What Essential Oils Are Good for Congestion?

Dealing with a stuffy nose is hard. It’s even harder when you’re the parent, and the one with the stuffy nose is your mini-me. 

Congestion gets us all from time to time, so we have to be ready to fight it when it does. One of the best ways to fight congestion is with essential oils. 

At The Natural Patch Co., we truly believe in the benefits of essential oils. Why? Well, for hundreds of years, before chemical-based solutions were on the market, indigenous communities utilized essential oils to remedy a lot of situations.

Essential oils can soothe headaches, minimize insomnia, repel mosquitoes and other bugs, and so much more. These products have stood the test of time, and the best part is they’re all-natural. That’s why we use essential oils and nothing else in our products. 

They’re safe, effective, and don’t come with a laundry list of potential and harmful side effects. That being said, some ways of using essential oils are more effective than others — we’ll discuss.

Defining Congestion

The best way to treat an ailment is to fully understand it, and today that starts with defining congestion. Congestion, or a stuffy nose, occurs when the blood vessels and tissue in your nasal passages and adjacent areas swell or fill with excess fluid and mucus, causing the “stuffed up” sensation. 

Colds, allergies, viruses, and other ailments can cause these issues. For adults, the problem can be more annoying than dangerous, but that’s not exactly the case when it comes to our kids. 

Infants and younger children can have their breathing completely impeded by nasal congestion, causing issues during sleep and feeding times. Relief is not only beneficial but truly critical for our little ones. 

Essential Oils That Fight Congestion 

Various essential oils can be combined for the ultimate congestion-fighting powers. Some of the oils used to treat congestion provide antibacterial qualities, while others help to reduce swelling. 

It’s also beneficial to add in oils that will help calm the mind as many will stress out and blow their nose too often or too aggressively, causing further swelling. 

The best essential oils to aid in relief from congestion are:

• Peppermint
• Eucalyptus 
• Lemon 
• Grapefruit 
• Black spruce 
• Lavender 
• Clary sage 

These oils will help you fight congestion by relieving swelling and slowing the receptors that send excess fluid to your nasal passages. Plus, they can stimulate brain function to combat the fog that usually accompanies this issue. 

Some of these oils will also help fight the germs that are associated with colds and viruses that can trigger congestion. While you can get relief from these essential oils one at a time, it is better to create a blend to cover all your bases. 

Best Ways To Get Relief With Essential Oils

Essential oils can be used in a multitude of ways, each having its own level of effectiveness. What they all have in common, when it comes to relief from congestion, is the tactic of aromatherapy. 

The act of inhaling these aromas is what results in oils’ all-natural health benefits. These scents will trigger different reactions and responses from the body to aid in healing or promote positive mental changes. 

Directly On Skin

You can use essential oils directly on the skin to aid in relief from congestion. The best places to apply the oils will be under the nose, on the neck, or behind the ears. 

All of these are areas that will have the most direct effect on the nasal passages. You can get relief from using them on the wrists or chest, but you won’t achieve great results.

The downside: the oils on skin will rub off easily and dissipate quickly. You can only expect up to an hour to two hours of relief using this method. Then, you’ll be back to rooting around in your bathroom drawers, looking for the bottle you had earlier that morning.

Diffuser 

You can also use essential oils in a diffuser or humidifier. This method uses steam to infuse the air in your home with the essential oils, providing relief to the entire area. This can be beneficial in a home, especially when the entire family is dealing with congestion. 

There are two downsides associated with relying on diffusers. One, the diffuser disperses the essential oils into the entire room, so the effects won’t be as strong, depending on the size of the diffuser to the size of the space. 

Second, diffusers aren’t portable, meaning they only work in a fixed location. 

Patches

We know that the best and most effective way to use essential oils is by inhaling their amazing aromas. But there needs to be a way to get the effects without going on skin, lasting longer than a couple of hours, and being able to travel. 

That’s why we created the AllergyPatch. It’s a patch that goes on clothes, not on skin, and lasts up to eight hours for strong, natural relief. 

The best part? They’re safe for kids and adults, so everyone can get the relief they need fast. 

Breathe Easier

Thanks to our products, you and your family will be breathing easier in no time. The essential oils listed here are your best bet at congestion relief, and thanks to our powerful (and fun) patches, you don’t have to worry about creating the perfect blend. 

Everyone can get back to life faster!

Sources:

Nasal Congestion: A Review of its Etiology, Evaluation, and Treatment | SagePub

Essential oils for sinus congestion: Best oils and how to use them | MedicalNewsToday

Aromatherapy: a systematic review. | British Journal of General Practice