There are certain essential oils that can help aid your body with congestion. Some of these can include eucalyptus, peppermint, orange, and lemon. These essential oils can benefit you by loosening mucus from congested airways, making it easier for you to breathe.
Aside from this, there are also some blends that we sell here at Bubbly Belle that contain some of these oils. These blends can help to decongest the airways as well.
1. Eucalyptus Oil
One of the most widely known and most common essential oils for congested airways is eucalyptus oil. This oil is known to help with congestion by loosening the mucous in the airways, causing your body to expel it. What it does is react with the mucous membrane, to lessen the amount of mucus produced while simultaneously loosening it from the membranes.
One of the reasons that eucalyptus oil is used for congestion is the cineole, the main compound in eucalyptus oil. This ingredient is known to not only to rid the air of bacteria and microbes but also helps to clear the airways in the body and suppress coughs as well.
It was said by the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy that it was shown to help and benefit people in these ways, making a significant difference in congested airways.
Oftentimes, when you want this to happen, you have two different ways of using the eucalyptus oil. One option is to mix it with coconut oil or sweet almond oil, and then apply it to the chest or neck.
The smell of the vapor being inhaled will help. Another method is to diffuse the oil in a diffuser, like the Bubbly Home essential oil diffuser. In a similar way to the essential oil being used on the chest or in a rub, the diffuser will allow the vapors to be inhaled and loosen the mucus.
2. Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is also said to help with congestion in different ways. One of the ways in which it helps is by having a cooling effect, which gives the feeling of clear airways, even before they are cleared completely. It helps to numb and clean out the airways with menthol, which can also work as an antimicrobial.
Oftentimes, the reason for the congestion is something like sinusitis or another inflammatory condition caused by bacteria or microbes. Because of this, menthol would benefit the airways. The menthol would help to fight the bacteria and also to reduce inflammation, helping speed up the recovery time from sinusitis or other conditions.
Aside from helping with overall congestion and prevention, it is also helpful in regard to pain. Often, the congested sinuses or airways are accompanied by pain, either a headache from sinusitis or chest pain from coughing too much. Regardless of the reason for the pain, the menthol in peppermint oil can help with eradicating the pain little by little.
3. Orange Oil
Orange oil can be helpful for two separate reasons: antimicrobial and antioxidant characteristics, and anti-inflammatory properties. Like peppermint oil, orange oil can help to reduce the inflammation in the airways, and also reduce the pain associated with constant nose blowing or coughing.
Aside from this, it is also helpful to note that the antimicrobial and antioxidant properties can help to eradicate or fight off whichever bacteria caused the inflammation and congestion. Aside from this, it is useful in ridding of funguses that can cause other illnesses.
4. Lemon Oil
Lemon oil, like eucalyptus oil, is one of the broader known essential oils used for congestion and throat issues. Lemon oil has calming properties, which not only calms you down emotionally and mentally but can also calm the muscles in your throat to reduce mucus.
Aside from that, it also contains antibacterial properties and antifungals. This can help to rid the bacteria that can lodge itself into the throat or sinuses, causing congestion and swelling.
Since the congestion usually occurs because of the bacteria and microbes entering the airways, diffusing the lemon oil into the air would be beneficial not only to help aid the body in reducing congestion but also to protect against further congestion in the future.
Immunity Boost Blend
One of the blends that are available at Bubbly Belle is the Immunity Boost. This one contains both eucalyptus oil and lemon oil. This blend is helpful because it not only puts together antibacterial properties but also includes the eucalyptus oil’s ability to loosen mucus from the mucous membranes. This allows for clearer airways, and better health altogether if used constantly.
This blend can be used as a regular essential oil in a diffuser. You would add two or three drops, depending on the diffuser used, and breathe in the vapor as it is released into the air.
Though there is another option: the Immunity Boost Roll-On. This roll-on can be used under the nose, on the chest, or on any part of the body. Because it is already diluted for you and ready to be used, you do not need to worry about its effect on your skin if applied directly.
This is essential for on-the-go moments, where you have to get through the day at work, meetings, or school despite the congestion. Aside from this, it can double as an addition to your hand sanitizer, since it can keep germs at bay.
Which To Use: Blending Oils
When trying to figure out which oils will better help you through the congestion, keep in mind that you can always blend some together and get the effects of more than one oil. For example, the immunity blend (which is already blended for you) can add the benefits of the eucalyptus oil, but also the lemon oil benefits. Like this blend, you can also blend peppermint oil, which gives an immediate sense of relief, with eucalyptus oil, which is most efficient in reducing congestion.
Using these explanations of the oils, you are able to find the best essential oil, or the best essential oil blends, for you. It can depend on the severity, event, or even the time of day.
The added bonus is that most of them also contain pain-relieving properties, so if the congestion is accompanied by a cough and a painful chest, you can blend certain oils to help with all of the challenges that arise with it.
Sources:
9 Amazing Eucalyptus Oil Benefits You Need to Know | Healthline
How to Use Essential Oils for Sinus Congestion | Healthline
Essential oils for sinus congestion: Best oils and how to use them | Medical News Today
Orange Essential Oil Uses, Benefits, and Safety | Healthline
What You Need to Know About Lemon Essential Oil | Healthline