5 Best Essential Oils for Allergies
Allergies are an ordeal year-round. If you get cough in the Spring, or skin inflammation after petting a furry friend, allergy essential oils will help. You can keep your body in tip-top shape without unnecessary chemicals or confusing ingredients thanks to the wide range of essential oils for ailments on the market.
Coming up we’ll run through some of the best essential oils for
allergies that can help your body cope and get you back into the world. Full
speed ahead!
What
Are Essential Oils for Allergies?
So, what are essential oils for allergies
exactly? Basically, these oils are just more potent versions of the plant they
originate from. If you’re familiar with some medical history, you’ll know that
plants have been used as a form of medicine for centuries. Many have found that
certain essential oils possess abilities to help ease the symptoms of mild
allergies.
Each oil has different qualities, so you can
see which oil matches your specific needs. You can even blend a few together to
make a personalized mixture.
To use essential oils for allergies, you can
diffuse them into the air or inhale them directly from the bottle. Or, apply
them along with a carrier oil onto your skin.
Remember: Certain essential oils are too rough for sensitive skin, so you will need to take extra care so that the symptoms don’t get worse. For starters, lemon oil should not be added to your skin before going out in direct sunlight. That’s because it’s phototoxic and might give you a sunburn-like reaction.
Do
They Really Work?
Everyone is different, and everyone’s
allergies are even more different! However, for the most part, these essential
oils for allergies can offer some relief.
According to the research provided, these
essential oils work by doing a few different things. For instance, some may
open up your airways, while others possess anti-inflammatory effects. But all
of these effects may be beneficial to your allergies when used properly.
Try some out for yourself and see which blends
work the best for your body. Now, let’s see which essential oils are good for
allergies and what makes them so special.
The 5
Best Essential Oils for Allergies
1. Lavender
Lavender essential
Oil is well known for its body and mind-calming. This purple flower grows an essential oil with a soft, sweet fragrance that can help manage your allergies.
In short, lavender
essential oil is anti-inflammatory. So,
inhaling it and applying it topically may help alleviate inflamed sinuses or
skin that’s having a mild reaction.
One study using
lavender essential oil even noted that it may be able to suppress allergic
airway inflammation. They noted that, because of this, it may potentially be
used to help ease mild asthma symptoms as well.
You can also use
lavender essential oil for allergies at night. This is because it helps to
relax the mind and is anti-anxiety. This may
allow you to get a better night’s sleep away from allergies and stress.
2. Peppermint
When you’re stuffed
up, it might feel like you’re suffocating. Then, you can fall victim to sinus
headaches on top of the already uncomfortable situation. Luckily, peppermint
essential oil is there to help reduce inflammation.
The menthol in
peppermint makes for an excellent rub on your chest to ease small coughing fits
and mild congestion.
Alternatively, to help alleviate headaches and migraines, you should put some on your temples. Headaches is one of the most effective essential oils. When you suffer from headaches caused by sinus pressure, this is a winning mix, because it will help free the senses with its new, refreshing aroma.
Some studies even
show peppermint working as a mild pain reliever when applied topically, thus
benefiting headaches and minor skin reactions alike.
3. Lemon
The burst of citrus
the scent that lemon essential oil gives off can also help you with your allergies,
whether your symptoms are showing up on your skin or in your sinuses.
Basically, lemon
oil can significantly benefit your negative skin reactions by easing minor
inflammation and calming the area.
4. Eucalyptus
Similarly to peppermint,
eucalyptus essential oil is a bold-smelling oil with menthol to cool skin and
open airways. As one of the best essential oils for allergies, eucalyptus may
help alleviate some congestion via its anti-inflammatory properties.
One study using rats
showed a lot of promise. It suggested that this oil may be beneficial in
treating some flu-like symptoms and possibly mild bronchial infections as well.
Additionally, some
new research suggested that, with further study, eucalyptus essential oil may
be beneficial for regulating your immune system and immune reactions. This may
eventually benefit allergy sufferers as most allergies are your body’s
hypersensitive immune reaction to certain substances.
5. Frankincense
Frankincense is
more than just one of the most comforting essential oils for anxiety, it’s also
anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory too.
So far, there’ve
been a number of studies focusing on the tree resin that Frankincense is
derived from, each claiming its many potential benefits for your body.
One example is the
study done on its possible benefits for relieving mild asthma symptoms. It also
shows promise as an immunostimulant for minor respiratory infections.
So, whatever your
need, add in a few drops of frankincense essential oil to your blend for a
super-supportive boost. Whether you’re targeting issues with your airways or
pains from headaches, frankincense has the power to potentially help you out.
Ready
to Ease Your Allergies?
Now that you know
the best essential oils for allergies, don’t forget to incorporate them into
your routine. Keep your favorite blend handy in a glass roll-on bottle for
quick application on the go.
Alternatively, you
can mix some of these oils into your favorite unscented lotion and reap their
benefits while simultaneously keeping your skin well-hydrated.
We hope these oils help you feel far less itchy and far more fantastic!
READ NEXT – Should You Switch To The Grain Free Diet
References
Annette is a travelling journalist and humanitarian who is obsessed with green smoothies.
Since leaving California for a new adventure overseas, Annette has worked with various non-profits and focuses on communication as a tool for advocacy.
Her love of nutrition and fitness really took off six years ago when she decided to eat plant-based and ran her first half-marathon. Since then, a healthy lifestyle has been something she works hard to maintain even with a busy schedule. She believes that a healthy mind starts with what we put in our bodies. But, one thing she’ll never give up is Margarita pizza.
!function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s)
{if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod?
n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)};
if(!f._fbq)f._fbq=n;n.push=n;n.loaded=!0;n.version=’2.0′;
n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0;
t.src=v;s=b.getElementsByTagName(e)[0];
s.parentNode.insertBefore(t,s)}(window,document,’script’,
‘https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js’);
fbq(‘init’, ‘487868365361264’);
fbq(‘track’, ‘PageView’);