Treating Allergies with Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy can help with allergic reactions such as hives, eczema, dermatitis, bee stings, inflammation, and dryness. Essential oils that benefit pollen allergies by strengthening the immune system, reducing phlegm, and clearing sinuses, especially in a steam, include Cedarwood, Cypress, Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Geranium, Pine, Tea Tree, Lemon, Myrrh, Ylang Ylang .

Why people develop allergies remains a mystery in the medical community. Until we know more about allergies, the best line of defense is to eliminate the offending agents. Sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes, sinus congestion, hives, swelling are all symptoms of allergies.

Allergies can affect almost any area of the body. Substances that irritate the skin, allergic reactions to drugs, detergents, and other chemicals are all culprits. Also, grass, cow products, house dust, pets, wheat, colorants, additives and preservatives are all possibilities.

Consider these essential oils when treating your allergies:

Cedarwood oil is deeply relaxing to the bronchial area, slows down rapid breathing in asthma, calms allergy reactions and helps the chest muscles relax to open the lungs for more air.

Chamomile Oil Chamomile essential oil is an analgesic, anti-anemic, antineuralgic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, carminative and works on the digestive tract.

Tea Tree Oil speeds the healing of minor cuts and scrapes. It is good for all kinds of infections, For topical treatment of allergies, the oil may be used at a dilution of 5-15% or used in steam vapor therapy.

Eucalyptus Essential Oil Eucalyptus Oil is a strong antiseptic. Eucalyptus Oil is used as an inhalant for asthma, diphtheria, sore throats, sinus and respiratory problems. It is also useful as a chest rub for coughs and excess phlegm and for skin ulcers and rashes.

Lavender Essential Oil kills germs and stimulates new cell growth. Lavender oil has a soothing and calming effect on the nerves, relieving tension, depression, panic, hysteria and nervous exhaustion in general. In vapor therapy, Lavender oil can be useful for allergies.


Steam treatments and hot baths have a cleansing effect on allergies. Instructions for a warm bath: Fill your bathtub with water slightly warmer than body temperature, around 97° to 101°F (You can check the temperature of the water with a regular thermometer.) As the tub fills with water add 2 spoons of Sea Salts to the bath water for a soothing, skin cleansing soak. Submerging as much of your body as possible, stay in the bath for at least 20 minutes, adding water as needed to maintain the temperature of the bath.

Steam Inhalation: First, boiling water. Remove the pot from the stove. Add a few drops of lavender, eucalyptus and tea tree oil or the other oils listed above to the water and then with a towel, make a tent over your head and inhale the steam for 10-15 minutes. Add just a few drops of one - three oils only.

Consider cleansing the nasal passages with a Neti Pot. This Ayurvedic solution has been used for centuries to keep the nasal passages clear of mucus and congestion.

Consider a relaxing bath with the cleansing anti-bacterial effects of a cleansing blend of Lavender, Tea Tree essential oils. These oils are great for creating clean and bacterial-free skin.


Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac
http://www.peacefulmind.com/allergies.htm
Therapies for healing
mind, body, spirit