Have you ever used an over-the-counter nasal spray to help with sinus congestion? I tried one a few years ago, and it ended up being one of the most miserable experiences of my life!
After using nasal spray several days in a row to help with congestion from a bad head cold, I started feeling better and stopped using it. But within a day or two, the congestion came back twice as severe as it had been when I started using the spray!
The Dark Side of Nasal Sprays: The “Rebound Effect”
As I later learned, this “rebound effect” is a fairly common side effect of nasal sprays. The spray helps initially, only for your symptoms to worsen when you stop using the spray, trapping you in a cycle of nasal spray dependence. (I only wish I’d known about that particular side effect before I picked up the nasal spray in the first place!)
Once I figured out what was happening, I quit the spray “cold turkey,” but it still took a couple of weeks before the “rebound effect” wore off. I felt so miserable during those weeks that I vowed never to reach for a medicated nasal spray again! But if I hadn’t gone through that ordeal, I wouldn’t have come up with the natural alternative I’ll be sharing with you in today’s post, so I guess it turned out alright in the end! :-)
Related: The Best Essential Oils for Congestion
Here, I’ll show you how to make a handy “Breathe Jar” with natural essential oils that help to soothe inflamed sinuses, open airways, and relieve congestion! Give it a try when you’re feeling a bit stuffed up, and you’ll understand why it’s one of my go-to remedies for congestion relief!
How to Make a “Breathe Jar” for Congestion Relief
You’ll need:
**All Clear is an allergy-focused blend of oils with properties that can help with congestion, irritation, and inflammation.
Directions:
Place a few cotton balls into a small jar, then add 15 drops of All Clear (or 15 drops of the substitutes in the post mentioned above) directly onto the cotton balls. Cover the jar with an airtight lid for storage.
How to Use Your Breathe Jar
When sinus congestion is bothering you, open the jar, hold it up to your face, and breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose. (If your jar is big enough to fit over your nose and mouth, the heat from your breath can help activate the compounds in the oils and boost the congestion-relieving effects.
After using your jar, replace lid securely. Repeat as often as needed to help keep airways open and congestion under control. (Some people have even said it helps with a cough too!)
When you’re not using it, store your Breathe Jar in a cool, dry place. If the scent starts to fade, add more essential oil to the cotton balls to refresh its effects.
I’m sure you will be as amazed as I was at how well this natural remedy works. And best of all—no pesky “rebound effect” here! :-)
Do you have any tips or tricks for congestion relief?
This Is for Donna or whoever. I’ve actually with my allergies have been using the Flonase year round. It’s also great for the raspiness with allergies and helps keep my ears from getting clogged. I’ve had use an antihistamines with this. I don’t have a Neti pot. I couldn’t use without my ears getting backed up. I’ve also used Jillee’s diy saline for nasal issues.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Unfortunately this didn’t provide the desired relief for my hubby. Year around allergies, constant clogged/clear combinations of his nostrils, etc., etc. He can barely smell it. He takes a whiff, and one nostril will unclog for about 15 minutes, then clog again. Tried this while waiting to be seen by an allergist for shots, hoping this would work instead. Has even tried the expensive netti pot-style appliances on tv and that doesn’t last long, either. I plan on using it when I have congestion because as soon as I opened it, my lungs started to feel the benefits (have asthma that’s under control). Interestingly, my aide sits next to the same place where the jar is, and she loves it.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This sounds like a wonderful and useful treatment – I knew that peppermint oil was good to use for congestion, headaches and lots of other things, and most lozenges contain eucalyptus, so those two are pretty common. I wasn’t aware that lemon would be good for this too. I also use the adhesive nasal strips at night to keep my nasal passages open and they really help me to not get stuffed up during the night so I can sleep better.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If really congested, could you add this to a carrier oil and put it in a diffuser?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love this idea. I did try the Sinex spray and didn’t really work. I actually use the homemade saline jar for my nasal stuff. The Netti pot whenever I’ve used it helps , but then my ears wind up getting plugged. The timing of this post is great. I did the breath jar and the effects of the oils lasted me a few years. I mixed up another batch of the oil blend. I have bad seasonal allergies. Every year having a live tree in the house just messes with my eyes and nasal stuff big time. Unfortunately getting, a pre -lit one isn’t an option. No storage space. As much as I love Christmas the live tree isn’t a good combination with my allergies.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Wow! I just made this? I’m a chronic nosedrop user and have asthmatic symptoms occasionally. I won’t throw my inhaler out just yet but the difference this made was amazing! I wheeze at night a little bit and this eliminated that wheezy rattle with two inhales! YEA!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hello Jillee, I have been following your blog for many years now without fail, and just love all your ideas. When my husband was having a bout of sinus attack recently, I quickly wrote down your recipe for sinus congestion and went to our pharmacy to buy all the essential oils necessary. However the pharmacist was not in agreement with your recipe and that the combinations and amounts were not recommende. They did not sell the essential oils to me in the end. After a visit to the ENT, we eventually solved my husband’s sinus problem with other medication. I live in the south of France and the pharmacies will always check with the customers re the usage of the essential oils before selling to them. Just thought I would pass on this information. In fact I was very excited about trying out your “recipe”.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Do you have a substitute for oregano oil? I don’t have that one.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.It will still work pretty well if you leave it out :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Whenever my sinuses bother me, I boil water and place 2 drops of Oil of Oregano in the water and inhale that by covering my head and pot with a towel. If I use this treatment with a very first sign of getting sick, I need only one treatment.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Great idea!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.What a great idea,
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am going to try this immediately. I have been trying to ween my self from the spray inhaler since I have been hearing “bad” things about it, but have literally been unable to, it’s much more convenient to be able to breathe.
