“Blossom by blossom the spring begins.”
— Algernon Charles Swinburne
Unless you have allergies and then it’s blossom by blossom, your sneezes begin.
Are you tired of walking around like a zombie high on over-the-counter allergy meds? Can’t finish a sentence without sneezing? Are you always searching for more Kleenex at the bottom of your purse because your supply is never big enough? Then it’s time to go au-natural and try essential oil for seasonal allergies.
For most people, spring means new flowers, longer days, and bluer skies. All the lovely things that make you forget the horrors of winter. But if you suffer from allergies, then spring kind of sucks.
It means hay fever, itchy eyes, and the ever-so-fun madness of an alternating stuffy-runny-sneezy nose.
Not sure what are the best essential oils to treat allergies?
Don’t worry. This blog has everything you need to know, so let’s get started…
What are Essential Oils and How do They Work?
Essential oils are concentrated liquids distilled from plants and have been used medicinally for centuries. Pure essential oils stimulate the olfactory nerves, which are directly linked to the brain. Each scent stimulates a different section.
Allergies trigger inflammation in the body, especially in the nasal sinuses and lungs. If you reduce the inflammation, the allergy symptoms can be reduced as well.
Certain essential oils are fabulous at fighting inflammation and are a perfect remedy to ease your seasonal allergies.
Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies
Everyone reacts differently to allergens. But these are the most common allergy symptoms:
Nasal congestion
Sneezing
Runny nose
Coughing
Wheezing
Itchy throat
Itchy watery eyes
Itchy skin (so much itching)
Hives
Fatigue
Best Essential Oils for Allergies
One of the critical aspects of these essential oils is their ability to reduce swelling in the body. That is the first line of defense needed to stop all the miserable feelings you get when your allergies flare up.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint is part of the menthol family, which is known to reduce headaches and open the sinuses. When you inhale it, it’ll also help loosen phlegm and suppress coughing.
It has also been shown to help lessen fatigue and anxiety—a win-win.
Hot tip: Most insects can’t stand the smell of peppermint. Mix a few drops with water and spray around the house.
Frankincense Oil
One of the main elements of frankincense is its ability to open the lungs by reducing inflammation, allowing you to breathe easier and cough less. All the things you want when experiencing allergic reactions. It’s one of the best essential oils for allergies and asthma.
Hot Tip: Frankincense is known as the “king of oils” because of its versatility. It has anti-aging properties and promotes cell function, which creates healthier looking skin.
Eucalyptus Oil
Like peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil opens the entire respiratory system because of its anti-inflammatory properties and allows easier breathing. And since easy breathing is good, so is eucalyptus.
It has also been shown to diminish hoarseness and sore throats.
Hot Tip: The Australian aborigines have been using eucalyptus for centuries to treat minor skin irritations and prevent infection. And you can too. Just be sure to dilute it before applying, and don’t apply it to a large open wound.
Lavender Oil
Wondering what essential oil is an antihistamine? Not surprisingly, it’s lavender, and it’s one of the best essential oils for allergies and itchy eyes.
If you have skin allergies, try applying lavender oil to the area. It’s a calming essential oil for an itchy skin rash and is very gentle on the skin.
Hot Tip:
Even when you don’t need allergy relief, use lavender oil just before going to bed. It encourages relaxation and deep sleep. Plus, it smells divine.
It can be used directly on the skin or added to baths and lotions.
Lemon Oil
Not only does lemon essential oil reduce inflammation it’s also a natural antihistamine. It relieves excess mucus and inhibits bacteria from growing.
You can use lemon essential oils for mold allergies. It can be mixed with vinegar and water and sprayed on mold-prone areas in your home.
Hot Tip: Don’t put any citrus-based essential oil directly on your skin before heading out into the sun. They can make your skin more sensitive and susceptible to sunlight and may cause burns.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is one of those wonder essential oils and can be used for many treatments–not just for allergies. It’s antifungal, antiviral, and has antibacterial elements.
Hot Tip: Tea tree oil is pretty powerful. Before you use it on your skin, mix it with a basic carrier oil like coconut, sweet almond, or jojoba oil and do a patch test. Do not ingest it.
