Living in the Midwest, weather changes on a dime which is something I’m still getting use to since moving this year. Of course, I moved here from California right when we had a record year of snow. Lucky me, however the cold weather didn’t seem to have an effect on my allergies but once spring and summer hit, that was a different story. I seem to suffer most in the mornings and at night with the change in temperatures.
Living on farmland also wreaks havoc on my allergies when things are starting to grow, as well as when the wind kicks up, blowing a whirlwind of dust around. Not to mention, the fields of sunflowers that go for miles and the vast open space of grass that surrounds our property. The lifestyle is wonderful but waking up and sounding like I have a cold every morning gets frustrating.
I can’t live without my diffuser and I’m always experimenting with the scents of different essential oils. I love my Rose and Lavender essential oil blend. The smell is divine and you feel as if you’re in a rose garden walking through your home. This is wonderful during the day, but I noticed I’m still sniffling at night and have to get up several times to blow my nose. This doesn’t make a good nights sleep either, so I started to use different essential oils to see if there was something that would help combat my allergy symptoms, and I finally found what worked for me.
Just a note here that I stay away from allergy medications as much as possible even non-drowsy meds can make me feel tired and sluggish. I will always try a natural alternative first before thinking of using any kind of medication. In the long run, my body has thanked me for it. I wanted to share this information with everyone as I know there are people out there that can relate to the frustrations of living with allergies, so here is what worked for me and my thoughts on how to use essential oils for allergies.
Seasonal Allergies
Seasonal allergies can affect people all-year-round. Symptoms can include watery eyes, stuffy nose, sneezing, coughing, wheezing and even chest congestion. I personally suffer from all of these except the wheezing and chest congestion. Did you know that allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S. and affect approximately 50 million people? That is a sad statistic.
When I was a child, my parents opted to have my adenoids (glands that sit behind the nose, above the roof of the mouth) removed, thinking it would help with my suffering, however, this procedure is no longer as popular for children since it can increase the risk of respiratory infections. Unfortunately, I still suffer from seasonal allergies. There still is no cure and I feel for all of the children that have to go through what I did with different medications, nose sprays, allergist appointments, etc.
Diffusion
I have been asked what type of diffuser is best since there are so many on the market. My personal pick and the one I use daily is called the Aroma-Ace Atomizing Diffuser. Why this diffuser? It does not use heat or water (like most diffusers) and therefore you are getting the highest potency of the effectiveness of the essential oils. Cold diffusion technology preserves the natural essence and complete therapeutic benefits of essential oils by transforming them into a fine vapor. There is no water required and since heat can cause essential oils to evaporate and degrade quickly, cold air diffusion is typically preferred over heat diffusion to obtain the full therapeutic effects. The Aroma-Ace diffuser kills airborne viruses, bacteria, mold, and odors, and also acts as an air purifier.
You can read my review on it here.
My Personal Oil Blend For Allergies
There are a few different essential oils that are known to help with allergy symptoms. My personal oil blend that I diffuse at night is Peppermint, Eucalyptus, and Lavender. I love the smell of the Eucalyptus so I usually use a few drops more of that than I do the Peppermint and Lavender. In addition to combating allergy symptoms, this blend works as a great sleep aid and smells heavenly.
The benefits of using these specific essential oils:
Eucalyptus – Purifies, cleanses and acts as a decongestant. It’s great for colds and bronchitis and can be used as an expectorant for loosening phlegm and easing congestion. Fun fact…it is the oil used in Vicks Vapo Rub.
Peppermint – Can treat nausea and digestive issues, muscle pain, headaches and acts as a natural decongestant and fever-reducer.
Lavender – Commonly used for its relaxing effects on the body. Studies show that it has a soothing and calming effect on the nervous system, making it a wonderful oil to use for alleviating stress, anxiety, depression, allergies, and fatigue. Have trouble sleeping? Try some Lavender in your diffuser or on a cotton ball under your pillow…or in the bath, which is my favorite. It also helps with healing cuts and burns on the skin and is used in many skincare products. Here’s a bonus…it helps reduce wrinkles. It’s why it’s the #1 used essential oil and I absolutely love it for its many uses.
Why breathe these oils in from a diffuser? The essential oils are being dispersed into a fine vapor so they can be absorbed gently into the body through the respiratory system. The aroma can prompt the nervous system to transmit signals to the limbic system in the brain which is the same part of the brain that holds emotion and memory. A few drops in a diffuser can deliver therapeutic aromatherapy while clearing the air and creating a fragrant environment in your home.
Guidelines When Using Essential Oils
It is always recommended consulting a doctor prior to starting any new essential oil therapy. I believe essential oils are safe (if using a high-quality oil) but can interfere with some medications or react to certain skin types so this is just a precaution.
- Never apply pure essential oil directly to your skin (diluting the oil with a carrier oil such as sweet almond oil or jojoba oil, then doing a small patch test is best if you decide to use an oil on the skin) I do this with Lemongrass essential oil for my pain in my lower back and it works great for inflammation. Some people can tolerate oils directly on the skin but it’s best to dilute them.
- Never take essential oils internally. You really never know how it may react within your body. There is only one that I have taken with water which is a drop of pure Oregano oil when I feel the start of a cold coming on. It tastes awful but my symptoms go away much faster. I believe it really wards off a cold and has been a lifesaver for me but it’s always good to be cautious. Everyone’s body and toleration is different.
- Children and pregnant or breastfeeding women should only use essential oils under the guidance of a qualified professional.
Conclusion
Using essential oils in my diffuser for my allergy symptoms has helped me tremendously and I hope that anyone suffering from allergies as I have gives my personal blend a try. I believe having the right diffuser also helps but the benefit you also take away from this is that you’re not putting any harsh chemicals from medications in your body and you can avoid any side effects that certain medications may have.
If this article helps one person suffering from allergies, then I have succeeded in sharing my own story and personal experience. My hope is that this information is passed along to anyone that suffers from seasonal allergies and it provides relief when they need it most. It has changed my day-to-day life for the better.
Essential oil diffusion has endless possibilities for supporting health and well-being. I would love to hear from you if you’ve tried this blend to ease your allergy symptoms or if you have any questions about the Aroma-Ace Atomizing Diffuser. Please leave a comment in the section below and I will be happy to help.
