Overview

 Stuffy nose is not a life threatening condition. Is that right? Those who woke up in the middle of the night gasping for breath because their nose got clogged will disagree. Stuffy nose or nasal congestion is one of the common ailments that affect everyone.

Contrary to popular belief, stuffy nose is not due to excess buildup of mucous in the nose. It is the result of inflammation of the blood vessels in your nose. What causes these blood vessels inflammation? Anything from colds and coughs, fever and flu, and any sinus infections can cause the blood vessels to flare up.

Several home remedies can lessen the discomfort caused due to stuffy nose and help speed up healing. The treatments are as simple as gobbling hot and spicy soup using a nasal spray. However, if you don't want to fuss about doing too much for your nasal blockage, essential oils are the best thing to treat a stuffy nose at home without any hassle.

Essential Oils To Get Rid Of Stuffy Nose

1. Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint oil is obtained from the mentha × Piperita, with menthol being the active ingredient for any respiratory-related[1] ailment. When inhaled, peppermint oil's calm and cool aroma influences the mucus receptors in the nose, opens the airways, and gets rid of phlegm and mucus.

How to Use peppermint Oil For Stuffy Nose

There are a few ways of using peppermint essential oil for clearing stuffy nose. These methods are as follows: -

• Take a bowl with a narrow opening or a steam inhaler or neti pot and fill it with hot water. To this hot water add 5 drops of peppermint oil. Now place a towel over your head and the head of the bowl and deeply inhale the aroma while keeping the eyes closed.
• Mix a few drops of the essential oil of peppermint with a tablespoon of coconut oil (or any carrier oil) and rub on the nose and throat.

2. Eucalyptus Essential Oil For Nasal Congestion

Eucalyptus essential oil has a compound known as cineole that is influential in handling headaches, runny nose, and nasal obstruction[2] It has a refreshing and invigorating scent often used in aromatherapy that may aid in reducing nasal swelling and promote easier breathing.

How To Use Eucalyptus Oil As Nasal Congestion Remedy

There are a few ways of using eucalyptus essential oil for clearing stuffy noses. These methods are as follows: -

• Take a bowl with a narrow opening or a steam inhaler and fill it with hot water. To this hot water add 5 drops of eucalyptus oil. Now place a towel over your head and the head of the bowl and deeply inhale the aroma while keeping the eyes closed.
• Mix a few drops of the essential oil of eucalyptus with a tablespoon of coconut oil (or any carrier oil) and rub on the nose and throat.

3. Tea Tree Oil Remedy For Sinus Congestion

Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), native to Australia. The oil is extracted through steam distillation of the leaves and contains various compounds, including terpinen-4-ol and alpha sabine. Tea tree oil is widely considered in aromatherapy for its woody and calming scent, and the compounds present in the oil may help with nasal blockage[3] promoting easier breathing.

Must Read: Essential Oils for sinus infection

How To Use Tea Tree Essential Oil For Proper Breathing

Tea tree oil is diffused via an aroma diffuser and its aroma is inhaled as a part of aromatherapy. Inhaling the aroma frequently may assist in eliminating pathogens, gradually decreasing swelling, and restoring proper breathing.

4. Treating Stuffy Nose With Oregano Essential Oil

Oregano oil is derived from the leaves and flowers of the oregano plant (Origanum vulgare). The oil is extracted through steam distillation of the plant material and contains various compounds, including carvacrol[4] and thymol. These compounds can help to fight off the infection causing the stuffy nose, thus eliminating the congestion in the nostrils.

5. Clary Sage Essential Oil To Clear Stuffy Nose

Clary sage oil is derived from the flowers and leaves of the clary sage plant (Salvia sclarea), which is native to the Mediterranean Basin. The oil is extracted through steam distillation of the plant material. It contains various compounds, including linalool and alpha-terpineol.

How To Use Clary Sage Oil To Clear Nose

There are many methods that can be employed to clear a stuffy nose. The easiest way of clearing stuffy nose with the oil of Clary sage is to inhale the aroma of the oil directly from the bottle. The oil must be deeply inhaled for a few minutes.

