Essential Oils for Allergies
Share
Ah, springtime. Flowers are blooming, the sun is shining, and you can’t stop sneezing. April showers bring May flowers, and flowers bring pollen. And lots of it! For those with seasonal allergies, you know what we’re talking about. And it’s not just springtime, either. It’s whenever the seasons change. Spring just happens to be the worst time for allergies because of all the stuff people are breathing in.
For some people, over-the-counter allergy medicine works fantastically and helps resolve most of their allergy issues. But for others, it just doesn’t do the trick. Seriously, how annoying is it that allergy medicine doesn’t always help your allergies? Plus, allergy symptoms are different for everyone. Some have mild sneezing, and others have way worse problems to deal with. Here are just some of the allergy symptoms people can have:
- Sneezing
- Itchy and runny nose
- Red and itchy eyes
- Rashes
- Coughing
- Swelling
- Headaches
And this is just a shortlist. There are plenty of other issues that people have to endure! You should be enjoying the spring weather, not worrying about sneezing every two minutes. If you have seasonal allergies, there’s something you can do to help your symptoms. Did you know you can use essential oils for your allergies? It’s true! And we have all the info that you need to know.
What Causes Allergies?
You can be allergic to pretty much anything. To understand what causes allergies, we also have to understand what exactly allergies are in the first place. It all has to do with your immune system, believe it or not. Without getting too science-y, what basically happens is your immune system has a response to a foreign substance. This can be anything from pollen to bee venom or even a specific food.
Your immune system is responsible for creating antibodies. These antibodies are responsible for letting your body know when something is wrong. They identify when a substance is harmful to your body and alert it to take action. When you are allergic to something, your body creates antibodies for that substance. Your body then considers that substance to be harmful to your body, even though it really isn’t at all. The reaction to this substance causes inflammation in your skin, digestive tract, sinuses, and airways.
For some people, this might mean minor irritation that can be resolved with an antihistamine. And for others, their allergies might be a lot more severe. In severe cases, people can have anaphylaxis, which means they are deathly allergic to something. These people typically carry an EpiPen with them in case they come in contact with an allergen. As you can see, the spectrum of allergens, as well as the severity of them, can vary from person to person.
What Essential Oils Should I Use?
Not every essential oil will work, so it’s critical to know which ones have historically been the most helpful. That way, you aren’t wasting your time trying different oils with no results. Essential oils will offer the most assistance for seasonal-specific allergies or mild cases of substance allergens. They won’t help if you have developed a severe allergy to a food or other substance, for example. Let’s take a look at six essential oils that can help improve allergy symptoms:
- Lavender: This do-it-all essential oil also works on allergies. It does this by calming and reducing inflammation in the entire body.
- Certain blends: A specific blend of frankincense, sandalwood, and ravensara works to improve allergic rhinitis (itchy and runny nose). Breathing in this blend can help to unblock your nasal passages.
- Eucalyptus: This essential oil is great for when you are congested and experiencing overall inflammation in your body. People have always used eucalyptus to help open up the nasal passages and help with sinus issues, so this is nothing new.
- Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil is recognized as a wonderful anti-inflammatory. This is optimal to use for your allergies, which are directly caused by inflammation. (Side note: some people say that tea tree oil triggers their allergies, so use a small amount to start).
- Peppermint: Another great essential oil for allergies is peppermint. It works to reduce inflammation. It’s effective for helping you breathe more easily and works on your sinuses.
- Lemon: Similar to lavender, lemon is an oil that does it all. Its bright and bold citrus scent helps to open the nasal passage and calm you down. Lemon is also an incredible anti-inflammatory.
How Do I Use Essential Oils?
The great thing with essential oils is that there are a couple of different ways you can use them. However, the most popular ways to use them are either with an oil diffuser or by applying them directly to your skin. If you are having breathing issues, definitely consider using an oil diffuser so you can breathe in the essential oils. You can apply as many or as few drops as you’d like, depending on how strong you want the scent.
Then, sit near the oil diffuser and take several deep breaths. You can rest there for as long as it takes for you to start feeling some relief. If that doesn’t work, or if you simply want to try another way, you can apply the oil to your skin. There are two important things you need to know if you are going to apply the oil to your skin.
First, make sure you use a carrier oil. This can be something like coconut oil or olive oil, and you add a few drops of essential oil to the carrier. The second crucial thing is that you should try a tester patch on your skin to make sure you don’t have a reaction. If you don’t react, you can apply the oil to your temples or right under your nose to help clear up your allergy symptoms. If you prefer applying the oil to your skin, try our pain relief essential oil roll-on. This blend of oils will have you feeling better in no time!
What Else Can I Do To Help My Allergies?
By now, you know that allergies are related to the body’s immune system. This means one of the best ways you can help your allergies (and prevent them in the first place) is by boosting your immune system. One way you can do this is by eating immune-boosting foods. You can do this by eating plenty of citrus fruits, fresh ginger, turmeric, and green, leafy vegetables. Increase your vitamin C and vitamin D intake, whether it’s through food or supplements and vitamins.
Other things you can eat that are great for the immune system are honey and garlic. They are both anti-inflammatories that can help with more than just allergies. Eating them daily will help your whole body with a variety of issues. Honey also has antibacterial properties, which is why it’s so great to take when you are feeling under the weather.
If you are really struggling with your allergies (we’ve all been there), you can take over-the-counter allergy medicine, such as an antihistamine. This will work to provide relief for all of your allergy symptoms, such as a runny nose, headache, sneezing, and itching. Similarly, you can try a nasal spray if your problems are more nasal or congestion-related.
Other natural ways that help are by taking Epsom salt detox baths. You can even add a few drops of your favorite allergy-fighting essential oil to the tub to make it more effective. There are also certain herbal teas that are specifically formulated to either boost your immune system or help with allergy relief. You might have to try different remedies before finding something that truly works for you!
Allergy Alert
It’s no wonder people say essential oils can do it all. Not only can they help with things such as anxiety, insomnia, and muscle pains, but they can also help relieve allergy symptoms. This is massive news for allergy sufferers (i.e., most people in the world). Even if you are lucky enough not to have a severe substance allergy, almost everyone suffers from seasonal allergies in one way or another.
You now know that there are six main essential oils that work to fight inflammation in the body and boost your immune system. Allergies are the result of our immune system creating antibodies and alerting the body to foreign substances.
Now that you know what allergies are, it’s easier to understand how to address your symptoms. When you’re ready to kiss allergies goodbye (peace out sneezing, itching, runny nose), don’t forget to get your essential oils from Bubbly Belle!
Sources: