Spring Sniffles No More: Aromatherapy Tips for Allergy Relief

Spring in your step?

Spring is the season of hope. The season of rebirth after a long death of Winter. The days are longer, and weather is getting warmer. Every season has its own unique intrinsic qualities and like nature, we too feel differently during the transitions. Humans are programmed to rest more when it’s dark and be more active when it’s light. With the extra daylight hours most people begin to feel more energized and alive. This is aligned with the changes we see around us in nature: trees are budding, flowers are blooming, animals are more active. Every season impacts us differently: from our energy levels, to moods, sleep, immune system, even digestion is impacted by the different seasons.

What happens to the human body when Spring arrives?

The seasonal shift can impact how we feel physically and emotionally. There is an increase of water on the ground, dampness and humidity in the air, abrupt changes in weather from sun, to rain, to hail (and even snow in some parts.) There are drastic fluctuations in outside temperatures, pollen and other allergens in the air, and adjustments to daylight savings time. It’s no wonder spring can at times make us feel amazing but other times uncomfortable as our bodies try to adapt and maintain homeostasis.

The most common complaint? Allergies.

In the spring, common allergens include pollen from ragweed, trees, grasses, mold spores, and dust mites. These allergens can trigger allergic reactions, making it a challenging time for allergy sufferers. Plants release pollen which travel into our nose and our immune system tells the brain to get rid of it, thus we are sneezing nonstop. Spring allergies can also bring excess mucous and cause a runny nose or post-nasal drip. Some people complain of a tickle in back of the throat. The constant drainage of mucous can cause a sore throat and coughing.

What gives?

Allergy symptoms are caused by histamines which are chemicals released by the mast cells when they spot an invader (like pollen). Those histamines can also cause swelling and inflammation in the eyes hence the watery, itchy eyes.

Aromatherapy for Allergy Relief:

Aromatherapy involves the use of essential oils derived from plants, each with its unique properties and potential benefits. When used correctly, essential oils can help alleviate allergy symptoms and provide a sense of relief. Here's how you can use aromatherapy to soothe spring allergies:

1. Eucalyptus Oil for Respiratory Relief:

Eucalyptus essential oil is renowned for its respiratory benefits. It can help open up airways, ease congestion, and provide relief from sneezing and coughing. Eucalyptus contains the constituents 1,8 cineole and citronellal which have both anti-inflammatory and analgesic actions. It can ease cough and is a supportive decongestant. (1) (2)

Eucalyptus is helpful during spring as it has a cooling sensation you experience while breathing it in to provide relief from allergens in the air. Try these methods:

• Steam Inhalation: Add a 1-2 drops of eucalyptus oil to a bowl of hot water. Lean over the bowl, cover your head with a towel, and inhale the steam for about 5-10 minutes. *Not recommended for children under 12 years old. Click here to learn more about steam inhalation.

• Diffusion: Use a diffuser to disperse eucalyptus oil into the air, creating a soothing and decongesting atmosphere in your home.

• Topical application: Apply 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil in 1 tablespoon of carrier oil such as jojoba oil or fractionated coconut oil and apply to chest, neck and shoulders through self massage. Or make this easy chest rub recipe below to have on hand.

2. Lavender Oil for Allergy-Induced Stress:

Allergies can take a toll on your mental well-being. Lavender essential oil is well-known for its calming properties. It can help reduce stress and promote a sense of relaxation. Lavender helps soothe symptoms during allergy season thanks to its ability to calm and reduce inflammation. It has been studied to reduce allergic inflammation as well as the enlargement of mucous cells. (3) (4)

Lavender also has been studied to soothe headaches and tension related to stress and anxiety. In one study of 129 headache attacks, 92 responded entirely or partially to lavender. The percentage who responded was significantly higher than the placebo group. (5) Use it in the following ways:

• Aromatherapy Diffusion: Diffuse lavender oil in your bedroom to create a tranquil environment conducive to restful sleep.

• Topical Application: Dilute a few drops of lavender oil with a carrier oil and apply it to your temples and wrists to alleviate stress throughout the day. Or make a seasonal support roller with 3 drops lavender, 3 drops lemon and 3 drops peppermint essential oil in 10ml roller with carrier oil and apply to neck, chest and shoulders when seeking support.

