Sinus pain, caused by swelling inside and around the nasal passages that produce mucus, is common during cold, flu and allergy seasons. Traditional remedies, such as spray or oral decongestants like phenylephrine, can temporarily constrict blood vessels to decrease swelling and improve breathing. However, most over-the-counter remedies can only be used for short times and have their own side effects. Sinus pain duration can seem unending when allergies and infections flare during the winter months, so better and more options are needed.
Common Alternative Remedies
Two common complementary approaches to reducing sinus pressure are steam and irrigation. Steam treatment is comprised of hot water vapor inhaled to moisturize the nasal passages, strengthen membranes and reduce swelling. Steam sources include electrical vaporizer machines, old-fashioned towel-over-a-hot pot techniques (but watch for burning) or prolonged bathroom steam from long showers. An additional benefit of steam treatment is that lung airways are opened up.
Nasal irrigation consists of salt water application directly to the nasal passages to reduce mucus, moisten airways and improve drainage. One of the oldest forms of irrigation is with a neti pot, a device that allows the user to pour warm salt water into one nostril while the head is on its side, so that the saline drains out the other nostril. Newer forms of irrigation include pressurized plastic bottles that force the saline from one nostril to the other or to the mouth cavity so that the user can stand normally. These irrigations can improve not only sinus pain but also nasal allergies, sore throats, and ear pain.
Aromatherapy Basics
A related, but less frequently used, technique to reduce pain and pressure is aromatherapy, a complementary medicine that relies on healing properties of herbs as applied in essential oil forms. The concentrated oils can be diluted in added oil and applied to the skin or can be inhaled in some forms. Simple use relies on using a single oil scent to trigger relaxation, energy or other moods. More complex aromatherapy is undertaken with specific recipes that combine oils to enhance individual properties and improve health and healing. Quantities and reasoning for herbal selection in these recipes date back thousands of years.
Aromatherapy Oil Types and Methods to Treat Sinus Pain
Some of the most common oils used for sinus headache and pressure are lavender, bergamot, eucalyptus, menthol, camphor and oregano. These essential oils can be diluted with plain oil and massaged onto key areas of the head and neck: behind and below the ears, on the back of the neck, on the temples and on the topmost part of the nose (taking care around the eyes). These spots receive immediate relief with this technique. The oils can also be inhaled for more direct effect in the nasal passages.
- Lavender is highly antiseptic, or cleansing, and is also known for soothing and relaxation properties. Thus, it can be absorbed to help remove mucus or bacterial particles and its scent can relax the muscles that tighten during sinus headache.
- Bergamot is a sweet citrus compound that fights viral and bacterial germs, so it can prevent additional infection from developing at the source of sinus pain; it is a cleansing antiseptic and energizer as well because of its citrus properties.
- Eucalyptus is often combined with menthol to relieve sinus pain and open airways, because it is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. When used in combination with menthol and camphor, counterirritation reduces sinus pain and antiseptic activity gives a cooling effect, so that blood vessels constrict mildly to reduce swelling and open airways.
- Oregano, through unknown mechanisms, decreases excessive immune reactions and swelling, such as those seen with allergy, and prevents germ buildup of all kinds.
Cautions
Diluted massage with oil or inhalation in dried sachets is considered safe for occasional use, but extended or concentrated use may cause side effects unique to the user and to the herbs. Consult a licensed aromatherapist for continued treatment, and consult a doctor for pain that is not relieved by traditional or complementary medicines.
Sources:
Health Benefits of Bergamot. OrganicFacts.net, accessed January 4, 2010.
Healthy Ingredients: Eucalyptus. American Botanical Council Herbal Library, accessed January 4, 2010.
Nicole Van Hoey - Trained as a pharmacist, Nicole has enjoyed providing drug and health information to many patients through work and now attempts to ...
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