Seasonal Allergies Relief With Essential Oils
By: Dr. Peggy Malone
It’s spring time and the green grass and trees are reminding those with seasonal allergies as they sneeze and suffer through this otherwise beautiful time of year.
Surveys show about one-quarter of Canadians (8 million) and approximately 40 million Americans will wheeze and sneeze through the coming months suffering from seasonal allergies, and the numbers have increased in the past two decades.
Allergies are the result of over-sensitive immune systems trying to protect the body from disease and infection. They attack allergens in the same way they would a virus or bacteria.
When a person with these allergies is exposed to allergy inducing grasses or pollen, their body responds by producing histamine, which lead to a whole range of allergy symptoms.
Symptoms of allergies include itching, swelling, runny nose, asthma and sneezing. The histamine release causes the cells in the nose and throat to swell and leak fluid which results in many of the symptoms and discomfort associated with allergies.
Once a person acquires a seasonal allergy, he or she generally has it for life.
For adults, allergies (hay fever) is the 5th leading chronic disease and a major cause of work absenteeism in nearly 4 million missed or lost workdays each year, resulting in a total cost of more than $700 million in total lost productivity.
So it’s safe to say that allergies are a problem and there is not really a good ‘solution’ to this problem.
Many people live on anti-histamines and decongestants or prescription medication through allergy season. Others rely on allergy shots several times per year to get relief.
Many people are looking for a more natural alternative and I am always interested in finding and sharing natural solutions as well.
In previous posts, I have discussed the benefits of Essential Oils and their healing properties.
As it turns out, essential oils can offer a great alternative remedy for allergy sufferers in a very natural way.
By incorporating Therapeutic grade Young Living Lavender Essential Oil and Peppermint Essential Oil into your allergy arsenal, you will find this allergy season much more enjoyable.
Lavender Essential Oil for Allergy Relief
Lavender Essential Oil is a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory.
Here’s how to use Lavender Essential Oil for allergy relief:
Topically: Add 1 drop of Lavender to your cheeks, forehead and sinuses as needed. You can also apply lavender to the soles of the feet before bed.
Diffuse: Diffuse Lavender Essential Oil in a cold diffuser for 15 minutes every 2 hours. You can also diffuse lavender at your bedside while sleeping.
Inhalation: Apply 1-2 drops of Lavender to the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together and cup them over your nose. Inhale deeply 4-6 deep breaths.
Ingestion: Yes, with Pure Therapeutic Grade Young Living Lavender Essential Oil, you can ingest it internally. (It is GRAS or Generally Regarded as Safe by the FDA) If your essential oil is not Pure Therapeutic Grade, then don’t ingest it in this way.
Put 5 drops of Lavender Essential Oil in an empty supplement capsule (you can purchase these in most health food stores) and then fill the remainder of the capsule with Olive Oil. Take the capsule with milk, almond milk or rice milk 2 times per day.
The other thing to note about allergies is that chronic stress leads to chronic elevation of histamine. One of the other benefits of using Lavender Essential Oil is that it has calming, relaxing effects which will help to reduce and manage stress.
And….it smells good
Peppermint Essential Oil for Allergy Relief
Peppermint Essential Oil has analgesic (pain relief) and anti-inflammatory properties and has been used for centuries to relive nasal congestion. For some individuals, the use of peppermint oil has eliminated the need for allergy shots.
Here’s how to use Peppermint Essential Oil to get some allergy relief:
Topically: Apply 1 drop of Peppermint Essential Oil to the base of the neck 2 times/day. You can also dilute peppermint in Olive Oil or other carrier oil and apply around the nostrils (If applied at full strength, this oil may be too strong and sting the sensitive tissue of the nostrils)
Diffuse: Diffuse Peppermint Essential Oil by the bedside and throughout the day.
Inhalation: Apply 1-2 drops of Peppermint to the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together and cup them over your nose. Inhale deeply 4-6 breaths.
Ingestion: Similar to the lavender, you can put 5 drops of peppermint in a capsule with olive oil and take orally. You can also put a drop of Peppermint Essential Oil in a glass of water and drink it for an invigorating pick me up. This will help with the fatigue associated with allergies.
Therapeutic grade Essential Oils are a great alternative remedy and relief for seasonal allergy symptoms.
To find out more about the oils click here.
Until next time.
Live Well,
Peggy
Dr. Peggy Malone is a Chiropractor and an Athlete who helps other athletes to overcome injury and get back to their sport. Her weekly Television Series 'Living Well" inspires people from all walks of life to take control of their health to be as happy and as healthy as they can be.
A former varsity Basketball and Rugby player, she has since entered the world of endurance athletics where she has completed 2 Ironman Triathlons, 3 Marathons, several Half Marathons and many other Triathlons, Road Races and Off-Road Adventure races of varying distances.
Her own athletic endeavors and injuries have given her valuable insight into working with athletes in her practice for both the care of injuries as well as for the improvement of athletic performance.
