Essential Oil for a Deviated Septum: 8 Essential Oils Proven to Reduce Breathing Problems

There are a number of essential oils that can alleviate the breathing problems associated with a deviated septum. These include:

Lavender Oil:

Lavender oil (Lavandula officinalis) is used in aromatherapy and for massaging. This oil is derived from aromatic flowers and exhibits anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and analgesic (pain relieving) properties. It reduces the swelling and pain in inflamed mucosa (inner skin) of congested nose and sinuses.¹Karaca, N., Demirci, B., & Demirci, F.Evaluation of Lavandula stoechas L. subsp. stoechas L., Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata L. essential oils and their main components against sinusitis pathogens. Zeitschrift Für Naturforschung C. 2018

Lavender oil also increases blood circulation and activates the immune system. External application of lavender oil instills relaxing effects and diminishes stress and anxiety.

Massaging the forehead using lavender and peppermint oils helps relieve headaches due to clogged sinuses.²Chu CJ, Kemper KJ. Lavender (Lavandula spp.). Longwood Herbal Task Force. 2001 Jul;32.

Eucalyptus Oil

This oil (Eucalyptus globulus) is derived from steam distillation of leaves. It exhibits anti-inflammatory, analgesic (pain-relieving), and antimicrobial properties.³Kapitanska, Polina, Kaloyana Shangova, Rostislava Markova, & Petya Genova. "Effects of eucalyptus oil on ciliary beat frequency of nasal mucosa." Scripta Scientifica Pharmaceutica [Online], 3 (2016): 18. Web. 13 Sep. 2020 Eucalyptol (1,8-cineole) is the key ingredient present in the essential oil which reduces the inflammation of mucosa (inner lining), serving as an effective decongestant.

Research suggests that ingredients of this essential oil block the production of inflammation causing agents (e.g., interleukin, thromboxane, leukotriene), exhibiting anti-inflammatory action.⁴J., Abebe, W., Sousa, S. ., Duarte, V. ., Machado, M. I. ., & Matos, F. J. . (2003). Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils of Eucalyptus. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 89(2-3), 277–283. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2003.09.007

Inhalation of eucalyptus oil through steam also exhibits antimicrobial properties that helps fight infections in the nose and sinuses.

External application of eucalyptus oil relieves from pain and headaches. It also enhances the mucociliary clearance, leading to thinning of the mucus and easier drainage from the clogged sinuses.⁵Dhakad, A. K., Pandey, V. V., Beg, S., Rawat, J. M., & Singh, A. (2017). Biological, medicinal and toxicological significance of Eucalyptus leaf essential oil: a review. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 98(3), 833–848.This oil should not be used during pregnancy, lactation, and in infants.

Peppermint Oil

Peppermint’s (Mentha piperita) essential oil is obtained by distillation of leaves. A key ingredient of peppermint oil is menthol, besides methofuran and limonene. It is known for its cooling and relaxing effects and is commercially used in balms (cream applied on the skin for a soothing effect).⁶Cristina, E. D. (2004). Understanding True Aromatherapy: Understanding Essential Oils. Home Health Care Management & Practice, 16(6), 474–479.

The anti-inflammatory properties of menthol help relieve nasal congestion and stuffiness of the nose.

External application or inhalation of peppermint oil through steam serves as an effective decongestant and provides relief from headaches and migraines.

Its antiseptic and antimicrobial properties inhibit the growth of several microorganisms and reduce infections in the nose and sinuses.⁷Nayak P, Kumar T, Gupta AK, Joshi NU. Peppermint a medicinal herb and treasure of health: A review. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2020;9(3):1519-28. Due to its side effects, this oil is not advised for infants, children, pregnant and lactating women.

Other Essential Oils

Rosemary oil: This essential oil is extracted from the leaves, stems, and flowers of the rosemary herb (Rosmarinus officinalis). Its anti-inflammatory action reduces swelling of the mucosa of the nose and sinuses, relieving congestion and clearing the airway.⁸Banjaw D, Wolde TG, Gebre AM, Mengesha B. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) variety verification trial at wondogenet, South Ethiopia. Med Aromat Plants (Los Angel). 2016;5(267):2167-0412.

