Almost 40 million Americans suffer from sinus infections or sinusitis every year.
Sinusitis is an inflammation, or swelling, of the tissue lining the sinuses that leads to an infection and can result in mucus build up and pain.
Normally, sinuses are filled with air, but when sinuses become blocked and filled with fluid, germs (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) can grow and cause an infection.
Causes of sinus infections include a respiratory infection, allergies, nasal polyps and a weakened immune system.
Sinus Infection Symptoms
If in doubt, here are some common symptoms of a sinus infection:
- Pain or pressure in the upper part of your face
- Congestion
- Nasal discharge (white or clear if the infection is caused by a virus or an allergy; and yellow or greenish if the culprits are bacteria or fungi)
- Toothache
- Bad breath
- Sore throat and cough
- Fatigue
- Fever
Diffuse
Topically
Inhalation
Massage essential oil blend for sinus infection
Massage essential oil sinus blend
- 4 drops eucalyptus
- 4 drops pine or rosemary
- 4 drops peppermint
- 5 tsp carrier oil (argan, coconut,sesame, sweet almond, jojoba,grapeseed, macadamia)
This is the diffuser that I use, but there are so many on the market, it really is a matter of personal choice, and budget.
Essential Oils for Sinus Infections
- Eucalyptus
- Lavender
- Tea tree
- Cypress
- Ravintsara
- Oregano
- Menthol
- Sweet basil
- Peppermint
- Clove
- Rosemary
- Lemon
- Chamomile
- Pine
- Geranium
- Thyme
Essential oils are great for clearing out excess mucus and congestion, especially in the sinus area. If there is a lot of sinus pressure that’s creating a respiratory issue, headaches, and general stuffiness, eucalyptus, lavender, pine, and lime are the essential oils for you.
- Eucalyptus is a great decongestant and will help to relieve any sinus pressure
- Lime helps to clear the mind and also works as an antiseptic
- Lavender relaxes air passages and has an overall calming effect
- Pine will increase circulation, and is known for its power to ease colds in alternative medicine.
The other two essential oils that may help to reduce nasal congestion and colds are peppermint and rosemary. Both oils are decongestants as well, and help to relieve the pressure caused by clogged sinuses.
Eucalyptus essential oil
The health benefits of eucalyptus oil are well-known and wide ranging, and its properties include anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, decongestant, deodorant, antiseptic, antibacterial, stimulating, and other medicinal qualities. Eucalyptus essential oil is colorless and has a distinctive taste and odor.
Eucalyptus essential oil is obtained from fresh leaves of the tall, evergreen eucalyptus tree. The tree, scientifically classified as Eucalyptus Globulus is also known as fever tree, blue gum tree or stringy bark tree, depending on where it is located in the world.
Wounds
Respiratory problems
Mental exhaustion
Dental care
Pain
Fever
Mouthwash
Tea Tree essential oil
Tea tree essential oil, also called Melaleuca alternifoliais, is an essential oil that has been around for quite a while but not until the past decade has its healing benefits been catching on like wildfire. The oil is extracted from a plant native to Australia and cannot be found naturally occurring elsewhere.
- Helps heal and soothe sunburns.
- Heals skin infections naturally.
- Relieves itchiness from rashes as well as helps reduce rashes.
- Can be used as an all-purpose cleaner: Fill a spray bottle with 1-2 tsp. of tea tree oil and the rest of the bottle with water.
- Treats acne.
- Helps to prevent lice naturally; just add a few drops to your shampoo.
- A few drops in your pets’ crates or beds keep the fleas away.
- Removes ticks; just add to skin, and the little stinker will usually unlatch.
- Cures toenail fungus and Athlete’s foot.
- Helps remove skin tags.
- Naturally cures bad breath. (Swish some tea tree oil and water in you mouth.)
- Can be used in a homemade toothpaste recipe.
- Has been found as an effective treatment for warts.
- Soothes insect bites.
- Treats ringworm.
- Treats psoriasis and other skin conditions.
