It's safe to say that winter has officially arrived in SA, and with the season change often comes sinus issues, sniffs, watering eyes and/or redness. For some this also leads to increased snoring or feeling 'blocked', as they struggle to get air in through narrowed passages. There could be a number of reasons for this, but the most common culprits are either allergies or sinus issues.
Why do we get allergies?
Allergies occur as a result of your immune system reacting to aggravating factors such as pollen, dust, foods, pet hair, etc. As a result you may experience sneezing and a blocked nose, and itchy, watering eyes.
Sinusitis occurs when your nasal passages are blocked and infected. This most often is as a result of a viral infection and overproduction of mucus which then builds up and gets stuck. You may have a headache as well as tenderness or soreness around the eyes or cheeks.
Both conditions cause discomfort, nasal inflammation and stuffy noses.
The cold and for those living in the interior, also incredibly dry air, can wreak havoc with nasal passages as they can become dried out and painful.
What Do The Medical Experts Say?
There are proven medical benefits of essential oils for helping alleviate symptoms of allergies and sinusitis. Here are just a couple of medical studies conducted.
A study was conducted using a blend of rosemary, peppermint, oregano and eucalyptus essential oils, which all have anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and antiviral properties. Symptoms of sinus issues were found to be eased within just 20 minutes of use.
For perennial allergic rhinitis (chronic allergies), another study found that a blend of ravensara, sandalwood and frankincense showed improvement in symptoms, as well as improved sleep quality and less fatigue. Using the essential oil blend helped clear nasal obstruction in the patients. Alpha-pinene found in frankincense reduces allergic symptoms, and components of ravensara oil are anti-inflammatory. Sandalwood contains santalol which can have a relaxing and sedative effect and act on nerves to lower allergic reaction.
Another study tested eucalyptus, sweet orange, myrtle, and lemon to treat bronchitis and rhinosinusitus. The results were that mucus was drained faster, which is great for clearing blocked and painful nasal passages.
Essential Oils That Can Help
Aromatherapy is a natural way of helping alleviate the symptoms of sinus issues and allergies. There are a range of essential oils that are particularly good for congestion and other symptoms, some of which were mentioned in the studies above.
- Chamomile - an anti-inflammatory, may assist with symptoms of the cold and flu, as well as seasonal allergies.
- Breathe easy blend and SOIL Easy Breathe - it's all in the name! These contain blends of oils that work together to provide you relief and help you breathe better.
- Basil - has an invigorating aroma that can help with sinus relief and congestion, as well as coughs and colds.
- Eucalyptus - components of eucalyptus help clear the airways, coughs, mucus and bacteria. Eucalyptus is probably one of the most well known oils for relieving sinus and allergy related congestion.
- Frankincense - anti-inflammatory, can help treat asthma, bronchial conditions and relieve symptoms of allergies.
- Ravensara - anti-allergenic, expectorant and mucoactive agent.
- Rosemary - excellent for respiratory infections, allergies and sinus issues. Rosemary is also antimicrobial.
- Thyme - thyme is an excellent oil for respiratory and chest ailments as well as breathing issues due to mucus buildup and phlegm. It will help clear it up.
- Tea tree - its antibacterial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties can help clear up sinus inflammation and congestion.
This list is by no means comprehensive.
