The 7 Best Essential Oils for Allergies: Relief the Way Nature Intended
Allergies got you down? Want to know the best essential oils for allergies?
There are 7 all-natural essential oils that can work wonders for allergy sufferers. This is due to the oils’ ability to detoxify, kill bad bacteria, enhance the immune system, help decrease inflammation caused by allergens and so much more. Research has found that the best essential oils for allergies are:
- Peppermint Essential Oil
- Tea Tree Essential Oil
- Basil Essential Oil
- Lemon Essential Oil
- Lavender Essential Oil
- Eucalyptus Essential Oil
- Frankincense Essential Oil
Are you just one more sneeze away from being booted from the carpool? Have you become deaf to the sound of your own sniffles? Well, if you are looking for natural, drug-free relief from seasonal and other allergies, we have a few suggestions!
I have suffered, off and on, for most of my life with allergies. For most of my childhood, I endured weekly allergy shots. Then, in my teens, I seemed to be bothered less and less by pollen, dust etc., so I was weaned off of the shots. For nearly two decades, all seemed right with the world.
But then, in my mid-30’s, my allergies decided to stage a comeback tour. Not wanting to return to shots, I tried the common OTC allergy staples, but my body quickly adapted, and I had to move on to the next one, and the next, and so on. Eventually, none of them worked.
Then I thought I’d try something different. If peppermint essential oil was so good for my headaches, maybe other essential oils might help me with allergies. Well, I am delighted to tell you that, indeed, essential oils worked marvelously for my allergies, and I believe they can work wonders for anyone who suffers from seasonal, pet dander… all kinds of allergies!
Essential Oils for Allergies
Many people are realizing the importance of essential oils for allergies. These oils offer relief for stubborn symptoms of seasonal allergies. Distilled from specific plants, essential oils can either be inhaled (aromatherapy) or applied directly on the skin (provided they are blended with carrier oils).
Since ancient times, essential oils have been used for controlling allergic reactions such as coughing, stuffy nose, chest congestion, skin irritation, and other allergic symptoms.
These concentrated aromatic liquids are among the most popular natural remedies for different allergies and have been used therapeutically for many centuries.
Here are the most popular essential oils for allergies:
Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint is one of the best oils for allergies. Its powerful, spicy scent of peppermint makes it ideal for clearing sinuses. It does this through its expectorant effect, which helps to unclog respiratory pathways and loosen phlegm. It also soothes coughing and congestion.
Peppermint essential oil also has anti-inflammatory properties and is thus ideal for offering relief from inflammation in the sinuses. In other words, this essential oil is perfect for offering relief from inflammations, cold, and congestion.
Peppermint oil can be used in several ways to relieve your allergy symptoms. You can diffuse a few drops in a diffuser and allow the vapor to fill the air. This helps to open up clogged respiratory pathways making it an effective aromatherapy for allergies.
Secondly, you might want to try ingesting peppermint oil, but it MUST be safely diluted as peppermint oil is extremely strong. We suggest diluting one or two drops in a large glass of water or in a warm/hot beverage such as tea or coffee.
Peppermint essential oil can also be applied directly to your skin. However, you need to apply a carrier oil (such as jojoba, coconut, etc.) to prevent skin irritation.
Tea Tree Essential Oil
This essential oil is incredibly powerful and offers a host of benefits, especially when it comes to eliminating airborne pathogens and fighting molds. It is useful in cleaning surfaces in a bid to eliminate pathogens and irritants that can aggravate allergies thanks to its antiseptic abilities.
How to use tea tree oil: This oil is mostly used to purify air and destroy bacteria that cause allergies. Simply dilute a few drops of this oil in water and add it to a spray bottle. Or, diffuse it in your favorite diffuser all around the house to combat airborne pathogens. By reducing pollutants and pathogens in your home, you can experience fewer allergic reactions.
