Treating allergies can be a difficult task, but essential oils offer an effective and natural way to find relief. With the right combination of essential oils, users can reduce their allergic reactions in a safe and comfortable manner.
Essential oils provide many benefits, including the ability to target specific symptoms like sneezing and congestion, reduce inflammation, boost the immune system, and even help prevent future allergic reactions.
Using essential oils for treating allergies may be the answer you’ve been looking for - I know that I have personally found great relief using them!
What Causes Allergies?
Allergies are caused by an overt histamine response that can be triggered by food, environmental chemicals, pollen, pet dander, dust, mites, insect bites, etc.
Reactions to these factors can result in the following:
• Digestive – diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, excessive bloating
• Mouth – swelling of the lips and tongue, itchiness of the mouth or lips
• Nose – sneezing, congestion, runny nose, stuffy nose, bloody nose
• Respiratory – wheezing or labored breathing
• Skin – rashes, welts, and other skin reactions
Food Allergies Vs. Food Intolerances
Many people believe that food allergies and food intolerances are the same, but they’re actually different!
Food allergies constitute an immune response like hives, swelling, itchiness, or wheezing, while food intolerances cause gastrointestinal reactions like gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.
Those who have a reaction to peanuts or strawberries have a food allergy to those foods.
Those who get gas or diarrhea from consuming dairy products like milk and cheese have a food intolerance.
Seasonal allergies like hay fever are triggered by airborne or environmental allergens like pollen, animal hair/saliva, feathers, dust mites, etc., which cause the body to release histamines. This results in inflammation in the sinuses and lungs and causes watery red eyes, runny nose, sneezing, wheezing, and coughing associated with allergies.
The Best Essential Oils for Allergies
Essential oils can be used for the symptoms of both food-borne and environmental allergies, but they do not prevent food allergies.
If you’re allergic to peanuts and you eat them thinking that essential oils will prevent a reaction, you are WRONG. You will still need to use an epi-pen.
However, they CAN help mitigate some of the symptoms after exposure in regard to food allergies and intolerances.
As for seasonal allergies, essential oils are quite good at controlling symptoms, and I personally use a nasal inhaler during allergy season to help keep my sinuses and lungs in tip-top shape.
You can learn how to make my SOS allergy inhaler here.
What Essential Oil is Good for Allergies?
Certain essential oils are particularly well-suited for treating allergies, such as eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, lemon oil, and tea tree oil.
Eucalyptus oil is great for reducing congestion in the sinuses and lungs; lavender oil can reduce inflammation and itching; peppermint oil can help clear a stuffy nose; lemon oil is known to boost the immune system and help fight off infection; while tea tree oil is an all-natural antihistamine that can help reduce sneezing.
All of these essential oils offer powerful benefits when used correctly and can help mitigate allergen triggers, airborne pathogens, bacteria, and fungi.
Here are the best essential oils for treating allergies naturally:
- Elemi - skin - eczema and psoriasis
- Eucalyptus radiata – sinus and respiratory (bronchitis, asthma, and general clearing of the throat)
- Lavender – sinus and respiratory, skin
- Ledum - digestive
- Lemon - seasonal allergies (pollen, molds, and spores often trigger allergies) also good for lymphatic system drainage, which helps the body eliminate allergens
- Melissa - skin
- Patchouli - digestive - especially good for cramping and vomiting
- Peppermint – digestive, sinus, circulation, and respiratory (peppermint oil will add a clarifying and cooling effect and instill anti-inflammatory properties to your preparation)
- Roman chamomile - skin
- Spikenard - sinus
- Tea tree – skin, sinus, and respiratory (tea tree oil is one of my favorites!)
Frankincense and sandalwood essential oil are also excellent choices for managing allergy symptoms and reducing inflammatory responses.
Essential Oil Recipes for Allergies
Recommended Blend #1
For sinus and respiratory allergies, diffuse 5-10 drops of peppermint essential oil 2-3x daily.
Recommended Blend #2
- 1 drop elemi
- 2 drops myrrh
- 3 drops lavender
- 3 drops Roman chamomile
Dilute in 2 teaspoon carrier oil (like sweet almond or coconut oil) and apply a small amount on skin rashes, hives, and welts 2x daily.
