Back from vacation, your nose is blocked? The return to pollution perhaps or the consequence of a small virus brought back in your suitcases. In any case, a blocked nose can quickly be resolved with a good essential oil. Which one to choose? The ideal way to unblock your nose is to turn to a decongestant and vasoconstrictor essential oil like peppermint. Thanks to the menthol it contains, it will act quickly on decongesting the nose and reduce the edema responsible for nasal congestion. But be careful to use it correctly because it has several contraindications.
Peppermint essential oil is therefore prohibited for children under the age of 8, but also for people allergic to mint, pregnant and breastfeeding women. Epileptics or asthmatics should first seek advice from their doctor before using it. It is also not recommended in cases of estrogen-dependent cancers or mastosis, gallstones, inflammation of the gallbladder, serious liver disorders, hypertension and in cases of significant cardiovascular problems.
If you are not one of these cases, you can use peppermint essential oil very easily. Either by pouring 2 drops on a handkerchief (or a support dedicated to the diffusion of essential oils) and breathing it; or by using it orally, that is to say by mouth. In this case, you must pour 2 drops on a teaspoon of honey, a piece of sugar, bread or in a herbal tea, without exceeding 5 drops per day. Remember that peppermint essential oil is never used pure.
If in addition to a blocked nose, you cough, you can put 1 or 2 drops of peppermint with 1 or 2 drops of Scots pine (mucolytic and expectorant) in a bowl of hot but not boiling water and let the scent of the oils diffuse in the room. In addition to essential oils, taking zinc, thyme herbal teas, paracetamol and rest can help to better tolerate cold symptoms. On the other hand, you should avoid using vasoconstrictor drugs, known to unblock the nose but associated with dangerous side effects and contested by the Medicines Agency.