6. Lavender Oil For Clearing Nose

Lavender oil is derived from the flowers of the lavender plant (Lavandula angustifolia), native to the Mediterranean region. The oil is extracted through steam distillation of the flower buds. It contains various compounds, including linalool[6]) and linalyl acetate, responsible for their calming and relaxing properties. The sedative nature of the oil is an added advantage in treating stuffy noses.

7. Essential Oil Of Rosemary Stuffy Nose Medicine

Rosemary oil[7] is derived from the leaves and flowers of the rosemary plant (Rosmarinus officinalis), which is native to the Mediterranean region. The oil is extracted through steam distillation of the plant material. It contains various compounds, including camphor, cineole, and alpha-pinene, responsible for their stimulating and calming properties when used for aromatherapy.

How To Use Essential Oils For Stuffy Nose And Sinus Congestion

A word of caution before proceeding – Essential oils must not be ingested or taken internally to treat any illness, unless explicitly stated by a doctor.

Now, to treat a stuffy nose and to get relief, essential oils must be diluted before topical application. There are a few ways of inhaling the aroma of essential oils.

1. Direct Inhalation

The simple way would be to add a few drops of the essential oil or oil on a tissue paper or handkerchief and breathe in the aroma directly. Take a few deep breaths regularly to unclog the nose. Make sure that the oil does not come in contact with the tip of the nose.

2. Steam Inhalation

Take a bowl with a narrow opening or a steam inhaler and fill it with hot water. To this hot water add 5 drops of any essential oil. Now place a towel over your head and the head of the bowl and deeply inhale the aroma while keeping the eyes closed.

3. Diffuser Aromatherapy

Aroma diffusers diffuse the aroma of essential oil in the air easily and quickly. Diffuse the aroma and inhale the aroma continuously. This is a safe way to inhale the aroma of plant oils.

4. Bath Water

Add a few drops of the oil in the bath water and take a medicinal bath to unclog the nose. Make sure the bath water is slightly warm, and inhale the aroma of the oil while bathing.

Essential oils can also be applied topically to unblock the nose. To do so, dilute the essential oil. Add 2 to 5 drops of essential oil into a tablespoon of carrier oil. Some common carrier oils are – coconut oil, almond oil, jojoba oil and olive oil. Next, apply the oils blend on the nose and forehead (the glabella) and the throat. (Before applying any essential oil topically it is better to conduct a skin patch test.)

Are Essential Oils Safe For Children, Babies And Infants?

• The use of essential oils on infants below the age of 3 months is not recommended. Experts dissuade people from using essential oils around infants.
• There are many essential oils that are safe and recommended for use on children. However, because everyone’s health is different, it is better to ask a doctor about using the oil on children.
• Babies below the age of 3 years should not be exposed to peppermint essential oil and eucalyptus essential oil. It is believed that these oils are harmful to children in this age group.
• When diffusing essential oils for aromatherapy, be aware that babies, children and pets will also be inhaling the aroma. Hence, due diligence must be followed.
• It is recommended that essential oils be diffused in private rooms to avoid risks to others.
• Some essential oils are known to be active triggers for asthma. Do not diffuse such oils around asthmatic people.

Other Ways To Clear A Stuffy Nose

• Hot shower help relieve stuffiness of nose
• Use a humidifier to induce humidity if the air in a room feels too dry.
• Open the nasal passages and reduce inflammation with drugstore antihistamines and pseudoephedrine. Allergy medication lowers inflammation of blood vessels in the nose.
• Natural decongestant nasal sprays loosen the mucus in the nasal passage.
• Drink tasty and hot chicken soup.
• Try nasal irrigation and lower pressure in your sinuses.

Conclusion

Essential oils have been used as an alternative treatment for several. Several studies have proven the therapeutic properties of essential oils. It is a natural way of treating several ailments and a good way to avoid over the counter prescription medications. Research has shown that using essential oils during the early stages of most diseases helps treat the diseases. These oils also act as a complementary treatment for ailments.