How to Use Eucalyptus Oil for Sinus

Eucalyptus trees are a class of nature's many herbal drugstores that provide a plethora of medicinal and chemical benefits for us humans as well as for the environment as a whole. If you've ever been to a tropical or subtropical country, especially those along the Australian archipelago and the Southeast Asian subcontinent, you couldn't have missed those eucalyptus lined avenues and countrysides where the minty-pungent essence lightly hangs in the air as if the creator, on a leisurely whim, took a puff from a fragrant hookah and exhaled casually as he took a walk in the garden of nature! Eucalyptus oil, extracted from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree, is a potent chemical concoction which is a powerful disinfectant and an effective anti-inflammatory agent. Owing to these properties, eucalyptus oil is a popular ingredient in various herbal insect repellents, disinfectant solutions and cold, flu and pain relief medications.

Now, when contemplating using eucalyptus oil for treating bodily maladies, it must be remembered that this is one hell of a strong compound and, if not used properly, can lead to burning sensations and skin irritations. Since the oil, in its liquid, natural form, is mostly used for topical application, care must be taken not to let it come in contact with dermal areas that are cut, bruised or where the skin is broken as doing so can give you, more or less, the same sensations that green chillies do when applied on a skin wound! Treating sinus with eucalyptus oil is a very common and effective phenomenon as eucalyptus oil for sinus infection is a tried and tested formula in almost all tropical parts of the world. Now, in case you are wondering how to use eucalyptus oil for sinus inflammations, read right ahead to find out the safe and proper ways of doing so.

Using Eucalyptus Oil for Sinusitis

There are three ways by which you can take advantage of the therapeutic properties of eucalyptus oil for treating sinusitis and related symptoms - steam inhalation, dilution and application and direct application. Let's see how to go about with these in the subsequent paragraphs.

Steam Inhalation
This is the most popular method that relieves sinus inflammation, clears nasal congestion and soothes respiratory blockages as well. For doing this, you need to fill a small tub or a large bowl to about 3/4th of its capacity with hot water. Next, add some eucalyptus oil, either a few drops or a teaspoonful (depending upon how strong you want the steam to be), to the water. Now, look into the tub of fragrant water and hang a towel from your head such that it covers the front and sides of your face as well as the water containing vessel. This compartment of sorts makes sure that the steam does not escape so that you can inhale as much as you want with your nostrils. Keep your mouth closed and breathe in deep so that the eucalyptus essence-laden steam reaches deep inside the nose and the upper respiratory tract. This method is very effective in providing relief from inflammation of the sinuses and blood vessels inside the nasal cavity, soothing nasal congestion and sinus headache.

Dilution and Application
This method is a more direct way of using eucalyptus oil for sinus headache and facial discomfort caused by inflamed sinuses. You need to add a few drops of eucalyptus oil in some other mild, non irritating oil such as olive or coconut oil. Thus diluted, it can be applied directly to the aching and swollen regions without risking any kind of skin irritation or rashes. This method is suitable for treating sinusitis in people who have sensitive skin but don't have enough time to go through the steam inhalation method.

Direct Application
This is the easiest and laziest method. All you need to do is apply a few drops of pure, undiluted eucalyptus oil directly on the site of discomfort such as the forehead, temples and cheek areas closest to the nose. You can also apply a very teeny-tiny amount along the edges of the nostrils so that the vapors gradually enter the nose and clear out blockages. Now, this method is suitable only for people who have healthy, unbroken and normal skin that is not susceptible to rashes or other reactions on coming in contact with strong chemicals. I happen to be one such thick-skinned (pun unintended and inapplicable!) individual who is too lazy to go through elaborate rituals for relieving an early morning sinus headache and, as such, this is the method I always resort to. Trust me, it works the best and the fastest!

So, these are the three ways in which you can reap the benefits of eucalyptus oil in its purest, most organic form to treat sinusitis. You can also benefit from the goodness of eucalyptus oil in cold or flu by adding a few drops to lukewarm bath water. A word of caution though - make sure you wash your hands thoroughly after using eucalyptus oil and before touching your eyes as if it comes in contact with your eyes, eucalyptus oil can make your eyes burn and water for quite sometime. No amount of splashing will work and the discomfort will go away on its own in sometime but as long as it is there, your eyes will hurt like hell! Also, since eucalyptus oil is highly inflammable, keeping it away from flame is very important for safety purposes. Otherwise, when used properly, eucalyptus oil is an excellent and extremely effective remedy for treating inflammations of any kind, be it of the sinuses, muscles or joints.