Talk about a “rebound” effect nothing could be more true! I’ll send a note on this in a month, for the results.:-)
Love this idea! I’m having an oily day and just made this breathe jar. It will be on my desk at work come Monday morning!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for sharing this. Me and my family will definitely try this.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Can I use Jasmine rice instead of the cotton balls? Will the rice work the same way?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I don’t see why not!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I made a similar thing using eucalytpus, peppermint and cinnamon bark oils.
It works quickly and effectively.
BUT the skin around my nose and just inside it gets so sore that I have had to stop.
Is anyone else having this problem?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I could leave out the cinnamon oil, it might be a little too strong. Also make sure that you’re just breathing the vapor, and not rubbing any oil on your nose :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love the sinus jar!! My husband and kids ask for it!! Thank you for always sharing your remedies!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I used to have tremendous amounts of sinus congestion, a still do on occasion, but the bulk of all my issues disappeared when I shifted my diet to a more paleo/intermittent fasting type structure.
I lost (more than I really cared to) about 65 lbs, and on bad days feel better than I used to on great days!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Jillie, what a timely post for me! I have been battling blocked, stuffy sinuses for about 4 days. I made your “Breathe Jar” and feel better already. However, I couldn’t find my bottle of Oregano EO (maybe I only thought I had one, lol) so I substituted it with Rosemary EO. Can’t wait to try my “Breathe Jar” using your exact recipe. In the meanwhile, no complaints!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.thanks jillee!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.for me and my family Eucalyptus oil is a tried and tested and sworn by nasal decongestant. we use it in hot water for steam inhalation, on handkerchiefs to inhale and also a couple of drops in the corners of the pillow covers, which is beneficial through the night. do give it a try :)
Thank you so much for sharing! I tried it & it is truly aweome!!! Bless you Jillee. :)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I think this is absolutely fantastic! I have been suffering with a plugged nose–especially my l. one ever since I was four and I am over 60, now. With my plugged up nose, I am constantly tired. :( Years ago, I would suffer from migraines and, now, I very carefully make sure I do not get another. Now, those is “so “miserable, needless to say! Only ones who get migraines, fully understand.
I will most certainly try this. Again, thank you!
Shannah
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have been having horrible experiences with nasal sprays over the years. I will definitely give your method a try this season, Jillee! Pinned!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I am going to try this, I’ve been suffering with sinus congestion which then leads to migraines. I found applying a few drops of peppermint oil to a wet cotton ball as recommended was amazing.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Dabbing the cottonball on the forehead, the bridge of my nose and upper lip, staying away from eyes and muceus membranes of the nostrils, was INSTANT relief. I couldn’t believe how powerful and refreshing it felt. Within minutes and not needing a decongestant or migraine meds, my head never felt such overwhelming relief !! Within a short time I was off to sleep relieved at last. Exhausted by all that pressure I slept the whole night. My only caution is to realize in the morning that remnants of the peppermint oil remain on your skin and needs to wiped off carefully, so not to rub your eyes. I used a baby wipe. FINALLY found the answer , amazing. Similar to breathing jar but more direct.
Hope it helps others with Migraines and Sinus issues. Gone with the old, ice,heat &medications
Perfect! I hope you love the breathe jar Patti :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.The oils have antibacterial properties :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Is there a substitute for the peppermint? Not a fan of the mint smell
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Absolutely! Eucalyptus is the most commonly used and most effective decongestant. It’s not a very expensive essential oil and works like a charm. It goes well with the lemon oil which is also inexpensive. The lemon is basically just to add a nice scent and doesn’t really have any decongestive properties. The oregano oil is VERY expensive, and as far as I know is only useful if placed under the tongue. However, it is extremely effective that way. Tastes HORRIBLE, but by all accounts is worth the terrible taste and the money. Melaleuca is a fantastic ingredient in high end skincare. Have no idea why it would be used in a decongestant mix. ???
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Melaleuca is great for your immune system! Also great for sinus infections and respiratory ailments. :-)
CAUTION: Oregano is a HOT oil and should only be used with a carrier never straight. (according to camwander.com)
Thanks for this! I have nasal congestion and it almost always ventures into my chest. Hoping this will ward it off. I had all the oils available !
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