Sinuses can hurt so much when they flare up but essential oils are a great natural way to ease the pain and soothe your head. Here are the Best Essential Oils for Sinus Headache!
Headaches are a common condition that can affect anyone at any point in their life. Headaches can occur due to stress, anxiety, migraine, sinuses, external injury to the head, or environmental factors such as the weather.
What is a sinus headache?
Sinuses are small air passages that are located behind your nose, cheekbones, in between the eyes and forehead. When sinuses get infected by bacteria or allergies, they might block from too much mucus produced. This blockage is what causes headaches. You can use herbal remedies or prescribed medication that you can take to reduce the condition.
Herbal remedies you can use for sinus headaches are essential oils. Essential oils are oils extracted from leaves, flowers, roots of plants in their most natural form. They have different purposes in our bodies which are medicinal purposes, cosmetics, or beauty.
What is the Best Essential Oil for Sinuses?
1. Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil has been in use for centuries for its healing properties. Walk into any store and, you will find most cold or nasal relievers have eucalyptus oil as an ingredient. Eucalyptus contains cineole that helps to fight bacteria that cause sinuses.
A research study conducted in 2009 indicated that cineole was safe and effective in treating sinuses. It reduced headaches, runny nose, and decongested nasal passage.
2. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint has a cool fresh scent. The oil contains antioxidant and antibacterial properties that might help to fight bacteria that trigger sinuses. Peppermint oil contains a property called menthol. Menthol works by thinning the mucus in the nasal passage and opening up the nasal canal.
A research study carried out in 2014 indicated that it has anti-inflammatory properties or rats. However, more research is required on human beings.
3. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil has a unique, fresh, distinctive scent. Tea tree oil has been in use for centuries for its medicinal properties. A research carried out in 2006 indicated that tea tree oil contains anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antifungal, and antibacterial properties.
These properties help to reduce inflammation in the nasal canal and breathing airways. In the end, it reduces sinus inflammation and headache. Antibacterial properties work on fighting bacteria that cause sinus flares.
4. Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is common for its sweet, flowery scent. It is well known for its calming properties that help you relax and get better sleep. Sinus headaches can be very uncomfortable and can make you irritable and lack sleep due to congested nose and headache.
Lavender oil may help you relax and get better sleep. A research carried out in animals in 2015 indicated that lavender oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce the inflammation in your nasal passage. However, more research is required on human beings.
5. Rosemary Oil
Rosemary is common in the kitchen for spicing food such as meat. But it also contains medicinal properties that can help reduce sinuses. A review carried out in 2016 concluded that rosemary oil has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties that work well to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
How to Use Essential Oils for Sinus Headache
The best way of using essential oils is by inhaling them. You can dilute them first before inhaling. Ingesting essential oils is prohibited as they are not meant to be ingested due to their potent nature.
Add the essential oil to your bath: Add a few drops into your bathwater, enjoy the scent as you relax.
Diffuser: Put a few drops into your diffuser and place it in a central place in your home.
Inhale as steam: Boil water and place in a bowl. Add a few drops into the hot water and inhale as you cover your head with a towel or shawl.
Place a few drops on your handkerchief and inhale when necessary or when on the move.
Good Diffuser Blends to Use for Sinuses
Blending essential oils give a better boost in treating sinuses as each essential oil works in a specific way. Read below as we discuss two powerful blends that you can use in your diffuser.
Sinus clearing blend for relaxation and sleep
This blend includes four essential oils. Mix and put in a diffuser before you go to sleep.
- 2 drops of Peppermint Oil
- 3 drops of Lavender Oil
- 2 drops of Rosemary Oil
- 3 drops of Lemon Oil
Essential oil blend to help you breathe
This blend of essential oils will help clear your nasal congestion and, you will be able to breathe well. It includes:
- 3 drops of eucalyptus oil
- 3 drops of peppermint oil
- 3 drops of coconut oil
Some essential oils have excellent properties that assist in clearing out sinuses and fight bacteria that trigger them. In the end, your headaches will reduce, and you will have a good sleep. However, if headaches persist and occur daily, it’s advisable to visit your doctor for further checkup.
References
Sun, Z., Wang, H., Wang, J., Zhou, L., & Yang, P. (2014). Chemical Composition and Anti-Inflammatory, Cytotoxic and Antioxidant Activities of Essential Oil from Leaves of Mentha piperita Grown in China. PloS one, 9(12), e114767. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0114767
Carson, C. F., Hammer, K. A., & Riley, T. V. (2006). Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical microbiology reviews, 19(1), 50–62. https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.19.1.50-62.2006
Silva, G. L., Luft, C., Lunardelli, A., Amaral, R. H., Melo, D. A., Donadio, M. V., Nunes, F. B., de Azambuja, M. S., Santana, J. C., Moraes, C. M., Mello, R. O., Cassel, E., Pereira, M. A., & de Oliveira, J. R. (2015). Antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of lavender essential oil. Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciencias, 87(2 Suppl), 1397–1408. https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765201520150056
Hassani, F. V., Shirani, K., & Hosseinzadeh, H. (2016). Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) as a potential therapeutic plant in metabolic syndrome: a review. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg’s archives of pharmacology, 389(9), 931–949. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00210-016-1256-0