Essential Oils for allergies
Published on December 9, 2024
Essential oils for allergies
Essential oils have been explored for many health-related things but essential oils for allergies? Even though it might sound a bit astonishing but somehow does make sense that essential oils for allergies might actually work, how is the question.
Allergy rhinitis today affects almost 30% of the human population, and there are times when it leads to a severe complication, thus finding a smooth and calming remedy to
People have time and again come back to plants for their backbone, the essential oils that are distilled from these plants, and extracted in a concentrated form. The use of these essential oils although haven’t been explored properly yet, but they claim to have medicinal properties.
With the allergy seasons coming in the late winter or spring, it is better to be all ready for it. Allergies are particular to an individual, and its effects vary from person to person. The use of essential oils for these irritating symptoms of allergy as natural remedies sounds interesting, don’t you think?
So let see how essential oils for allergies can help us and what are the various kinds of essential oils that one can use for an effective result.
WHAT ARE ALLERGIES?
Allergy is a clinical condition that mainly occurs due to the over-action of our bodies’ immune system on certain substances found in the environment. Most of the allergic reactions are harmless and treatable, but there is no permanent solution to allergies.
There are certain triggering substances that actually are the leading cause of the allergy, and these substances are specific for an individual.
Not all of us are allergic to these substances; most of the common allergens are pollen, dust, molds, food, etc.
Symptoms of allergy:
As allergies are also categorized into various kinds, their symptoms also change accordingly. Some of the types of allergies are food allergy, dust allergy, pollen allergy, skin allergy, etc.
ESSENTIAL OILS FOR ALLERGIES
Many essential oils claim to help effectively soothe the effects of allergies. The use of essential oils for allergy as an alternative treatment for the symptoms has been in trend for very long.
Not all essential oils are suitable for the allergies and are not aromatic in nature; thus, its better to know about the essential oils properties and claims before using it. Below I have listed 5 of the most popular essential oils for allergies.
Lavenders are known for their aromatic properties and healing properties.
In general, Lavender is used to reducing inflammation and induce sleep but has also been used for allergic reactions.
Lavender essential oils are extremely useful for skin and skincare problems, thus to improves the condition of rashes or swelling.
It does so by making the skin clammier and soothingly treats the rashes, its relaxing properties. It gives a calming effect on us, thus are highly recommended.
Lavender is known to have anti-histamine and anti-inflammation properties and thus helps with allergic reactions.
How to use lavender essential oil for allergies
Inhaling it- use lavender oil for allergies by inhaling the oil from a diffuser or by steam inhalation.
All you need to do is take 5-6 drops of essential oil+ 30 ml of water, put it in the diffuser or boil water, add the drops of oil, and inhale it as steam.
Topical application- It is not suggested to use essential oils directly onto the skin, but you are looking for a soothing effect and are irritated by the allergic reaction, then you can apply drops of the essential oils on pluses.
Take 2-3 drops of lavender essential oil and pat on your hand and behind your ears, try to inhale the essential oil from the palm or lay back and sleep.
This is another such essential oil that is well known for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Eucalyptus is also reported to help with a sore through and other sinus problems.
There use for allergies has been a significant discovery, and there is research that supports it.
There are studies that report the use of eucalyptus essential oil for any infections in the upper respiratory tract, and the study says the blended form of oils was more affected to treat sore throat and cough [1].
Cough and any upper respiratory problems are few of the symptoms of allergy, and thus eucalyptus reducing these helps us to deal with allergies as well.
It is said that this oils help in treating throat problems by breaking up the mucus and phlegm in the respiratory tract and helps in clearing our sinuses that eventually helps us to breathe better
How to use eucalyptus essential oil for allergies:
- Use in a diffuser: Use of a diffuser to spread it in the room 15 mins before you go to sleep will make you feel better.
Take 4-5 drops of eucalputus+ rosemary+peppermint and add it in water and put it in the diffuser.
- Inhale it- Inhaling is known to be the best way to use eucalyptus essential oil.
Pour some boiling water in a container and add 3-4 drops of the essential oil and inhale the steam coming out of it.
- Apply it- the topical application can be made on concentrated areas on palm, ears and nose, chest, and neck.
As it is concentrated use of just 2 drops would be enough for each part.