Basil Essential Oil
This essential oil boasts some unique properties such as supporting the body’s immune system in such a way that it can fight allergens better. Allergens cause the body to overact, in a sense, and this leads to symptoms such as itching, excess mucus, congestion, etc.
Unlike most essential oils that offer relief from symptoms of allergies, basil oil assists the body in responding appropriately to allergens, thus preventing those “overreactions” which cause allergic symptoms.
Basis oil also shows promise in reducing pain and inflammation, while also detoxifying the body. This means that it fights allergic reaction inwardly rather than outwardly as it is the case with most oils.
How to use basal oil: you can easily ingest this oil (1-2 drops) since it’s derived from a tasty , but intense, herb. Add it in small amounts to soups or any dish you prefer. It should be ingested in very small amounts due to its intense flavor. You can also dilute it with coconut oil if you want to apply it on your neck or chest.
Lemon Essential Oil
Lemon oil helps with detoxification and works to keep the lymphatic system running optimally. Lemon oil is known to help cleanse the liver. When toxins accumulate and overburden the liver, the body reacts by presenting allergic symptoms.
To keep toxins levels in your body at a minimal level, try adding lemon essential oil to your diet. This oil helps your liver to clear detox from your body and boosts the immune system.
How to use lemon oil: It can be ingested to help flush out toxins and boost the immune system. Add 1-2 drops of this oil into a glass of water. It can also be diffused in the air. Lemon is one of the best essential oil for allergies that you will find.
…essential oils worked marvelously for my allergies, and I believe they can work wonders for anyone who suffers from seasonal, pet dander… all kinds of allergies!
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil is a versatile oil that can be used for many different purposes, including soothing and calming the respiratory passages. Although popularly known for its soothing effects, lavender oil is also a natural antihistamine and thus can clear respiratory passages and offer relief from nagging allergy symptoms.
Besides, it strengthens your immune system and has anti-inflammatory properties that help to offer relief from allergies that cause inflammation. Lavender can even soothe skin irritations, such as rashes, caused by allergens.
How to use lavender oil: To treat respiratory symptoms, add a few drops into your diffuser to help clear your nasal passages. To clear rashes, mix it with a carrier oil and apply it to your skin. For sinus relief, blend with a carrier oil and apply the mixture to your cheeks.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Like peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil is known to have a cooling sensation. It is one of the most powerful and versatile essential oils for allergies thanks to its anti-microbial properties.
By promoting de-congestion, clearing airways, killing stubborn pathogens, and helping to get rid of phlegm, eucalyptus offers relief from common allergy symptoms. It is one of the best oils for dealing with the effects of seasonal allergies.
How to use eucalyptus oil: It can be diffused in air to kill mold spores, airborne pathogens, and bacteria that are known to cause allergies. You can also combine it with coconut oil and peppermint oil to create a respiratory rub to clear chest congestion. To do this, add a few drops of eucalyptus and peppermint oil to coconut oil (carrier oil), then rub on your chest to clear congestion.
Frankincense Essential Oil
This essential oil offers respiratory relief thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. This means it can keep allergen-induced inflammation in your body to a minimum.
Frankincense also promotes cell regeneration, thus enhancing health at the cellular level making it one of the best essential oils for allergies.
How to use frankincense oil: This is a mild oil and blends well with lavender oil. Add a few drops of lavender oil and frankincense to a carrier oil, such as coconut, and apply it to your chest. Or, as aromatherapy for allergies, diffuse it to fight airborne pathogens. Diffused Eucalyptus is incredible for helping to keep your sinuses clear.
In closing…
I strongly believe that essential oils can be helpful for seasonal allergies. I can definitely vouch for the oils on this list in regards to my own experiences. They are certainly worth a try, especially if you are looking for drug-free remedies.
Try experimenting with different blends until you find a combination that keeps you comfortable and reduces the effects of allergens. There are endless possibilities of the powerful blends that you can create. I hope you find relief this allergy season!