Do you suffer from sinus congestion? Your nasal passageways may open up with the use of essential oils, providing pleasant comfort. Numerous essential oils, ranging from peppermint to lavender, can relieve coughing and congestion.
Being a sinus sufferer myself, I know how it can turn our world upside down when the sneeze hits. Through the runs, I have tried many different types of natural remedies for sinus congestion. In this article, I will share my top nine best essential oils for sinus congestion relief.
Read on to find out more:
- Causes of sinus congestion
- Best essential oils for sinus allergies
- How to use essential oils to relieve sinus congestion
- Essential oil blend recipe for sinus relief
- Precautions
Causes of Sinus Congestion
Watery eyes, incessant sneezing, runny nose, headaches, and difficulty breathing at times? These are the typical signs of sinus congestion. Sinus congestion occurs when you have an allergic reaction or when you simply are suffering from the common cold, flu, or a sinus infection. This can become very uncomfortable, and can hinder one from working or even sleeping properly.
9 Best Essential Oils for Sinus Allergies
We’ll look at the best essential oils for sinus congestion relief in this section. The essential oils used here are therapeutic grade, free of fillers and additives, and organic.
Eucalyptus Oil: Majestic Pure Eucalyptus Essential Oil
In need of eucalyptus to ease breathing discomfort? Eucalyptus is one of the best essential oils for sinus congestion relief because of its ability to clear mucus from the nasal cavities and reduce nasal blockage. This 100% pure and natural eucalyptus oil from Majestic Pure does the job for you. Steam distilled to ensure pureness, pour a few drops on a bowl with hot water and bask in the therapeutic steam to relieve sinus congestion. It comes with a glass dropper for easier and accurate application.
Pros:
- Works best for steaming and topical application
- Mixable with other oils
Cons:
- The scent is not as strong when used in a diffuser.
Reviews:
- “I use a drop of this when I use my portable steam sauna. It is very therapeutic & helps to improve my breathing as well. I really love this product. It was a great buy!” Amazon Customer
- “This is a good quality oil. I use it with hot water to take vapor for my sinus congestion. It initially feels good, but after the first few minutes, it starts to feel dry and doesn’t melt the dry mucus, and can not ease congestion completely. But I still find it useful when congestion becomes heavy and resulting headaches unbearable.”, Joyantha Saha
Tea Tree Oil: Gya Labs Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree is a great essential oil that can help with several kinds of skin irritations, and this Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil from Gya Labs is a well recommended oil to help to help with congestion problems, or mix with other oils to create the perfect blend for sinus relief. It can also be used to treat skin irritation, along with maintaining nail and scalp health as well. Pair with your preferred carrier oil to enjoy its great benefits.
Pros:
- Great for topical application
- Strong scent
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the packaging
Reviews:
- “Just had a week, used it with carrier oil to decrease irritation of skin. Hoping for the best to help dryness and skin texture”, Karen
- “The scent is very strong, it definitely isn’t great but I’m going to assume it’s because of the purity of the oil so no complaints”, Amazon Customer
Rosemary Oil: Handcraft Rosemary Essential Oil
Rosemary oil offers a simple yet efficient way to clear a stuffy nose. Its potent anti-inflammatory capabilities are effective in reducing inflammation and providing soothing relief from your clogged airways. This rosemary essential oil from Handcraft is not only a good addition to your essential oil blend for sinus congestion relief, this oil is tried and tested to help with hair and scalp problems. Use it with your diffuser for its aromatherapy benefits or pair with your preferred carrier oil to apply topically. Use it as part of your facial regimen too!
Pros:
- Safe for use on the face.
- Eco-friendly option
- Good scent
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the packaging
- Some reviews have concerns on the durability of the glass dropper
Reviews:
- “It’s very strong and concentrated, mix it with coconut oil to apply on scalp, heard it promotes good hair growth.”, Ahmed
- “It’s alright, not sure that it smells 100% accurate to what rosemary should smell like, but it’s usable at the very least.”, Eli Reed
Lavender Oil: Majestic Pure Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender is one of the most popular essential oils around, providing calming and relaxing aromatherapy. It’s also great for improving sleep quality due its sedative properties. This lavender oil from Majestic Pure is best known for its multiple purposes. Pour a few drops in your diffuser to relax in the scent of flowers, or with your preferred carrier oil for topical application. Mix along with other oils to create the perfect concoction for sinus congestion relief.
