Allergies can cause watery eyes, a runny nose, sneezing, rashes, itching, shortness of breath, a scratchy throat, headaches, itchy eyes, nausea, or bumps on the skin. The symptoms of allergies make you feel uneasy and uncomfortable.
Seasonal allergies with sudden changes in weather conditions are quite commonly suffered by many.
Seasonal allergies, like allergic rhinitis or hay fever, develop when the body’s immune system becomes sensitized. It then produces sudden reactions to changes in environmental conditions.
Food allergies are also quite common and are suffered by many. According to an EMBO report, “the number of people with food allergies is rising, as is the number of foods to which they are allergic.”
Food allergies happen when the body’s immune system overreacts to some of the substances in the food you have eaten, triggering an allergy.
Itchy skin is the most commonly seen allergy problem.
Most cases of allergies can be treated with prescription medicines or home remedies. But some people may suffer severe allergy attacks, resulting in shortness of breath and intense inflammation.
Natural remedies work well for hypersensitivity of the immune system. Essential oils are great for easing allergies and their symptoms. Essential oils improve your immune system and help reduce hypersensitivity.
What causes allergies?
An allergy happens when the immune system attacks a substance called an allergen
The patient’s immune system becomes hypersensitive to the antigen and uses a protective substance called immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies to fight the danders.
An allergy occurs when these antibodies travel to cells that release histamine and other chemicals to protect the body.
Some of the common factors that trigger an allergy are:
- Food
- Medications
- Weather
- Dust
- Pollen
- Latex
- Animal dander
- Mould
- Insect stings
Allergies symbolize the weakness or hypersensitivity of your immune system.
People who suffer from any inflammatory disease are highly prone to experiencing allergies. It is because the body’s immune system is already overworked and stressed from dealing with soreness; in such a situation, the immune system overreacts even to a harmless antigen entering the body.
Strengthening the immune system to prevent inflammation can stop allergies.
How do essential oils relieve or prevent allergies?
Most essential oils contain potent anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent or heal inflammatory issues.
Essential oils also contain antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties, along with vitamins, nutrients, and enzymes that boost the body’s immune system.
Essential oils can help your body fight harmful toxins, infections, parasites, and other allergens that enter your body. They fortify the immune system and reduce its hypersensitivity to irritants.
The symptoms of seasonal allergies, like itching, bumps on the skin, headaches, rashes, breathing issues, sneezing, or nausea, can be managed with essential oil remedies or aromatherapy.
An essential oil or oil blend may help relieve and reduce the impact of allergies. They do it by expelling allergens or toxins via increased urination and sweating. Oils also help in boosting respiratory functions, which contribute to dispelling irritants.
Best essential oils for allergies
Several essential oils are beneficial for boosting immunity and fighting infection. However, we have handpicked the 9 best essential oils to manage allergies.
Skin allergies can lead to swelling, itching, and redness. Those with these allergy symptoms may try the following oils for seasonal or skin allergy relief:
1. Eucalyptus essential oil
Eucalyptus oil contains citronellal, which has potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic qualities; it may help you with your congestion. The citronellal compound is also a wonderful expectorant. It aids in expelling antigens such as toxins and harmful microorganisms.
Eucalyptus oil is especially beneficial for fighting allergies affecting the respiratory system. This oil clears the lungs and sinuses of inflammatory infections, dust, and toxins that may cause allergies.
According to some recent studies, eucalyptus oil produces a cooling sensation in the nose that helps improve airflow.
Another study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine notes that eucalyptus essential oil is useful in treating upper air-passage tract infections.
Diffuse a few drops of eucalyptus oil in your bedroom, or apply a few drops to your chest and temples to relieve allergies affecting the breath system.
2. Lemon oil
Lemon oil is a proven traditional remedy for overcoming lung issues. This oil can support lymphatic system drainage.
One of the research reports published by the World Journal of Microbiology & Biotechnology suggests that lemon essential oil inhibits the growth of bacteria and boosts the immune system.