3. Peppermint Oil for Sinus Congestion:

Peppermint essential oil is excellent for alleviating sinus congestion, a common allergy symptom. One of the principal chemical constituents of peppermint essential oil is menthol. Menthol creates a somatosensory effect when applied to the skin which acts as a natural analgesic due to its cooling effect. Peppermint can be helpful to relieve tension as well provide soothing relief for fall allergies when inhaled. (6) Here's how to use it:

• Inhalation: Place a drop of peppermint oil on a tissue or cloth and inhale deeply to clear your nasal passages.

• Steam Bath: Create a vapor bath using recipe below. **Essential oils are hydrophobic and do not mix with water therefore, never add essential oils directly to the bathwater and always use a proper dispersant. Not a bath person? Add a few drops of peppermint oil to shower floor while showering for a soothing, congestion-relieving experience.

4. Copaiba for Inflammation

Copaiba has the highest quantity of the constituent beta-caryophyllene of all essential oils which helps it to support a lot of systems in the body. Particularly the endocannabinoid system which is involved in a lot of physiological processes within the body. Copaiba has impressive anti-inflammatory properties to help soothe tension, arthritis, joint pain and allergies. (7) It also has a calming aroma which is supportive for stress and anxiety. Here’s how to use it:

• Inhalation: Make in an aromatherapy inhaler by adding 10 drops of lavender, 5 drops lemon and 10 drops of copaiba to the cotton wick. Inhale when seeking support.

• Topical Application: Apply 2 drops diluted in 1 tablespoon of carrier oil such as jojoba oil or fractionated coconut oil and apply to chest and neck for

5. Lemon to Soothe Sinuses

Lemon brings a refreshing and cleansing aroma and is known to have powerful antioxidant properties. Like lavender oil, it is used in the supporting symptoms of allergies because it works as a natural antihistamine. It can help in clearing sinuses and reducing congestion. (8)

6. German Chamomile for Allergy Relief

Most people know about chamomile’s benefits for sleep (9) and calming the mind. But German Chamomile really stands out for soothing allergies due to its chamazulene bisabolol constituents. Thanks to the powerful anti-inflammatory function, chamomile oil can be supportive in reducing inflammation and irritation within respiratory system. Here’s how to use it:

• Steam Inhalation: Add a drop of German chamomile oil to a bowl of hot water and inhale the steam to alleviate respiratory symptoms.

• In an aromatherapy inhaler: Make an aromatherapy inhaler with German chamomile, lemon and either niaouli, laurel, or eucalyptus. Inhale with to soothe congestion, sniffles and irritation due to allergies.

• Topical application: Dilute German chamomile oil in a carrier oil and apply it to the skin to reduce inflammation and soothe irritation caused by allergies.

A few ways to use these oils: 

• diffuse into the air

• use them in bath and spa products

• apply to the skin (diluted)

• make a room spray and spray into the air

• use in massage oil, salve, lotion or balm recipe

• make a roller and apply to temples and neck to support head tension

• breathing them in directly from the bottle or make an aromatherapy inhaler

A few of my favorite blends to support allergies this season:

• Lavender + Lemon + Peppermint

• Eucalyptus + Tea Tree + Cedarwood

• Eucalyptus + Rosemary + Peppermint

• Eucalyptus + Cypress + Tea Tree + Lemon

• Marjoram + Fir + Laurel lea

• Sandalwood + Frankincense + Ravensara*

• German Chamomile + Lemon + Naouli

Use these blends in the diffuser, roller recipes or in aromatherapy inhalers.

* A randomized controlled trial showed that the inhalation of blended oil from Ravensara, frankincense, and sandalwood alleviated subjective symptoms, improved the disease-specific quality of life, and reduced fatigue for those with allergic rhinitis (hay fever). (10)

Safety Considerations:

While aromatherapy can be an effective tool for allergy relief, it's crucial to use essential oils safely:

• Use high quality essential oils from a reputable source.

• Always dilute essential oils with a carrier oil before applying them to your skin.

• Perform a patch test to ensure you don't have any adverse reactions to an essential oil.

