Essential oils for hay fever

It’s that time of year Atlantans both look forward to and fear: Spring.  With the gorgeous blooming of trees come the inevitable pollen counts that have been known to reach 3332 – with 120 considered to be extremely high by the Atlanta Asthma & Allergy Clinic.

Steaming with essential oils 2-3 times a day,  diffusing the room with essential oils and bathing with them throughout Spring can make a big difference.

To clear up any respiratory issues such as mucus or congestion, essential oils distilled from the leaves and needles are always a good start for a blend.  The leaves/needles allow the plant to breathe and the essential oils that are distilled from them have decongestant and expectorant (meaning they remove mucus from respiratory system) qualities.  A few standouts are Eucalyptus radiata Eucalyptus radiata, Myrtle Myrtus communis and Rosemary Rosemarinus officinalis ct camphor.  These essential oils are all high in Oxides making them some of the strongest decongestants out there as well as pain relieving for the headaches that may come with hay fever and allergies.  Peppermint Mentha piperita would also be an excellent choice because of its high Monoterpene content, making it decongesting for the entire body.  It has the added bonus of containing Keytones which are decongesting as well as pain relieving.   Siberian Fir Abies sibirica is a needle distilled favorite to use during allergy season because not only does it have the usual decongestant and uplifting qualities, it also has a fairly large percent of anti-inflammatory Esters which can help ease the coughing that may come along with a dry scratchy throat.

Oddly enough essential oils distilled from a few select flowers can also be helpful.  One would think that someone allergic to pollen would want to stay as far away from florals as possible, but the oils distilled from German Chamomile Matricaria recutita are high in Sesquiterpenes making it a strong antiallergenic, anti-inflammatory and a respiratory system sedative.  Lavender Lavendula augstifulia is high in Monoterpenols and Esters making it  pain relieving, an immune stimulate and antispasmodic to sooth the coughing.  One of my favorite floral oils to use for allergy season is Spike Lavender Lavandula latifolia because it smells like a nice mix of Eucalyptus and Lavender while carrying the beneficial properties of both.  Another reason I like to use florals with my clients is to gently and gradually increase their tolerance to allergens.  I guess you can all it a holistic allergy shot.

For a blend to steam with, I would avoid Rosemary and Peppermint due to their irritating nature and save them for a room diffuser or a diluted chest/temple rub.  An effective hay fever blend for steaming would be Eucalyptus radiata (4 drops), Myrtle (4 drops), Siberian Fir (4 drops), Spike Lavender (3 drops) with German Chamomile (2 drops…this chamomile is strong!). To steam place 1-2 drops of undiluted blend in a bowl with about 2 cups hot water.  Place towel over your head, close eyes and breathe in the therapeutic goodness!

I like to make a floral dominant blend for the bath because of their less skin irritating nature.   It could consist of German Chamomile (2 drops), Lavender (6 drops), Myrtle (4 drops) and Eucalyptus radiata (4 drops).  Although oil distilled from Myrtle and Eucalyptus radiata are from the leaves, they are not as skin irritating as most decongesting oils.  The soothing quality of the floral oils also counteract any skin irritating nature the Myrtle and Eucalyptus may have.  Eucalyptus globulus is a more skin irritating species of eucalyptus and should be used a bit more diluted…especially if using in the bath.  Always check the Latin name on the essential oil bottle to see what you have and if it does not list the Latin name then it is time to find yourself a new supplier.  3-4 drops of this blend is more than enough for the bath. 

Integrating essential oils into your allergy prevention routine is easy to do and effective on a physical level.  You will also find yourself more relaxed, motivated, clear headed and balanced due to the effects that come along with the blended aromas.    I can’t imagine Spring without essential oils anymore!