Diffusing lemon oil in your room may dispel bacteria and viruses in the air, which are allergy triggers.
Daily, you can drink a glass of water diluted with 2 drops of lemon essential oil to help with pH balance.
Like oil, lemon water is also beneficial for fighting allergies. Regularly drinking lemon water is useful for boosting your immune system, detoxifying the body, stimulating the liver, and flushing the toxins out of the body.
You may diffuse lemon oil in your home to remove pollutants and harmful bacteria that can trigger an allergy. Also, add lemon oil to your laundry detergent and use it in water sprays on your carpets, couches, sheets, and curtains.
3. Peppermint oil
Peppermint essential oil is great for managing common allergies, especially those affecting the body’s respiratory system.
Inhaling peppermint oil is a time-tested natural remedy to unclog the sinuses and soothe sore throats.
In traditional natural therapies, peppermint oil is popularly used as an expectorant to relieve allergies, asthma, bronchitis, sinusitis, coughs, headaches, colds, and coughing up thick mucus.
This oil is useful in fighting inflammation that may cause allergies.
A research report published in the European Journal of Medical Research elucidated the anti-inflammatory power of peppermint oil in dealing with bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis.
A study on peppermint oil conducted on rats tested the effects of this oil on the tracheal rings of rats. The result of this study indicated that the oil is a relaxant, exhibits antispasmodic activity, and inhibits the contractions that cause cough.
Diffuse a few drops of this oil at your home or office to ward off an impending threat of allergens. Breathing in the oil vapor relieves colds, coughs, and nasal irritation and clears out mucus and irritants.
Consuming 2 drops of the oil diluted in water, tea, or a smoothie can help your body fight inflammation. Peppermint oil can also be applied topically on the neck’s chest, temple, throat, and back.
4. Tea tree oil
A recent study conducted in Germany has verified that tea tree oil contains potential antimicrobial qualities that can fight against various yeasts, fungi, and bacteria.
This oil can effectively prevent or destroy the airborne pathogens that trigger allergies.
You can protect your home from fungal or bacterial invasion by diffusing a few drops of TTO in your home. This oil’s anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties can help prevent and heal allergies.
You may use this oil on skin rashes, infections, and wounds to heal the inflammation. While using TTO topically on the skin, dilute it in good carrier oils like jojoba, almond, or coconut. This oil may also work as a disinfectant in house cleaning.
5. Basil oil
Basil oil is well known for its therapeutic power in dealing with many common microbial infections. You might benefit from this holy essential oil when your body is taking a hit from allergy season.
Research reports on basil oil testify that the antimicrobial properties of this oil can eliminate molds, yeast, and bacteria that may cause respiratory issues and asthma. This oil is useful for expelling viruses and bacteria and managing soreness.
Basil essential oil can also minimize danders by reducing the inflammatory response to allergens. This oil can also help boost the function of the adrenal glands, which are responsible for producing and utilizing several hormones in the body. In the case of allergies, basil oil can aid in the emergency rushing of blood to muscles, the heart, and the brain to react appropriately to the immune triggers.
You can consume 2 drops of basil oil added to a glass of water, tea, soup, or dish to check for allergies. Applying a few drops of basil oil on the chest, temples, back of the neck, and throat can reduce the antigens invading the respiratory system.
6. Lavender oil
Lavender oil is rich in anti-inflammatory properties. It’s a natural antihistamine.
Some folkloric medicines extensively use lavender oil to fend off allergens, especially those affecting the respiratory system.
Lavender essential oil has been reported to have anti-inflammatory effects. A recent study suggests that “lavender oil inhibits allergic inflammation and mucous cell hyperplasia with suppression of T-helper-2 cell cytokines and Muc5b expression in a murine model of asthma.”
This oil is also commonly used for soothing skin irritations caused by skin bites or hives.
With a diffuser, spraying lavender oil in your home may help manage allergic inflammation in the bronchial tubes. Applying lavender water to irritated skin can deliver fast relief from irritation, itching, and bumps.
