For thousands of years, people have used scent to help them make decisions. Cleopatra filled her boat with roses and jasmine when she went to meet Mark Anthony. On the other hand, the stink of a skunk gives a clear warning. And a house seems much more welcoming when it emanates the cinnamon-scent of apple pie. But smell doesn’t just tell a story, or send a message. It can also improve your health—at least according to practitioners of aromatherapy. Aromatherapy for sinusitis is a traditional healing modality in which the practitioner uses the distilled oils of plant, known as essential oils, to promote physical and psychological well-being. Plants, of course, are the oldest medicines: aspirin is derived from willow bark, codeine from poppies.
But how can aromatherapy help treat, or even prevent, sinusitis? After all, it’s not like you can smell anything when you have a stuffy nose…it’s stuffed up, that’s the problem.
Well, as you know, steaming your sinuses helps thin the mucus, relieving the pressure in your sinuses. Adding some essential oil to the hot water can help clear your sinuses and keep them healthy—and may help you avoid sinusitis.
These essential oils are considered especially beneficial for preventing and treating sinusitis:
- Eucalyptus
- Peppermint
- Rosemary
- Tea Tree
Just add a few drops of any of those oils to hot water. Then kick back and enjoy the steam. If you find that your sinuses don’t clear up, or that they keep getting stopped up, give a call to an NY sinus doctor here at our offices.