The Best Essential Oils for Easing Congestion

Fall might bring changing leaves and pumpkin patches, but it also brings the cold and flu season. If you’re ready to cut sinus congestion off at the pass, using medicinal scents of essential oils might be your new secret weapon.

Essential oils like eucalyptus are popular for easing stuffy noses due to their antibacterial and antimicrobial powers. Follow along as we guide you through the therapeutic benefits of essential oils, eucalyptus benefits, and how to use these magical elixirs to stop congestion in its tracks.

Essential oils have a centuries-old reputation as a natural method of supporting physical health. As more people opt for natural alternative treatments for sinus congestion and the common cold, essential oils can be supportive allies against fall sniffles!

A “stuffy nose” is basically inflammation in the nasal cavities that blocks the flow of air. Breathing in essential oils can help clear nasal passages and reduce headaches – common culprits of congestion. Eucalyptus benefits breathing, as do other key essential oils.

Inhaling the oils in different forms takes the active ingredients into the nose and respiratory tract, where their benefits can also include improving sleep quality and promoting quicker healing.

Now that you’ve got the scoop on how essential oils are natural congestion clearers and cold fighters, let’s check out some of the best oils and eucalyptus benefits that also double and triple as sore throat, cough, headache, and stuffiness relievers!

Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus benefits sniffling people everywhere. If you’re struggling with congestion, skip the Vicks and use pure eucalyptus essential oil. The plant-based ingredient with a signature spicy scent is widely used to promote clear, easy breathing by relaxing the airway muscles. And as a mild expectorant, one of the eucalyptus benefits is that it can be particularly useful for helping to clear congested sinuses.

PRO TIP: Prefer candles to diffusers for a more relaxed ambience? Eucalyptus is one of the key essential oils in our Forest Rain Soy Wax Candle.

Peppermint Oil
This cooling, minty oil stimulates blood flow and works great to help relieve stuffiness, headaches, and sinus pressure. Peppermint has antibacterial and antioxidant properties that may help fight off the triggers for nasal congestion. Placing a tiny bit below the nostrils promotes deep, clear breathing.

Lavender Oil
Other common cold symptoms include fatigue and sleeplessness, likely caused by your cough and congestion keeping you up. Lavender oil is known for its soothing, calming properties, which can help promote relaxation and better sleep as well as possibly ease congestion if inhaled.

Oregano Oil
Oregano oil: not just for a kickin’ pasta sauce. This essential oil has long been touted as a remedy for coughs and colds thanks to its antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. It can also act as a natural antibiotic helping with nasal congestion by fending off bacteria.

Tea Tree Oil
One of the most powerful oils in the game is tea tree essential oil. We often associate this oil with skin and hair care, but this mighty oil has stellar congestion-fighting properties. This magic elixir with its signature potent yet refreshing scent has antibacterial and antiseptic properties. It’s useful for treating irritation and inflammation common with stuffiness and sinus congestion.

Clary Sage
Last but not least, clary sage has a very earthy scent that is great for getting deep into your sinuses and clearing out congestion. It's also an effective treatment for the cold because it's a natural antimicrobial oil. As a natural antimicrobial agent, the compounds in this oil can help ward off bacteria. If you’re pregnant, be sure to consult with a doctor before use.

When it comes to using essential oils and eucalyptus benefits for congestion, we mostly see the traditional diffuser – but that’s not your only option for stuffy nose relief. Here are a few products that help you love essential oils even more and a few basic tips on how to use them.

Diffusers
Diffusers gradually disperse essential oils into the air, allowing them to dilute before being inhaled. This is the best method of inhalation. Essential oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, oregano, and clary sage are great for diffusing to soothe your throat and relieve congestion.

Cool Air Humidifiers
Similar to a diffuser, a cool-mist humidifier may help ease coughing and congestion due to a cold. The cool mist can help relieve a stuffy nose and can help break up mucus so you can cough it up.

Shower Steamers
A warm, steamy shower already helps to loosen mucus, but adding essential oils such as eucalyptus benefits congestion and brings showers to another level. Put one tablet on the shower floor and breathe in deeply while you enjoy this congestion therapy.

Need an easy and simple steamer recipe? We have one that will have you relaxed, sniffle- and congestion-free in no time!

Ingredients:
1 cup baking soda
1/2 cup citric acid
1/4 cup corn starch (optional, but helps shower steamers dissolve more slowly)
1 teaspoon peppermint oil (use more to boost the fragrance)
20 drops eucalyptus essential oil
2-3 tablespoons water

Instructions:
Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients until clump-free, then add essential oils.

b.font-bold Step 2: Using a spray bottle, mist on the water while mixing. Note: You only want to add just enough to enable the mixture to clump in your hand when you squeeze a handful – no more than that.

b.font-bold Step 3: Press the mixture into molds or lined muffin tins.

b.font-bold Step 4: Air dry them until firm, then unmold and fully dry before storing. Store the DIY shower steamers in an airtight container.

Wet Washcloths
Nothing feels better for congestion and nasal inflammation than a cold washcloth. This is a great way to inhale the eucalyptus benefits and benefits of other essential oils. Wet a clean wash rag, spray essential oils on it, then put it in the fridge. Once cooled, apply over your face and take in the goodness.

Pillow Mister
Lavender oil is not only great for inhalation, you can also simply put a few drops on your pillow before hitting the hay or try the Tranquility Pillow Mist. Featuring a blend of lavender and other purifying essential oils, this mist helps clear your mind and congestion all in one.

Topical Balms, Oils, and Lotions
Putting an essential oil directly on your skin can easily cause irritation. Diluting your essential oils in a carrier oil like jojoba, grapeseed, avocado, rosehip, olive, or sweet almond will keep irritation at bay.

Bath Buddy
While soaking in your bathtub, add a few drops of your preferred essential oil and gently inhale its pleasant smell while soaking. Our Lavender Sea Therapy Bath combines lavender oil with nourishing crystallized kelp for a spa-worthy self-care experience at home. These bath salts deeply detoxify to purge harmful toxins from the body, while promoting tension-release for inflammation.

There’s a lot more to learn about the world of essential oils: a rapidly and exponentially growing niche within the natural health (and beauty) industry. To discover more about eucalyptus benefits and uses in self-care, check out our guide to eucalyptus benefits!