Pros:
- Best used for aromatherapy
- Can be mixed with other oils
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the scent
Reviews
- “I decided to give this a try because of the price and reviews. You can not tell the difference. Absolutely wonderful lavender scent. It is not overpowering. I would definitely buy this brand again!”, Amazon Customer
- “…this is a great quality product. You can really tell the quality of an oil when you diffuse it based on the thickness of the mist. Cheaper oils will not be as strong when diffused and often are more translucent. This product, when diffused, was a thick white mist, which is exactly what you want! Also this is great to use topically.” Janessa
Peppermint Oil: Cliganic Organic Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint is a natural decongestant and fever reducer that is known to relieve tension headaches. Asides this, the cool scent of peppermint is an effective deodorizer, eliminating any foul scent in a room. This organic peppermint oil from Cliganic has no additives, fillers, bases or carriers added. You also get more oil for its price as it comes in a slightly bigger bottle than other brands.
Pros:
- Best used for aromatherapy, topical application
- Offers more oil than other brands for its price
- Easy to apply/pour
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the strength of the scent when used in a diffuser
Reviews:
- “I was having hip pain to the point that I thought I was going to fall. The frankincense oil eased the pain so I could walk better. My dad’s knee was doing the same thing, and he said it helped him as well. My mom was having difficulty with breathing, so I put some on her chest, combined with peppermint oil, and she said it helped. I’ll always keep this nearby now.”, Amazon Customer
Clove Oil: HIQILI Clove Essential Oil
Clove oil is known for its very strong scent and powerful properties which can help to alleviate sinus congestion symptoms. This clove oil from HIQILI is best applied topically as it is known to have excellent benefits for your teeth, hair, and scalp. Use it with your diffuser or consider mixing it with your other go-to essential oil blends to help improve concentration. The brand is travel-friendly too, as it comes with a smaller bottle with its own dropper. You can use this smaller bottle to give your friends a sample of this oil as a gift.
Pros:
- Best used for topical application, aromatherapy
- Packaging is nice, comes with a travel bottle with dropper
- More value for money
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the strength of the scent
Reviews:
- “This clove oil is much more pungent than the stuff I got from a different seller. I use it in a spray bottle mixed with water to freshen the air in my bathroom. It works wonderfully. I am very happy with this product as well as the seller, who shipped it super fast and it was packaged really well.”, Amazon Customer
- “This bottle is large with a dropper style top which makes using the product much easier. The smell lasts a long time”, Jennifer Herriman
Oregano Oil: SVA Organics 100% Natural Oregano
Though not as commonly known, oregano oil contains powerful antioxidants along with anti-bacterial properties that can help fight bacteria. The cool, sharp, minty scent of oregano oil is also a great way to help alleviate breathing problems caused by sinus congestion or allergies. This oregano oil from SVA Organics is 100% pure and natural, making it an ideal choice for aromatherapy or topical use. Blend this oregano oil from SVA Organics with other essential oils to make a potent concoction for sinus congestion relief. Apply topically with your preferred carrier oil to ease not just headaches, but body pain as well.
Pros:
- Best used for aromatherapy
Cons:
- Some reviews find the scent a little strong
- Dropper has poor quality
Reviews:
- “It’s good for what I use the product for”, C Ferguson
Essential Oil Blend: Gya Labs Breathe Essential Oil Blends
Not sure what to choose? Everything you need for sinus congestion relief is made available in this essential oil blend from Gya Labs. Use with your diffuser or for steam inhalation, or breathe direct from the bottle or from a cotton ball.
