Post nasal drip may sound like an icky problem but is, in fact, very common. It can affect people of all age groups, and you are bound to have had it sometime in your life. I, for one, have had it a few too many times, which is my I felt the need to share this alternative remedy.

There was a time when I would rush to the doctor and try and treat post nasal drip with allopathic medicines. But with time, I made the switch to the good old essential oils based on my grandfather’s advice. I will be honest that when I first learnt about essential oils for post nasal drip, it seemed like just another slow and non-effective “ghar ka nuska” or DIY home remedy. But after doing a bit more research, I found various studies that back up the use of essential oils for treating a runny nose.

Table of contents:

• But before we get started, what is post nasal drip?
• So, how do essential oils help here?
• Let’s get to the point now – what essential oils can you use?
• Eucalyptus oil
• Peppermint oil
• Cold soother essential oil blend
• Breathe easy essential oil blend

But before we get started, what is post nasal drip?

Your body produces mucus that gets secreted down your throat from your nose and, normally, it plays a vital role in your overall ENT health (Ear, Nose, and Throat). However, when you fall sick – get a cold, a sinus infection, etc., the mucus secretion increases. This is when you start to feel a big lump in your throat and find your nose running. This is your body’s natural response to push out the excess mucus but can cause an uncomfortable feeling for you.

This feeling right there is the post nasal drip!

So, how do essential oils help here?

Essential oils have been all the rage in the last decade or so, thanks to the emergence of spas, aromatherapy, calming candles, and more. But they are definitely not a new invention since my 81-year-old grandfather has been using them for as long as he can remember.

Essential oils are basically highly concentrated plant extracts. In my basic internet research, I found that you need close to 220 pounds of lavender flowers to produce just a pound of lavender essential oil. That is why these essential oils are dripping with benefits, as they retain much of the plant’s natural elements. And that is why typically you only need to use a few drops of essential oil to get the desired results.

Some essential oils have high antimicrobial properties that make them a common natural remedy for treating allergies and infections. As a matter of fact, when you use essential oils for post nasal drip they can help relieve a congested nose/ chest, clear the passageways for air, and leave a nice breezy fragrance behind. 

Let’s get to the point now – what essential oils can you use?

Now that the theory part has been explained, here’s the practical part of using essential oils for post nasal drip. Over the last year, my sister and I have tried each one of these oils whenever either of us suffered from a sinus attack or congested nose. And this is what we found:

Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus oil is known to have antiviral properties. This essential oil helps with decongestion thanks to its anti-inflammatory elements and brings almost instant relief from many of the symptoms of the most common respiratory conditions like colds, allergies, and sinusitis. WOW Eucalyptus Essential Oil did help me relieve congestion and left a nice aroma, too, that made me feel better immediately. This blend can also be used to reduce muscle pain and dispel mental fog. While I did feel more mentally energized after using this essential oil, so can vouch for the mental fog, I am yet to use it for muscle pain.

Peppermint oil

Studies show that peppermint oil is antibacterial and therefore widely used to treat nose and throat infections. The main component of peppermint oil is menthol, which you can also find in tablets used to treat cough or cold. The WOW Peppermint Essential Oil contains a good dose of menthol and has a very distinct soothing and minty smell. I used peppermint essential oil during one of my worst sinus attacks and felt a prompt improvement. The best part of this essential oil was definitely the cooling aroma that improves your mood as soon as you open the cap.

Cold soother essential oil blend

This essential oil is actually a blend of seven powerful oils - eucalyptus, wintergreen, peppermint, tea tree, basil leaf, cinnamon leaf, and myrrh. I have used this in my essential oil diffuser and loved every bit of it. This oil’s aroma is amazing and great for relieving cold symptoms like congestion. On some rare occasions I have also applied this oil (diluted in a carrier oil) directly on my chest and forehead and woken up feeling much better than the night before.

Breathe easy essential oil blend

The name says it all! This essential oil is a combination of tea tree oil, eucalyptus, lemon, grapefruit, chamomile, frankincense, and peppermint, which make it one of the best essential oils for post nasal drip. I found this essential oil blend particularly helpful with seasonal allergies. I also recommended it to a friend with asthma and it received only praise.

Explore the WOW website for more natural essential oils. 

Sources:

• https://www.verywellhealth.com/home-remedies-for-post-nasal-drip-1191967
• https://www.verywellhealth.com/what-causes-post-nasal-drip-1191969
• https://www.webmd.com/allergies/postnasal-drip
• https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/essential-oils/index.cfm
• https://motherhoodcommunity.com/essential-oils-for-post-nasal-drip/
• https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324570
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/
• https://www.thechic.us/a-scientific-introduction-to-the-benefits-of-essential-oils/
• https://www.parsleyhealth.com/blog/do-essential-oils-work/