Recommended Blend #3
- 2 drops lavender
- 2 drops lemon
- 2 drops peppermint
Add each essential oil to a personal nasal inhaler or nasal spray (diluted in distilled water) and use it as needed. You can also add these oils to a bowl of warm water and drape a towel over your head to inhale the scent of the oils.
Adding a drop or two of eucalyptus essential oil (I like radiata) will add a cooling and clarifying effect. I like to use it by adding a few drops of eucalyptus oil into a Himalayan salt inhaler.
This helps dry excess mucus and clear the nasal and bronchial passageways.
Frequently Asked Questions About Aromatherapy for Allergies
What essential oils are good for relieving allergies?
Essential oils that are particularly good for relieving allergies include eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, peppermint oil, lemon oil, and tea tree oil.
Eucalyptus oil is known to reduce congestion associated with allergies; lavender oil can reduce the inflammatory response of allergens and itching; peppermint oil is great for clearing a stuffy nose; lemon oil can boost the immune system and help fight off infection; while tea tree oil is an all-natural antihistamine that can help reduce sneezing.
Each of these essential oils offers unique benefits when used properly.
Where do you put essential oils for allergies?
Essential oils for allergies can be used in various ways, including diffusing them into the air with a diffuser or applying them topically to the skin.
Diffusing essential oils is a great way to help relieve congestion associated with allergies and other respiratory problems; add several drops of the chosen oil to a diffuser full of water and turn it on.
Applying essential oils topically can also be beneficial; blend several drops of the oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil and apply it directly to your chest and temples.
Both of these methods are safe, natural options for relieving allergy symptoms.
Do essential oil diffusers help with allergies?
Yes! Essential oil diffusers can help with allergies.
Diffusing essential oils is a great way to help reduce congestion associated with allergies and other respiratory problems; add several drops of the chosen oil to a diffuser full of water and turn it on.
The scent of the essential oils then enters the air and when inhaled, helps to soothe symptoms often associated with allergies, such as a stuffy nose or sneezing.
Which essential oil is good to diffuse for allergies?
For allergies, some of the most popular essential oils to diffuse are lavender oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, and tea tree oil.
Lavender is known for its calming effects and can be helpful in reducing stress or anxiety brought on by allergies.
Eucalyptus has a menthol-like scent that helps open up airways which are great for relieving congestion associated with allergies.
Peppermint has a cooling and refreshing effect that can help soothe inflammation caused by allergies.
Tea tree oil is known for its potent anti-inflammatory effects and can help reduce redness and itching associated with allergies.
Which diffuser is best for allergies?
When it comes to diffusers, the most popular types are ultrasonic diffusers and nebulizing diffusers.
Ultrasonic diffusers use ultrasonic vibrations to create a fine mist of essential oil molecules that remain suspended in the air for longer periods of time. This makes them great for filling large areas with scent quickly and efficiently.
You can get my favorite ultrasonic diffuser HERE.
Nebulizing diffusers do not require water or heat and disperse essential oils into a fine, concentrated mist that effectively fills the room with scent but can be more costly than other types of diffusers.
You can get my favorite nebulizing diffuser HERE.
Both types of diffusers are beneficial for relieving allergies, so choosing one largely depends on budget, space, and preferences.
How do you mix essential oils for allergies?
When mixing essential oils for allergies, it’s important to use carrier oils such as grapeseed oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil.
Start off with 1 TB of carrier oil, and then add six drops total of your chosen essential oils (like two lemon, two peppermint, and two lavender).
I prefer to use a nasal inhaler since you don't need to apply the EOs at all to get full benefits.
Combine the two together and apply this blend to areas like the chest, neck, temples and/or wrists.
Be sure not to use too much in one area, as it can cause skin irritation.
When done properly, this blend can give you relief from allergy symptoms.
You may also enjoy reading:
Essential Oil Quick Usage Guide
Beginners Guide to Essential Oils- Part 1
Seasonal Allergy Blend- Three Different Ways!
How to Treat Seasonal Allergies Naturally
Leave a Reply