Last summer I found a really easy home remedy for hay fever. It happened almost by accident.
My plumber was at my house, fixing my kitchen sink. He felt terrible, he said, because of his allergies.
“Would you like me to make you something with essential oils?” I asked. He readily agreed.
Home Remedy for Stuffy Nose
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So one by one, I took my essential oils out. He sniffed them. He was especially drawn to the peppermint and eucalyptus essential oil. So I put a few drops of these on a tissue and placed it in a little tin with holes on top. This allowed him to inhale these aromatics as he worked.
Then I did some Internet research. Both peppermint and eucalyptus are among the most commonly used essential oils for hay fever.
This year, I’ve also been using the same oils when I wake up in the morning. My hay fever is relatively mild. These aromatics bring quick relief. They’re all I need to keep my congestion under control. They also dry up my itchy watery eyes.
Home Remedy Nasal Congestion Relief
I might be biased. But one of the best ways, at least for me, to relieve congestion is with essential oils. Used properly, they appear to be very safe. They also don’t have the same side effects as drugs. Of course, if you suffer from a chronic health condition or take medication, you’ll want to check with your doctor before using aromatics. Also, eucalyptus oil should not be used on young children.
Essential oil are so helpful during allergy season. A lot of other people are also using aromatherapy to open their clogged sinuses, at least judging by the number of blends designed for easier breathing.
Home Remedies Sinus Congestion Relief
Nearly every significant essential oil company seems to have at least one blend made for nasal congestion. These could potentially be used for allergies or upper respiratory infections that cause stuffiness. Actually, when I have a cold (or I’m trying to prevent one) essential oils are the first thing I reach for. They’ve been used for centuries to support the body during illness. More recently, scientists are beginning to realize these natural plant extracts contain infection-fighting compounds.
Essential Oil Blends For Breathing
If you already own a collection of essential oils, I’ll tell you how to make a congestion recipe in a minute. If you’ve never used aromatics, one of the best ways to start is with a blend. This gives you the advantage of having multiple oils in one bottle. Aromatherapists often use blends because it’s believed that putting multiple oils together creates a synergy. So you can get this synergy without having to acquire six or seven different types of oils.
The blends below are made by two companies I trust. I’ve ordered from each of them repeatedly. I don’t tend to buy multilevel marketing oils because I know excellent quality also exists outside of the MLM networks. Both of the synergy blends below contain peppermint and eucalyptus, as well as a number of other aromatics considered good for clearing the head.
Plant Therapy RespirAid
Edens Garden Breathe Easier
Essential Oil Recipe For Sinus Congestion
When sinus congestion hits, I like to use peppermint essential oil mixed with eucalyptus oil. For me, this provides near instant relief. Although I can’t promise or claim it will do the same for anyone else, this is what I use. I don’t have severe hay fever. But many mornings in the spring and summer I wake up slightly congested, with burning eyes. If you’d like to make your own EO massage oil for congestion, here’s how to do it.
Use 1 tablespoon of carrier oil. This can be olive, grapeseed or coconut oil
3 drops of peppermint oil. (it’s available here)
2 drops of eucalyptus oil. (it’s available here)
Homeopathy for Sinus Congestion
Another natural approach is to use herbs for sinus congestion. If you don’t have your own herbalist, one option is to use Sinus Plumber All Natural Nasal Spray. It’s designed to relieve sinus discomfort with plant-based ingredients. These are delivered in a convenient spray bottle, similar to some of the other chemical-based products.
This natural nasal spray contains multiple herbs designed to clear your nasal passages. These include horseradish, eucalyptus and wintergreen. There is also a low-potency homeopathic remedy included in this spray.
Sinus Plumber Nasal Relief Spray
Many professional homeopaths adhere to something called the “minimal dose” principle. This means using only the minimum number of doses needed to bring relief. Since everyone is different, dosing is highly individual.
My own homeopath tells me not to take more doses if the first dose is still working. Only when it stops working can I take another dose. Whenever I mention a homeopathic remedy, I like to tell my readers about this practice. Homeopathy is an amazing healing method. But repeating doses too frequently can cause a temporary “aggravation” of symptoms. That’s why I use my own remedies judiciously.
Natural Remedies for Nasal Congestion
Pharmaceutical decongestants may provide temporary relief. But they can also cause side effects, including high blood pressure, anxiety, rapid heartbeat and even seizures, according to WebMD. Nasal medications can also cause a rebound effect. This means
For me, at least, natural remedies for congestion make much more sense. Other common natural home remedies for nasal congestion include taking a warm shower, putting a few drops of eucalyptus essential oil in a bowl of hot water and inhaling the steam. You can also try applying a warm wet towel on the bridge of your stuffy nose.
Please understand that I’m not a doctor so I can’t give medical advice. All I can do is share information on various home remedies for congestion, some of which I use myself. You should seek medical attention if your sinus problems do not clear up, if you have pain or bleeding or if you develop a high fever, according to the Mayo Clinic website.
Disclaimer
Women who are nursing or pregnant should not use herbal or homeopathic remedies unless directed to do so by a healthcare professional.
For More Information
When To See a Doctor For Sinus Congestion
