinuses can cause a sinus infection.Learn how to spot the signs and give treatment.A sinus infection, or sinusitis, is caused by bacteria being trapped when the sinuses -- air-filled cavities behind the bones of the face -- become inflamed and swollen.The most common bacteria that cause sinus infections are streptococcus pneumoniae, moraxella catarrhalis, and haemophilus influenzae.

Sinus infections often occur during the common cold, when mucus and bacteria drainage is blocked.Sinus infections usually start as an upper respiratory infection, such as the common cold, with runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, and cough.Mucus from the nose often starts out clear but then becomes thicker and stickier.Pain may develop because there is increased pressure in the blocked sinus, either in the forehead area, cheek area, between the eyes, or behind the nose.The pain can feel worse when the child leans forward, and if you press firmly or tap lightly over an affected sinus, there may be tenderness.In addition, the child may have a fever and headache.Sinus infections are difficult to diagnose, but a runny nose lasting more than 10 to 14 days that is combined with coughing during the day and night can be a sign.Sometimes sinus infections come on suddenly, with severe nasal congestion, thick yellow or green mucus, and high fevers.Infection in the cheek sinuses may also cause pain that can be mistaken for a toothache.

Chronic forehead headaches can be caused by sinus infections in older children.Sinus infections can sometimes spread to other parts near the sinuses, including the eyes, brain, and bones of the face.Sinus infections often develop as a complication from the common cold.Even though it is difficult to prevent your child from getting a cold, you can take these steps to reduce infections and colds:Always contract a doctor if your child has worsening symptoms of a sinus infection and if there is swelling or redness of the skin over the sinuses.Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics as treatment; these should be taken as prescribed and completed for the entire course.Otherwise, consult your doctor before following these guidelines to make sure your child recovers:If your child still has a fever after two or three days of antibiotic treatment, contact your doctor.Copyright ?2012 Meredith Corporation.All content on this Web site, including medical opinion and any other health-related information, is for informational purposes only and should not be considered to be a specific diagnosis or treatment plan for any individual situation.