- Relieves asthma or other breathing conditions
- Works as as antiseptic on small cuts.
- Keeps your bathroom fresh.
- Relieves earaches; mix 1 drop of tea tree oil with 1 tsp. olive oil, drop mixture into the ear and then remove by tilting head.
- Freshen laundry: Add a few drops in your washing machine to scent your clothes. Also, if you forgot to put the clothes in the dryer, run again with tea tree oil to remove mildew. You can also scent wool dryer balls with tea tree oil.
- Helps freshen carpet.
- Can be used in several homemade kitchen cleaners.
- Cleans mold: Mix apple cider vinegar and tea tree oil and scrub mold; place outside to sun-dry.
- Can be used in a homemade natural deodorant.
Oregano essential oil
Hippocrates wrote extensively about oil of wild oregano, singing its praises as a cure for digestive ailments, skin conditions and respiratory diseases. There is also evidence that in ancient Greece, oregano oil was used for the treatment of headaches, wounds, snakebites, spider bites and even the common cold.
In modern times, oregano oil is considered to be antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-allergenic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-parasitic. Perhaps most notably, oregano essential oil is an anti-microbial with a demonstrated ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi. Think hand sanitizer!
Hand Held Pocket Inhaler Recipe:
Ingredients:
- 4 drops eucalyptus
- 4 drops lavender
- 4 drops peppermint
- 4 drops pine
- 4 drops tea tree
Simple Warm Compress
Ingredients:
- 1 drop eucalyptus
- 1 drop lavender
- 1 drop peppermint
- 1 drop pine
- 1 drop tea tree
- 1 cup warm water
- Clean piece of cloth
Directions:
- Pour one cup of relatively hot water into a non-reactive bowl
- Add your essential oils to the water
- Sit well to disperse oils
- Soak your cloth in the bowl of infused water
- Wring out enough water so the cloth doesn’t drop
- Place the cloth on your nose and sinus area for as long as desired.
- Repeat often, being careful to not allow any of the mixture to get into your eyes.
DIY Sudafed Shower Soothers
- Baking Soda about 1 1/2 cups
- Water about 2/3 cup
- Essential Oils: Rosemary, Lavender and Eucalyptus
- A large mixing bowl
- Mixing spoon
- One table spoon for scooping
- Muffin tray and liners
First, preheat your oven to 350F. By the time you’re done with the other steps, your oven will be good to go!
Then I added my Baking Soda to the mixing bowl and slowly added my water.
The consistency should be like pancake batter.
Once you have a good mixture stop adding your water and stir to thicken up the mixture.
The consistency should be like pancake batter.
Once you have a good mixture stop adding your water and stir to thicken up the mixture.
Now, scoop your mixture into your muffin tin, using one table spoon scoops per disk. Make sure you are using liners around your disks, otherwise getting these babies out won’t be easy! Here’s where I would do things a little differently next time! I used paper liners, like the ones that decorate your cupcakes. I found that once these baked up and cooled, some of the paper stuck to the bottom of the disks. Not THAT big of deal, I will just have to make sure they don’t go down the drain once these have dissolved in the shower If you can find the thicker metallic ones that have the wax paper liners, I would recommend using those. But they may be a little more expensive.
By this time the oven should be heated up and ready to go. Place your disks in the oven for 20 minutes.
After your 20 minutes in the oven, remove the disks from the heat.
Add a few drops of each oil rosemary, eucalyptus, and lavender to each disk. If your disks are still piping hot from the oven you may notice some steam or “smoke” come off of each one when you add the oil. This is fine, it won’t affect the out come.
Now, let your disks cool before removing them from the liners. I put mine in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes until they were completely solid. Once they have cooled, pop them out and store in a plastic or glass container until it’s time to use them. Just toss it on the shower floor and get ready to feel amazing!
These are even great if you aren’t feeling under the weather, but want a little “spa treatment” at home. They can irritate the eyes a little so be sure to avoid standing directly over the vapors.
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