Covering what are the best pure essential oils for hay fever and which essential oils can be used to give you some comfort this season.
What are essential oils?
Essential oils are aromatic oils. They’re used in body oils, creams, sprays and perfumes.
They can also be added in a diffuser, steamer or bath to give you some relief from your hay fever symptoms.
The oils provide therapeutic benefits. When inhaled, the scent molecules in essential oils travel from the nerve fibres relating to your sense of smell, directly to your brain. They then impact the emotional centre of your brain to lift your mood.
The oils also help with the management of physical symptoms, and help balance your body and mind for your wellbeing.
Here are our favourite essential oils to help fight off the effects of hay fever:
1. Breathe easy with Eucalyptus oil
We’ve all been there. The sneezing and a blocked or runny nose, which are all signs that your hay fever is not letting up. Nothing clears those nasal passages like eucalyptus oil. It packs a punch.
There are over 600 species of eucalyptus, of which about 20 can be harvested for essential oils. Eucalyptus are tall, evergreen trees with long, narrow leaves and white-yellow flowers.
The oil is extracted from the tree’s leaves and twigs using the steam distillation method, which involves passing steam produced in a container through the plant.
Eucalyptus oil has sharp notes with woody undertones. Add a couple of drops to steam inhalations to relieve your blocked nose. It’s reinvigorating.
2. Clean the air and get cleansed with Lemon oil
Lemon oil comes from the fruit tree. You get the essential oils lemon from the peel of the fruit. The oil, like the fruit, is fresh and light with slightly sweet undertones. Lemon oil helps cleanse the air around you.
3. Feel stronger with Rosemary oil
Rosemary oil is quite the powerhouse. It has a sharp smell that can be stimulating but also purifying and protecting. The essential oils rosemary come from the shrubby bush that has silver-green leaves.
When your body feels run down, adding rosemary oil in massages or baths helps to relax those tight muscles for better overall circulation.
A couple of drops of rosemary oil in a water diffuser or steamer is an effective antiseptic to help prevent the spread of airborne infections.
4. Soothe your itchy skin with Chamomile oil
Chamomile is a gentle essential oil that comes from a daisylike white and yellow flower. It helps with calming irritable skin. Make a cold compress by soaking a face towel or cotton pad and adding one or two drops of chamomile essential oil. Apply it over your eyelids to soothe your itchy eyes. It’s healing for your skin and helps alleviate your hay fever allergies.
5. Keep calm with Lavender oil
Lavender oil would get our grand prize if there was a contest for flexibility and versatility. It has many uses such as relieving muscle aches and easing headaches.
Lavender oil comes from a bushy shrub of purple spiky flowers. The essential oils lavender is extracted through steam distillation. The oil, like the flower, has strong, clean and fresh tones.
But with all of lavender oil’s uses, the one that tops our list is its use for relaxation. We call it the sleep whisperer. It’s perfect for those nights when your hay fever is keeping you up. A couple of drops of essential oils lavender in a water diffuser, facial steam or bath, and it’s lights out.
6. Get a pep in your step with Peppermint oil
To feel refreshed, peppermint oil is your go-to. It’s known for helping clear the mind and making you feel revived.
Peppermint oil comes from the herb. It has a penetrating smell with minty tones. It helps relieve mucus with its cooling effects.
For a perfect combo, mix essential oils peppermint with lavender oil.
After a tough day, when you managed to get through the day despite not feeling your best, dip your feet in a foot bath with a few drops of peppermint and lavender oil. You’ll feel yourself come back to life.
And if feet aren’t your thing, this perfect pairing works just as well for a facial steam to feel rejuvenated.
By using these essential oil blends, you can ease your hay fever and perk yourself up so you don’t miss out on summer.
A word of warning: essential oils should not be put directly on the skin, as they are potent and can burn. They must always be mixed with water or what are known as carrier oils.
Speak to a professional when buying essential oils and let them know if you have any medical conditions.
Great article. Eucalyptus oil has made a bit of a difference! 🙂
Glad it’s helped Gee!