• Consult with a healthcare professional, especially if you have severe allergies or underlying medical conditions.

• *Note: It is not recommended to apply eucalyptus (cineole rich) to or near the face of infants or children under the age of 10. The National Association of Holistic Aromatherapy does not recommend use of peppermint oil on children ages 30 months or less.

• *Be mindful of photosensitive essential oils. Photosensitization is a reaction to a substance applied to the skin that occurs only in the presence of UV light. Some essential oils contain furocoumarins, a special class of constituents that can cause photosensitization of the skin. The most commonly found furocoumarins in essential oils are bergapten and oxypeucedanin. Most photosensitive essential oils are citrus but other oils contain compounds or mixes of compounds that have the same effect meaning they aren’t sun safe either. A few oils to be cautious with are lemon, lime, orange, grapefruit, bergamot, tangerine, rue and cumin (and blends containing these oils).

Now that you have these aromatic tools to help you through this season…

Sniffles no more! Spring allergies need not dampen your enjoyment of this beautiful season. Aromatherapy, with its natural and holistic approach, can provide relief from allergy symptoms and support your overall well-being. By incorporating essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender, and peppermint into your daily routine, you can breathe easier, soothe your senses, and fully savor the hopeful spring season.

Disclaimer: This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute the practice of medicine, nursing or other professional health care services, including the giving of medical advice. The use of information on this blog or materials linked from this blog is at the user's own risk. The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard, or delay in obtaining, medical advice for any medical condition they may have, and should seek the assistance of their health care professionals for any such conditions.

References:

1. Sadlon AE, Lamson DW. Immune-modifying and antimicrobial effects of Eucalyptus oil and simple inhalation devices. Altern Med Rev. 2010 Apr;15(1):33-47. PMID: 20359267.

2. Song, Mi & Kim, Eun. (2014). Effects of Eucalyptus Aroma Therapy on the Allergic Rhinitis of University Students. Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science. 16. 300-308. 10.7586/jkbns.2014.16.4.300.

3. Ueno-Iio T, Shibakura M, Yokota K, Aoe M, Hyoda T, Shinohata R, Kanehiro A, Tanimoto M, Kataoka M. Lavender essential oil inhalation suppresses allergic airway inflammation and mucous cell hyperplasia in a murine model of asthma. Life Sci. 2014 Jul 17;108(2):109-15.

4. Koulivand PH, Khaleghi Ghadiri M, Gorji A. Lavender and the nervous system. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2013;2013:681304.

5. Sasannejad P, Saeedi M, Shoeibi A, Gorji A, Abbasi M, Foroughipour M. Lavender essential oil in the treatment of migraine headache: a placebo-controlled clinical trial. Eur Neurol. 2012;67(5):288-91.

6. Herro E, Jacob SE. Mentha piperita (peppermint). Dermatitis. 2010 Nov-Dec;21(6):327-9. PMID: 21144345.

7. Veiga Junior VF, Rosas EC, Carvalho MV, Henriques MG, Pinto AC. Chemical composition and anti-inflammatory activity of copaiba oils from Copaifera cearensis Huber ex Ducke, Copaifera reticulata Ducke and Copaifera multijuga Hayne--a comparative study. J Ethnopharmacol. 2007 Jun 13;112(2):248-54. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2007.03.005. Epub 2007 Mar 7. PMID: 17446019.

8. d'Alessio PA, Bisson JF, Béné MC. Anti-stress effects of d-limonene and its metabolite perillyl alcohol. Rejuvenation Res. 2014 Apr;17(2):145-9. doi: 10.1089/rej.2013.1515. Epub 2014 Apr 8. PMID: 24125633.

9. Adib-Hajbaghery M, Mousavi SN. The effects of chamomile extract on sleep quality among elderly people: A clinical trial. Complement Ther Med. 2017 Dec;35:109-114. doi: 10.1016/j.ctim.2017.09.010. Epub 2017 Oct 13. PMID: 29154054.

10. SY, Park K. Effect of Inhalation of Aromatherapy Oil on Patients with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:7896081. doi: 10.1155/2016/7896081. Epub 2016 Mar 13. Erratum in: Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2016;2016:2103616. PMID: 27034695; PMCID: PMC4808543.