Inclusions:
- Eucalyptus, Lemon, Tea Tree, Peppermint, Bay Laurel Leaf
Pros:
- Convenient, product is already premixed for the need
- Value for money
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the strength of the scent
Reviews:
- “I have asthma and it is not a prescribed drug but in a pinch when I have a flare-up it does help me feel a little bit better until I can get to my actual medication.” Candi
- “If you want to reduce use of chemicals, start here with essential oils. It’s worth it.”, Malethea Holmes
Essential Oil Set: Lagunamoon Essential Oils Travel Bag
Don’t let a cold spoil your day wherever you are! Travelling need not be a hindrance in enjoying your essential oils, as this set from Lagunamoon makes it very convenient for you. With a very handy portable bag, the set contains 10 popular essential oils for various purposes. Enjoy your favorite scents or gift it as a perfect care pack!
Inclusions:
- Tea tree, lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, lemongrass, orange, jasmine, sandalwood, chamomile and vetiver oils, travel bag
Pros:
- Scent is authentic; does not smell like chemicals
- Great as a gift for those who travel a lot
- A lot of reviews love the bag
Cons:
- Mixed reviews on the strength of the scent
Reviews:
- “Awesome oils, love the combination combo, all nicely packed to put one in different moods of comfort!” Lorena Pavon
- “The scents smell great and storage bag is bonus” Sonia
How to Use Essential Oils for Sinus Congestion
Essential oils can help relieve sinus congestion via inhalation. This can be done in various ways:
- Steam inhalation involves putting several drops of essential oils in a bowl with hot water. With a bath towel, cover your head to inhale the steam created by this mix. Breathe in for two minutes at a time and keep your eyes closed to avoid irritation. Others modify this by covering their whole body and the bowl in a quilt so as to bathe in the therapeutic steam.
- You can also inhale the essential oil directly, either by sniffing from the bottle, or putting drops of it in a cotton ball or handkerchief and breathing it in.
- For a less potent way to inhale these oils, place a few drops of your chosen essential oil in a diffuser, allowing it to continuously be inhaled throughout the room.
- Essential oils can also be mixed in your bath water for an aromatherapy bath or be diluted with a carrier oil to be applied topically for relief.
Essential Oil Blend Recipe for Sinus Relief
You may try the following combinations of essential oils to help alleviate your stuffy nose:
For Steam Inhalation
- 4 drops Eucalyptus, 2 drops Peppermint, 3 drops Rosemary, 2 drops Lemon
- 1 drop Lemon, 4 drops Eucalyptus, 6 drops Cedarwood, 6 drops Lavender
- 2 drops Ravintsara, 2 drops Eucalyptus, 2 drops Balsam Fir, 3 drops Palmarosa
- 2 drops Eucalyptus, 2 drops Rosemary, 2 drops Tea Tree, 1 drop Peppermint
Steps:
- Bring water to a boil, transfer to a heat-proof bowl
- Add in the essential oils drop by drop
- Get a blanket or a towel and inhale the steam. Remember to close your eyes to avoid irritation.
- Maintain a safe distance between your face and the bowl
- Avoid inhaling the mix for too long as it can trigger side effects.
For Diffuser Use
- 3 drops Eucalyptus, 3 drops Rosemary, 3 drops Tea Tree, 2 drops Peppermint
- 2 drops Eucalyptus, 2 drops Rosemary, 3 drops Peppermint
- 1 drop Peppermint, 2 drops Thyme, 3 drops Rosemary
To apply topically, use these essential oil blends with your preferred carrier oil.
For ease of use, you can already pre-blend your preferred essential oil combinations and place them in a bottle, as recommended on this video.
Precautions
Though dubbed as natural, the use of essential oils is not always considered safe. Always consult your doctor before trying out alternative ways to manage sinus congestion.
When essential oils are diffused in the air, it can also be inhaled by other occupants in the room. This can trigger those who may have an allergic reaction to a certain essential oil.
Some oils can also trigger asthma symptoms, like peppermint and eucalyptus. You may also experience side effects when using oils for a prolonged period of time.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate essential oils, so they should always be used with caution.
Is it safe for babies?
Seek medical advice if the oils will be used by pregnant, lactating women and children. Do not use essential oils on children 3 months or younger.
Wrap Up
Essential oils can be beneficial in relieving sinus congestion and making breathing easier. However, because essential oils can cause side effects, you should always consult your doctor before using them. Make sure to do your research on the best essential oil blends for your specific needs, and keep in mind that moderation is key when using them. Essential oils may be the key to unlocking better health for you if you make the proper preparations and understand them.