If your sinuses are acting up, be it because of an infection, allergies, or congestion, it can affect many different aspects of your life. Sinus problems can cause pain in various areas around your face and neck making it difficult to breathe, and even to speak. Aromatherapy, especially the direct inhalation of essential oils, has long been used for various inflammatory diseases including those of the respiratory tract. In this article, we’ll explain the best essential oils for sinus infection that can help in fighting the disease.

Some Effective Essential Oils for Sinus Infection (According to Research)

Essential oils such as eucalyptus, Ravensara, and frankincense contain the monoterpenes which demonstrate anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.

Other essential oils like sandalwood, rich in santalol, are frequently used for relaxation or sedation, implying a potential effect on a hypersensitive organ.

A study published in Pubmed showed that the inhalation of blended oil from Ravensara, frankincense, and sandalwood alleviated subjective symptoms of perennial allergic rhinitis (PAR), improved the disease-specific quality of life, and reduced fatigue among adult patients with PAR.

These findings indicate that aromatherapy oil inhalation can be used as a safe and effective complementary intervention to reduce PAR symptoms and improve quality of life among patients.

Benefits of Essential Oils for Sinus Health

Certain essential oils contain ingredients that can help to minimize many of the symptoms caused by a sinus infection or irritation. These oils help to minimize congestion, pain, and the irritation caused by the infection.

There are a number of ways to use these essential oils as treatment.

How to Use Essential Oils to Improve Sinus Health

There are a few ways for you to enjoy the benefits of your essential oils.

Essential Oils for Joint Pain and Inflammation

• You can use a humidifier by placing about 25 to 30 drops of the essential oil of your choice into it and keeping it in the room with you. This is probably the easiest method.

• You could also place about five drops in a half cup of water and use a diffuser; for this method, you’ll need to sit close to the diffuser and breathe deeply for as long as you need the oils.

• You could also put about ten drops on a sponge and let it soak in the tub with you.

These are just some of the many options for how to use your oils to get their full health benefits.

Which Essential Oils Are Effective for Sinus Infections?

There are many essential oils that are effective in the treatment of sinus irritation, congestion, and infection.

1. Lavender can provide relief from congestion, reduce inflammation, and can help you fight off a sinus infection.

2. Peppermint can help you fight off the infection because it contains anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-bacterial properties. The therapeutic use of peppermint oil includes the symptomatic treatment of digestive disorders (e.g. flatulence, irritable bowel syndrome), and the symptomatic treatment of coughs and colds. You can also add 3–4 drops of oil to hot water and apply by inhalation. 

Peppermint oil is contraindicated in children under 2 years of age, because menthol can induce reflex apnoea and laryngospasm.

Avoid direct application of peppermint oil preparations to the nasal area or chest of infants and small children because of the risk of laryngeal and bronchial spasms.

Oregano Essential Oil Uses | 5 Uses of Oregano Oil

3. Chamomile can also help as it contains properties that are antiseptic, sedative, and anti-allergic.

4. Clove helps to treat a lot of different respiratory problems which can include sinus infections; it also has a soothing effect on your nasal passage which offers a cooling sensation to your sore or irritated nasal cavity.

5. Oregano also offers relief from sinus infections; the steam treatment works best for oregano.

6. Sweet basil and rosemary help you fight off sinus infections and can help with headaches as well.

7. Tea tree oil is great for the treatment of respiratory infections (e.g. cold, influenza, bronchitis). For external application, liquid or semi‐solid preparations containing 5‐10% m/m of tea tree oil can be used. Rarely contact dermatitis develops.

8. Menthol and Eucalyptus help to lessen the symptoms of sinus infections.

Other Essential Oils for Sinus Infection

9. Anise oil can be used for the treatment of respiratory complaints, mainly as an expectorant in cough associated with cold. A single dose of anise oil is 50–200 μL, three times daily, but it should not be taken for more than two weeks. Avoid using anise oil in children and adolescents under 18 years of age is because of the lack of data and the presence of estragole.

Different Essential Oil Blends to Boost Health

10. Bitter Fennel Fruit Oil: The traditional herbal medicinal products of bitter fennel fruit oil are used as an expectorant in cough associated with cold. In the case of adults and the elderly 200 μL of EO, as a single dose per day or in multiple divided doses, can be taken for not more than two weeks. Its use in children and adolescents under 18 years of age is contraindicated because of the lack of data.

Conclusion

There are many other essential oils that you can use, but these are the most popular essential oils for sinus infection

A natural treatment for sinus infection, congestion, or irritation can be a lot more appealing to people because it is considered to be a safer option.

Sinus problems can affect many aspects of your life and just make it harder for you to get through your day easily. By using essential oils, you can treat your sinus symptoms and help to shorten your recovery time.

As discussed in this article, there are many different essential oils from which you can choose and there are also many ways you can use these oils to improve your health.

Sources: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7163989/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808543/