Is it effective to use essential balm for a stuffy nose?

Generally, nasal congestion refers to a stuffy nose. Using essential balm (Fengyoujing) for nasal congestion is usually ineffective. Patients are advised to follow medical advice and use appropriate medications for treatment. The detailed analysis is as follows:

Nasal congestion occurs when tissues in the nasal cavity, such as the inferior turbinate, become swollen or produce secretions due to inflammation, allergies, or other causes, leading to impaired breathing. It is one of the common symptoms of nasal disorders. Nasal congestion typically results from a decline in immunity caused by factors like cold exposure, fatigue, or malnutrition, which leads to bacterial infection and inflammation of the nasal mucosa. As the condition progresses, inflammation spreads and results in nasal congestion. Essential balm mainly contains methyl salicylate, camphor, menthol, eucalyptus oil, and eugenol, and has cooling, pain-relieving, wind-dispelling, and itch-relieving effects. It can be used to treat headaches, dizziness, motion sickness, and insect bites associated with colds, but it is not effective for treating nasal congestion. Moreover, its application may irritate the nasal area and worsen the symptoms of congestion. Therefore, essential balm is generally ineffective for nasal congestion.

Patients with nasal congestion should avoid consuming spicy and irritating foods and should use medications such as naphazoline hydrochloride or xylometazoline hydrochloride under the guidance of a physician.