7. Frankincense oil
Frankincense oil relieves stress and anxiety, improves immunity, reduces inflammation, and provides pain relief.
According to one of the recent study reports, this oil has proven to work as an alternative intravenous agent for bladder cancer treatment.
The antiseptic properties in Frankincense oil help eliminate allergenic bacteria and viruses from home and clean indoor spaces.
Burning frankincense resin and diffusing its oil reduces indoor pollution and disinfects your home.
Diffusing or topical application of this oil helps to reduce respiratory infections (colds, flu, bronchitis, etc.) that may give rise to allergic inflammation.
This natural oil also aids in the loosening and removal of mucus in the lungs. Most importantly, the anti-inflammatory properties of this oil clear the nasal passages, making breathing easier for people suffering from allergies or asthma.
This oil can be ingested, inhaled, or applied topically. For quick relief from its respiratory benefits, add a few drops of this oil to a cotton ball or handkerchief and inhale it.
8. Clove oil
Clove oil is akin to Eucalyptus oil for treating allergies.
This oil is well known for its anesthetic and numbing effects in pain relief. It is a commonly used remedy for pain relief from a toothache or bruise.
Clove oil has antiseptic, antiviral, antifungal, and antimicrobial properties that work well for managing allergies.
The powerful antioxidants contained in this oil help boost the immune system. A strong immune system can easily protect the body from allergens without making it hypersensitive.
You can add a clove to deodorant, toothpaste, and face or body wash. Diffusing, topical application, or inhaling this oil is effective for resisting bacteria or viruses that may trigger allergic reactions.
9. Lemongrass oil
Lemongrass oil is useful for muscle and tendon relaxation, relieving allergic reactions that cause muscle spasms and cramps.
The topical application of this oil on the temples can help relieve headaches and sinus infections caused by allergens.
Lemongrass oil is a fantastic disinfectant. Using this oil for sanitary cleaning, diffusing, and spraying in your home will help keep away the ticks, insects, mosquitoes, and bugs that may cause allergies.
Ways to use essential oils for allergies
Let us now look at some of the effective ways you can make use of essential oils for dealing with different types of allergies:
For seasonal allergies
Lemongrass, tea tree, and lemon oils are effective disinfectants that can be used to cleanse your home of periodic allergy triggers. Mix 20 drops of each oil in a ½ liter spray bottle. Then fill the bottle with water and one tablespoon of vinegar; spray this mixture over your house. Diffusing essential oils in your home is beneficial for allergies-related seasonal changes that mainly disturb the respiratory system.
For skin rash and hives
The topical application of basil or lavender oil effectively soothes skin rashes or hives resulting from allergies. The topical application of tea tree oil (diluted in coconut oil) in the liver area can help activate the liver to flush out toxins that cause skin irritation.
For food allergies
Lemon and peppermint oils work best for food allergies. You can ingest two drops of this oil diluted in water, tea, juice, or soup. Essential oils can help eliminate allergens through urination or sweat, detoxifying the body.
Oil blend for allergies
Oil blends are more productive and powerful than using any single oil. A powerful allergy blend combines eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint oils diluted in carrier oils such as coconut oil or jojoba oil. Oil blends are best for topical application and diffusing; do not ingest them.
The Final Thought
Essential oils are excellent alternative remedies for getting rid of allergies caused by the hypersensitivity of your immune system.
As we have already discussed, the effective essential oils that can help allergies are:
- Eucalyptus oil
- Peppermint oil
- Tea tree oil
- Lemon oil
- Basil oil
- Lavender oil
- Chamomile oil
- Frankincense oil
- Clove oil
- Lemongrass oil
Also, other essential oils may help with anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiseptic properties and work well for remedying allergic reactions.
Some essential oils, like tea tree or lemongrass oil, are not fit for ingesting. It is best to use these oils aromatically or topically.
Essential oils for allergies work if you use therapeutic-grade oils from reliable suppliers.
Recommended reading list: