Sneezing is in the air...
Spring is in the air… (at least for a day before we had snow on the ground again). Regardless, allergy season is upon us. Seasonal allergies are caused by the body's inability to adapt to changes in the environment and the sneezing, itchy eyes, swollen sinuses and scratchy throats can be quite miserable
My youngest seems to have developed an allergy over the last year although we aren’t exactly sure what to. She’ll get the itchy eyes, itchy nose, and scratchy throat that just seem to persist without relief. Necessity is the mother of invention, so researching I went. I found many essential oils contain anti-inflammatory properties and work like antihistamines. The combination I found to work well for us was:
- Lavender: Extracted from the flowers of Lavendula agustifolia, lavender essential oil works on both respiratory and skin allergies. It also relieves allergic reactions on the skin like contact dermatitis, itching, rashes and blisters. Apply directly over the affected area or add a few drops to a cold compress or bath water.
- Lemon: Cold pressed from the outer part of the peel, lemon essential oil has a refreshing and cleansing aroma and is known to have powerful anti-oxidant properties. Like lavender oil, it is used in the treatment of allergies because it works as a natural antihistamine. Lemon oil can also be inhaled and/or diffused for aromatherapy.
- Lemongrass: This essential oil is extracted through the process of steam distillation of dried lemongrass. Lemongrass is known by the scientific names Cymbopogon Citratus. It is a tonic in a very clear sense. It tones all the systems functioning in the body, such as respiratory system, digestive system, nervous system and excretory system and facilitates absorption of nutrients providing strength and boosting the immune system. It helps calm irritations, inflammation and itchy skin.
- Peppermint: This essential oil has numerous health benefits that have been studied and proved by the scientific community. It is also an effective expectorant and provides instantaneous relief for numerous respiratory problems including nasal congestion, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, cold and cough. When it is applied to the chest, they can quickly remove nasal and respiratory congestion. In one study, the use of peppermint oil proved to be antispasmodic, expectorant, and anti-inflammatory. It clears the respiratory tract and stimulates mental clarity.
- Ameo Proshield (Protective Blend): This blend contains Essential Oils like Clove, Cinnamon, Lemongrass, Orange, Lemon, Rosemary, and Eucalyptus Radiata, ProShield has a sizeable amount of cleansing properties. It also assists in protecting cells from damaging free radicals and promotes normal respiratory function. You can take it internal or diffuse a few drop for aromatherapy.
- Tea Tree: Also known as melaleuca, it has both antibacterial and antiviral properties, making it a great natural choice in the treatment of common allergy symptoms, particularly in clearing nasal and bronchial passages, as tea tree oil is an expectorant. This makes for a great potential natural alternative to over the counter antihistamine medications.How to use tea tree oil to treat allergies: Add 10-20 drops to a room vaporizer and diffuse in an environment (or during allergy season) when allergies commonly present themselves. Put 3-5 drops on the bottoms of feet, chest and throat every morning, particularly during high allergy season.
Allergy Recipe:
- Lemon
- Lemongrass
- Lavender
- Peppermint
Place 2 drops of each oil into a capsule and swallow. It is so effective, benefits can be experienced within the next 15 minutes.
Diffusing:
Use any combination of the oil mentioned above in a diffuser for traditional aromatherapy. A congested nose is a common symptom of allergies. These ingredients will help relax and open the airways and tissues of the nose, throat, and lungs. They will help reduce inflammation of the mucous membranes. Diffusing this a popular application but you can also apply it topically when blended with a carrier oil like almond oil or avocado oil. Simply rub it onto your chest and around your collarbones and inhale.
The simple act of inhaling Essential Oils can bring in great relief. Diffusing them into the air can help you avoid unwanted odors and problems cause by unwanted pathogens. Learning about the potential that Essential Oils offer, I hope you will give them a try. With a bit of patience and experimentation, Essential oils can be extremely helpful with a wide range of issues related to allergies. So the next time you feel a tickling in the nose or itching of the skin or eyes, turn to your essential oil stash for relief.