Chamomile Oil
Chamomile oil, like the tea, is calming and relaxing. It’s good for relieving headaches, eases inflammation of the mucus membranes, and can be used for skin allergies.
It’s also an antispasmodic which means it keeps those dreaded coughing fits at bay.
Hot Tip: If you have a ragweed allergy, don’t use chamomile. It’s in the same family and can make your allergies worse.
The good news is you can use one of these oils to reduce your allergy misery or try a ready-made essential oil blend for allergies.
What To Look For When Buying Essential Oils
Not all essential oils are the same. And with the trend of using essential oils becoming more common, some are less than pure.
Here are a few tips to help you purchase the best quality essential oils for allergies and everyday use.
1. The bottles should only be dark brown or amber glass. Light and heat can damage the oils, so it must be a dark amber color to prevent spoilage.
2. The label should have the common and Latin name.
3. The price should be similar to all other brands. If it’s too low, it’s a fake.
4. If all else fails, you can do a purity test by placing a drop of oil on construction paper. If the oil leaves a ring after about 15 minutes, it’s not pure.
How to Safely Use Essential Oils for Allergies
Don’t rush into using essential oil for allergies without knowing how to use them safely and correctly. The best methods for using oils are:
Diffusers
This is the most popular and safest way to use your essential oils. You mix a few drops of oil with water and add the liquid to the diffuser. It infuses the air with the oil’s aroma, and you inhale it throughout the day.
Some of our fave diffusers are from Plant Therapy.
There are a lot of diffuser recipes specifically for allergies. The most common essential oil allergy bomb is 2 drops of lemon, peppermint, and lavender oils. Mix together with water and diffuse.
Direct Inhalation
Inhalation is the quickest way to soothe your seasonal allergies and boost your immune system using essential oils.
One method is to add a drop or two to a cotton ball and breath through your nose. Or add it to a cloth or handkerchief and breathe.
You can give yourself a steam facial by adding a few drops to a pot of steaming water. Lean over the bowl. Cover it and your head with a towel and inhale. As you inhale the steam, it will open your lungs and nasal passages.
Another option is the shower method. Add a few drops to the shower floor and let the steam diffuse it.
While it may seem like the easiest, it’s not a good idea to inhale directly from the bottle because it can burn your nasal membranes if you inhale too much or too quickly.
Topically
It is always recommended to mix the essential oil with a carrier oil before applying it directly to your skin. A good safe ratio is two drops of oil to one tablespoon of carrier oil.
Do’s and Dont’s of Essential Oils
If you have allergies, essential oils could be the answer. But just because they are natural doesn’t mean they don’t have risks or side effects. To minimize the risks, it is essential to buy from trusted sources.
But also follow these tips:
1. Follow the instructions carefully. Using too much of certain oils can be harmful, even fatal, so no guessing how to use them.
2. Don’t take them internally.
3. Don’t apply them directly to your skin without diluting them with a carrier oil.
4. Believe it or not, some people have essential oil allergies. Always do a patch test first just to be sure. It’s not just tea tree oil that is potent; lavender allergies are not unheard of. If there is no reaction after 24 hours, it should be safe to use.
5. It’s advisable to speak to a doctor before you jump into using essential oils. They aren’t regulated by the FDA and should be used with caution.
6. Use caution if using essential oils around children and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
The Final Sneeze
Although there is no cure for allergies, using essential oils may help alleviate the misery. You don’t have to suffer.
Unfortunately, there is no one best essential oil for allergies. It’s not one size fits all. There are many options, and everyone’s symptoms are different. There might be some trial and error to figure out which oils work the best for you. Be patient and be curious. Try the blends to see if you can maximize every inhalation.
The best allergy essential oils can be used year-round. There is no need to wait until spring to pull out the lavender, do it now, and reap the benefits all year long.
Medical Disclaimer: Research suggests that using essential oils has therapeutic benefits, but they are not tested or approved by the FDA. Therefore, you have to be your own advocate and do the necessary research. Modern Aging and Kirsten Raccuia are not medical experts, nor is this medical advice.
