Eucalyptus Oil in Humidifier for Sinus cure

I have read that Eucalyptus Oil is a recommended for various respiratory maladies. I am on CPAP machine for
the last 5 months. Being subject of occasional Sinus attacks I wonder if it will be OK if I were to use a drop
or two of Eucalyptus Oil in the humidifier water, when Sinus symptoms sets in? Is there any ill-effects due to
this kind of therapy in the long-run? Thanks in advance for your comments.

I, personally, would never put anything in my humidifier water.

Some here use "Pur Sleep" (http://www.pursleep.com - I think it is) and there may be a Euctalyptus one in that product which would be safer, I would think.

Eucalyptus oil does not provide any significant benefit and over time will "gum up" your humidifier tank.

I don't know what you mean by sinus attacks. If you are talking about nasal congestion, please read this thread, in particular, Dr. Falcon's recommendations: viewtopic.php?f=1&t=36483&st=0&sk=t&sd=a .

If you truly have bacterial sinus infections, you need to seek immediate treatment from a doctor.

Good luck.

ardneham wrote:I have read that Eucalyptus Oil is a recommended for various respiratory maladies. I am on CPAP machine for the last 5 months. Being subject of occasional Sinus attacks I wonder if it will be OK if I were to use a drop
or two of Eucalyptus Oil in the humidifier water, when Sinus symptoms sets in? Is there any ill-effects due to
this kind of therapy in the long-run? Thanks in advance for your comments.

I agree with Hawthorne and wouldn't put anything in the humidifier except water. If you want to try eucalyptus oil (or any other scent, for that matter), put a drop or two on a cotton ball, and set it near the machine's air-intake/filter.

ardneham wrote: wonder if it will be OK if I were to use a drop
or two of Eucalyptus Oil in the humidifier water, when Sinus symptoms sets in?

Ardneham - in the manual of my humidifier it clearly states that only water may be used.

I would suggest not putting anything in the water as not only can it ruin your equipment but remember that whatever you put in it is going directly into your lungs. There is nothing other than medical inhalers that should ever be used in your lungs. I have recently been diagnosed with asthma and it is the most uncomfortable feeling I have ever had and will never be able to get rid of it, so please don't take any chances.

ardneham wrote:will be OK if I were to use a drop orr two of Eucalyptus Oil in the humidifier water

In a word... no!

As advised above, don't put anything but clean water in your humidifier.

Cheers,

Bill

I'm with Bleeping Beauty -- If I want a fragrance (sometimes lavender) I put a drop on a piece of tissue near the air intake. I might try eucalyptus, now, since I sometimes have a stuffy nose.

Any material that creates a "vapor" can be VERY dangerous. It lowers your oxygen intake and in some incidences can even suffocate you...that wouldn't happen here with just a drop, but not a good idea when you are dealing with pressure and an enclosed system (cpap, etc.)

.
As jimlux and bleeping beauty already said . . . anytime you want any fragrance, including eucalyptus, merely put a couple drops on a cotton ball and place it on a little dish right next to the air intake (where your CPAP filters are). No need to every put anything in the humidifier!

Joy

Having experimented extensively with aromatics and CPAP, the main reason you want to avoid direct contact with your equipment is that most essential oils have a distinct solvent effect when in contact with plastics. Essential oils melt plastic and will ruin your humidifier tank. Perhaps more important because they dissolve plastic you may be opening yourself up to exposure to a who-knows-what Witches Brew.

The second comment is that having studied essential oils and the various therapeutic claims associated with them, I would recommend a high degree of skepticism of claims that essential oils have a therapeutic effect on any disease. Beyond being pleasant and relaxing, essential oils have not been shown to cure diseases, congestion, or help you recover from a sinus infection or cold. But they are extremely relaxing and comforting to the mind and body.

That's why I have developed the PurSleep product. Nothing touches the equipment and the essential oils have been custom formulated to facilitate relaxation in connection with xPAP.

Wow--that last one was Post 1001 for me....

But.....
At least on a Respironics system one, the humidifier tank is downstream of the air pump/fan. It would seem to me better to have it there than having in drawn through the fan which is what happens when you put a vaporizing disc near the air intake

Eucalyptol, the chief constituent of oil of eycalyptus is insoluble in water. If you put it in your humidifier water it will just float on the surface of the water in one big drop with little surface area exposed to the air. I looked up the toxicology info on eycalyptol and most references say it "may" be safe to inhale. And it IS used in mouthwash (Listerine) cough drops and a number of other consumer products and cosmetics. Insects sure don't like it, though.

That said, its never a good idea to inhale anything you wouldn't inject into your bloodstream, because that's where it will end up. And eucalyptol has significant IM and SCU toxicity. Here's one reference: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ingred ... d06=702358

If you really think it's worth the unknown risk, I like the one drop on a cotton ball placed near the air intake idear.