The 13 Best Essential Oils for Allergies 2020 (Plus Recipes)

Allergies can ruin your life! It will make you unproductive.

At one moment, you are perfectly alright. Then once allergy hits, you will start sneezing. Soon, you will have a runny nose and watery eyes. Your skin might turn red and rashes can start appearing.

The symptoms will be different depending on the type of allergy that you have. What is described earlier is common for allergic rhinitis or seasonal allergies.

If there is one common thing, however, it would be that allergies are uncomfortable. Worse, they can become painful.

The best essential oils for allergies can save you! Keep on reading and I will share some of the best essential oils that will work.

Different Types of Allergies

Allergy has different signs and symptoms. You must understand the different types to know the best approach for its treatment.

• Allergic Rhinitis: This is characterized by the swelling and inflammation of the nasal passages. One of the most common allergies, it results in sneezing, congestion, and watery eyes.
• Food Allergies: After eating foods that you are allergic to, certain symptoms will be apparent, including vomiting, nausea, wheezing, hives, and facial swelling.
• Drug Allergies: Certain medications can cause allergic reactions. Most of the time, however, it isn’t an allergy, but a side effect of the drug.
• Insect Allergy: Being near insects like bees, wasps, and fire ants can also cause allergic reactions.
• Latex Allergy: Latex, a manmade material, can also cause an allergic reaction. This is often a result of the powder in latex.
• Pet Allergy: This is common in pets with furs, such as cats and dogs.

How to Use Essential Oils for Allergies

The effectiveness of essential oils will largely depend on how you use it.

One of the best things that you can do is to use an essential oil diffuser. This will allow the essential oil to circulate in the air and ease some of the most common allergy symptoms. It breaks up congestion and other respiratory problems.

Steam inhalation is also an effective solution, which is also often used in the best essential oils for colds.

If you have allergic skin reactions, you can use essential oils through topical application. However, dilute it first to minimize the chances that there will be an adverse reaction.
A DIY inhaler can also help. It often uses a blend of essential oils that can help ease nasal congestion during an allergy attack.

You can also apply essential oils directly on your chest, especially if your allergy is making it harder to breathe.

A Word of Caution

While using essential oils can be beneficial in the treatment of allergies, it is also important to note that there can be complications.

There is no regulatory agency that overlooks the quality and purity of essential oils, so that alone is a good reason for you to tread with caution.

In some cases, essential oils can worsen your allergy, especially if you do not use it the right way.

If you are using essential oil for topical application for the first time, make sure to test it out in an inconspicuous area of your skin first. Watch out for any adverse reaction.

Do not apply concentrated essential oil directly on your skin. Instead, dilute it using your choice of carrier oil.

Never ingest essential oil as it can lead to poisoning.

Our Top Picks for the Best Essential Oils for Allergies

Clueless about which essential oils are best for your allergies? Here are some of the best products that should be on your radar.

Gya Labs Sandalwood Essential Oil

Using sandalwood essential oil helps to reduce the reaction of antibodies and their corresponding effect to allergens in your body.

It also decreases the ability of the body to release histamine.

In one study that involves the use of sandalwood essential oil, the authors have proven that it is effective in the treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis. It reduced fatigue and improved quality of life of the participants (1).

Pure Body Natural Peppermint Essential Oil

From congestion to a scratchy throat, among other allergy symptoms, this peppermint essential oil promises to provide an effective remedy. It is an expectorant, which is one of the reasons why it will work.

In a study published at the European Journal of Medical Research, the conclusion was that peppermint, along with other essential oils containing L-menthol, is effective against allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma, among others (2).

When allergy symptoms are making you feel down, peppermint essential oil can help you get up and have the energy that you need to get through the day!

Handcraft Blends Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Similar to peppermint essential oil, eucalyptus essential oil also contains menthol, and this compound is responsible for providing effective relief from allergy symptoms.

It can help to calm your throat and relieve head congestion. It can also form a cold sensation, which will improve airflow in your nose.

When you take eucalyptus essential oil, it will open up your lungs. In turn, this will also improve breathing and circulation.

One of the best ways to use this eucalyptus essential oil is to apply it directly to your skin with a carrier oil. This should be easy since its packaging comes with a premium glass dropper. You can also use it as a main ingredient in inhalation sprays.

L&I Apothecary Organic Basil Essential Oil

While basil is not as popular as other essential oils, it is equally effective when it comes to providing relief from allergy symptoms.

Basil has antimicrobial benefits. With this, it can kill yeast, mold, and bacteria, which are some of the most common allergy culprits.

It also reduces our body’s inflammatory response to allergens while boosting your immune system.

Ola Prima Lemon Essential Oil

Naturally refreshing, lemon essential oil is another favorite among allergy sufferers.

It is an effective preventive measure. Adding lemon essential oil in a diffuser can help get rid of bacteria and allergens in the air.

Avoid topical application of lemon essential oil, especially if you are going out. The sunlight can burn your skin.

It also has antioxidant properties, which will clean toxins in your body.