Thyme oil: This oil is extracted from thymus flowers (Thymus sipyleus or vulgaris) after steam distillation. Inhalation of this oil with steam is effective against several microorganisms and aids in the treatment of nose and sinus infections (rhinosinusitis).⁹Hall E. Natural Rx for Sinus Infections.

Oregano oil: Inhalation of this oil assists in clearing accumulated mucus in the clogged sinuses. It also has antiseptic and antiallergic properties.¹⁰Demirci, F., Karaca, N., Tekin, M., & Demirci, B. (2018). Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial evaluation of Thymus sipyleus Boiss. subsp. sipyleus var. sipyleus essential oil against rhinosinusitis pathogens. Microbial Pathogenesis, 122, 117–121.

Tea tree oil: This oil (Melaleuca alternifolia) has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and immune-system boosting properties. Inhalation of this oil is an effective remedy against cough, congestion, and infection of the nose and sinuses.¹¹Ali, B., Al-Wabel, N. A., Shams, S., Ahamad, A., Khan, S. A., & Anwar, F. (2015). Essential oils used in aromatherapy: A systemic review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 5(8), 601–611.

Anise oil: Anise oil (Anisi aetheroleum) is derived from ripened fruits by steam distillation. This oil helps in thinning of the mucus and clearing of clogged nose and sinuses. Anise oil should not be used for more than 2-3 weeks and is not recommended in case of any known allergic reactions.¹²Horváth G, Ács K. Essential oils in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases highlighting their role in bacterial infections and their anti‐inflammatory action: a review. Flavour and Fragrance Journal. 2015 Sep;30(5):331-41.

Sources:

1
Karaca, N., Demirci, B., & Demirci, F.Evaluation of Lavandula stoechas L. subsp. stoechas L., Mentha spicata L. subsp. spicata L. essential oils and their main components against sinusitis pathogens. Zeitschrift Für Naturforschung C. 2018
2
Chu CJ, Kemper KJ. Lavender (Lavandula spp.). Longwood Herbal Task Force. 2001 Jul;32.
3
Kapitanska, Polina, Kaloyana Shangova, Rostislava Markova, & Petya Genova. "Effects of eucalyptus oil on ciliary beat frequency of nasal mucosa." Scripta Scientifica Pharmaceutica [Online], 3 (2016): 18. Web. 13 Sep. 2020
4
J., Abebe, W., Sousa, S. ., Duarte, V. ., Machado, M. I. ., & Matos, F. J. . (2003). Analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of essential oils of Eucalyptus. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 89(2-3), 277–283. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2003.09.007
5
Dhakad, A. K., Pandey, V. V., Beg, S., Rawat, J. M., & Singh, A. (2017). Biological, medicinal and toxicological significance of Eucalyptus leaf essential oil: a review. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 98(3), 833–848.
6
Cristina, E. D. (2004). Understanding True Aromatherapy: Understanding Essential Oils. Home Health Care Management & Practice, 16(6), 474–479.
7
Nayak P, Kumar T, Gupta AK, Joshi NU. Peppermint a medicinal herb and treasure of health: A review. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2020;9(3):1519-28.
8
Banjaw D, Wolde TG, Gebre AM, Mengesha B. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) variety verification trial at wondogenet, South Ethiopia. Med Aromat Plants (Los Angel). 2016;5(267):2167-0412.
9
Hall E. Natural Rx for Sinus Infections.
10
Demirci, F., Karaca, N., Tekin, M., & Demirci, B. (2018). Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial evaluation of Thymus sipyleus Boiss. subsp. sipyleus var. sipyleus essential oil against rhinosinusitis pathogens. Microbial Pathogenesis, 122, 117–121.
11
Ali, B., Al-Wabel, N. A., Shams, S., Ahamad, A., Khan, S. A., & Anwar, F. (2015). Essential oils used in aromatherapy: A systemic review. Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 5(8), 601–611.
12
Horváth G, Ács K. Essential oils in the treatment of respiratory tract diseases highlighting their role in bacterial infections and their anti‐inflammatory action: a review. Flavour and Fragrance Journal. 2015 Sep;30(5):331-41.