The strong, fresh, and minty smell of peppermint can do wonders for your brain and overall system. Refreshing aroma is said to have a decisive role in enhancing one central nervous system and activating it properly, making us feel alive and refreshed.
The combination of other useful essential oils in a blended form along with peppermint oil helps in soothing the allergic symptoms effectively.
The common symptoms such as fatigue and irritation in the throat with induced anxiety that are quite familiar with the allergic reactions are said to be reduced by the use of peppermint oil stated by few researchers [2].
Researchers have also seen positive results in improving throat problems such as coughing using the peppermint essential oil, which is very frequently used in allergic reactions. Although the results were based on the studies on rats, but it shows potential [3]. It shows how the oil helps to open up the smooth muscles that are involved in coughing.
How to use peppermint oil for allergies
- Inhale it- as mentioned earlier, inhaling any essential oil is better than applying it directly.
Add 5-6 drops of peppermint oil+basil+lemon in a diffuser or in boiling water and inhale it.
- Topical application- Use as a Vapor Rub on your chest and neck by mixing the essential oil with some carrier oil such as coconut or olive oil.
Lemon are quite frequently used for refreshment, and due to its aromatic abilities, it also has the properties of boosting up our system and awaken our senses.
But due to its acidic properties, it said to have adverse side effects if exposed to light once applied on the skin; it can cause sunburn. So using it carefully is equally important.
Lemon essential oils are very much in use for allergies due to its anti-histamine properties; they are also frequently used in nasal sprays, and researchers have found that these sprays with lemon essential oils have helped with respiratory problems and also seasonal allergic rhinitis[4].
It is also used as an anti-microbial agent and thus used for disinfecting surfaces.
How to use lemon essential oils for allergy:
- Inhalation: Use it in diffusion. Lemon oils are specifically used or suggested to be used only for diffusion and not preferred for topical application.
The combination of lavender oil, peppermint along with lemon essential oils, 6-7 drops each are said to work marvelously.
Tea tree oils have anti-bacterial and anti-microbial properties and are highly suggested for inhibiting allergies or clam the symptoms of allergies.
It helps and supports the adrenal glands and reduces the inflammation. It also helps to reduce skin allergies symptoms.
How to use tea tree essential oil for allergy
Topical application- It is best used it applied topically, but doing a patch test is important and crucial.
Although directly concentrated extracts of tea tree oil or any essential oil should be avoided but if applied only on the concerned area can be helpful
Use 2-3 drops of the oil onto a clean cotton and apple on the areas of concern.
Other essential oils that can be used for allergies:
Most effective and popular way to use essential oils
There are mainly three ways essential oils can be used- inhalation, ingestion, and topical application.
Out of all these three, the most useful and safest way to use essential oils for any purpose, especially for allergies, would be the inhalation process.
Inhalation is the use of essential oils either by diffusing it or directly inhaling it. One of the dominant ways of inhaling essential oils is by the art of aromatherapy, which allows one to intake the magical aroma of the essential oils and let them work wonders in our body.
Points to keep in mind:
- The way to use essential oils depends on the purpose or the problem that you want to solve.
If you want your breathing problem to be gone or irritated in your throat or want to deal with sleep disorders and energy, it’s preferred to use the inhalation form of essential oils.
Inhalation gives quick response and is the faster route for any respiratory or neurological issues.
- The topical use of essential oils are more preferred if you want to treat any skin problems such as rashes, redness, itchiness.
The topical route is best for these problems of allergy as it gets absorbed in the body very easily if applied concentrated form; if diluted, then the permeability is slow, and it acts on the wound/the problematic area for a more extended period of time thereby healing the area.
PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS FOR ALLERGIES
Bottom line
Even though there are a lot of words out there for the use and wonders of essential oils for allergies and their therapeutic properties to treat the symptoms with full efficiency, it is necessary to remember that not all the essential oils work the same way on every individual and they are also not strongly backed up with research work.
Thus consulting a proper doctor or a professional who has an idea on it is always suggested. The irritation due to the seasonal changes can be quite intolerable, and essential oils have a calming and soothing effect on our bodies and refresh our system and brain. This relief that the essential oils provide us with makes it more preferable and useable.
Although the use of essential oils are hardly dangerous unless proper precautions are taken, thus one can always give it a try and see if any of the essential oils work for them.