Lemon essential oil also works as an antiseptic. It can be an effective disinfectant when cleaning surfaces where allergens can be present.

Cliganic Frankincense Essential Oil

Also recognized as one of the best essential oils for relaxation, frankincense has a more potent scent compared to most essential oils. Avoid using this oil if your nose easily gets irritated with fragrances.

It is known for having anti-inflammatory properties, which will ease congestion and bronchitis when you have an allergy. It can also get rid of excess mucus.

Alpha-pinene is one of the compounds found in frankincense. It is proven to have therapeutic effects against allergic rhinitis (3).

Plant Therapy Lavender Essential Oil

While lavender is more popularly known for its calming benefits, it is equally effective when you use it to treat allergy.

During allergy season, it can help calm allergic inflammation. It also reduces the enlargement of the mucus cells, which often happens during allergy.

It is also believed to inhibit the release of histamine, which your body naturally produces as a response to the presence of allergens.

If you have headaches and pains that result from having an allergy, this lavender essential oil is also promising.

Artizen Tea Tree Essential Oil

In traditional medicine, tea tree oil is popular because of its antiviral properties. Today, it is used to treat a variety of health problems, including allergies.

Tea tree is a popular ingredient in disinfectants. It can help in getting rid of terpenes and other chemicals that can cause allergy. It is an effective way to destroy airborne pathogens, especially those that can cause allergies.

It is also effective when used to treat skin allergies, especially when there is inflammation. To make it more effective, combine it with coconut oil.

Healing Solutions Organic German Chamomile Essential Oil

Like many of those that are mentioned in this guide, chamomile is also known for being an anti-inflammatory. It can treat a variety of skin allergies while also easing the mucus membrane.

If your allergies are causing itchiness, this essential oil can also help. However, since it will be used for topical application, make sure that you dilute it with a carrier oil to avoid irritation.

Mary Tylor Naturals Organic Lemongrass Essential Oil

Extracted from the stalks and leaves of the lemongrass plant, this essential oil has a powerful and citrusy scent that can help alleviate the symptoms of allergy.

Using lemongrass essential oil can lessen common allergy symptoms, including wheezing and sneezing. It can also help in clearing your stuffy nose.

It can also support lymphatic system drainage, which is one way by which it can help in improving your respiratory function.

However, take note that topical application can worsen skin allergies, so make sure to mix it with a carrier oil.

Majestic Pure Bergamot Essential Oil

This is a great essential oil in healing asthmatic symptoms that result from allergy, such as having a hard time breathing.

When used aromatically, bergamot essential oil is also effective in the reduction of phlegm, making it good for bronchial asthma.

Like other essential oils, however, take note that bergamot can cause photosensitive reactions. When exposed to the skin, it can cause redness and swelling, among other effects.

Sun Essential Oils Thyme Essential Oil

Thyme is also potent with allergy-fighting properties. This will inhibit the inflammatory response of the body.

If your allergies are giving you respiratory diseases, such as asthma and bronchitis, then you have another good reason to use thyme essential oil.

Now Essential Oils Oregano Essential Oil

This essential oil is effective in giving your immune system a boost. As a result, you can have a better defense against allergies.

It also has potent antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, making it effective for clearing your respiratory tract. If your allergy is restricting your breathing, this oregano essential oil can help.

If you have flu and colds because of allergy, this essential oil will also save the day.

Essential Oil Recipes to Try

To make the most out of the essential oils for the treatment of allergic symptoms, take note of the recipes below.

Essential Oil Inhaler Blend

If you are experiencing colds, congestion, and other respiratory problems as a result of an allergy, you can try this DIY inhaler recipe.

• 7 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
• 5 drops of lemongrass essential oil
• 5 drops of tea tree essential oil
• 3 drops of lemon essential oil

Mix all the oils in a small bowl. Place a cotton wick in the mixture and let it absorb the oils. Use a tweezer to pick up the wick and transfer it in an inhaler. When you have allergic rhinitis or seasonal allergies, use the inhaler.

Essential Oil Diffuser Blend

If you have a traditional or ultrasonic essential oil diffuser, this blend will help. It will improve the quality of air that circulates in the room, and in turn, this can ease the allergy symptoms that you are experiencing.

• 10 drops of lemon essential oil
• 10 drops of lavender essential oil
• 10 drops of tea tree essential oil

All that you have to do is to combine these oils in an amber bottle. Use one to three drops in the diffuser to help improve the air. It can help clear the allergens and calm your sinus system at the same time.

Conclusion

Allergies are chronic conditions that affect millions of people around the world.

Whether it is from pollens, pets, mold, drugs, or food, among others, allergies can be uncomfortable and painful, making you unproductive.

Good thing, you can always rely on the best essential oils for allergies, including our recommendations above.

With the right essential oil, you can say goodbye to runny nose, watery eyes, redness, and rashes, among other common signs of allergies.

Sources: 

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4808543/, Accessed 8 May 2020
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9889172, Accessed 8 May 2020
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25242385, Accessed 8 May 2020