Allergies are caused by an overt histamine response that can be triggered by food, environmental chemicals, pollen, pet dander, dust, mites, insect bites, etc.

Reactions to these factors can result in:

• Digestive – diarrhea, vomiting, cramps, excessive bloating
• Mouth – swelling of the lips and/or tongue, itchiness of the mouth or lips
• Nose – sneezing, congestion, runny nose, stuffy nose, bloody nose
• Respiratory – wheezing or labored breathing
• Skin – rashes, welts, and other skin reactions

Food Allergies Vs Food Intolerances

Many people believe that food allergies and food intolerances are the same, but they’re actually different!

Food allergies constitute an immune response like hives, swelling, itchiness, or wheezing while food intolerances cause gastrointestinal reactions like gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.

Those who have a reaction to peanuts or strawberries have a food allergy to those foods.

Those who get gas or diarrhea from consuming dairy products like milk and cheese have a food intolerance.

Seasonal allergies like hay fever are triggered by airborne or environmental allergens like pollen, animal hair/saliva, feathers, dust mites, etc. which cause the body to release histamines. This results in inflammation in the sinuses and lungs and causes the watery red eyes, runny nose, sneezing, wheezing, and coughing associated with allergies.

The Best Essential Oils for Allergies

Essential oils can be used for the symptoms of all both food-borne and environmental allergies, but they do not prevent food allergies.

If you’re allergic to peanuts and you eat them thinking that essential oils will prevent a reaction, you are WRONG. You will still need to use an epi-pen.

However, they CAN help mitigate some of the symptoms after exposure in regards to food allergies and intolerances.

As for seasonal allergies, essential oils are quite good at controlling symptoms, and I personally use a nasal inhaler during allergy season to help keep my sinuses and lungs in tip-top shape.

You can learn how to make my SOS allergy inhaler here.

Here are the best essential oils for treating allergies naturally:

– Elemi – skin
– Eucalyptus radiata – sinus and respiratory
– Lavender – sinus and respiratory, skin
– Ledum – digestive
– Lemon – seasonal allergies
– Melissa – skin
– Patchouli – digestive – especially good for cramping and vomiting
– Peppermint – digestive, sinus and respiratory
– Roman chamomile – skin
– Spikenard – sinus
– Tea tree – skin, sinus and respiratory

Essential Oil Recipes for Allergies

Recommended Blend #1

For sinus and respiratory allergies, diffuse 5-10 drops of peppermint essential oil 2-3x daily.

Recommended Blend #2

– 1 drop elemi
– 2 drops myrrh
– 3 drops lavender
– 3 drops Roman chamomile

Dilute in 2 tsp carrier oil and apply a small amount on skin rashes, hives, and welts 2x daily.

Recommended Blend #3

– 2 drops lavender
– 2 drops lemon
– 2 drops peppermint

Add each essential oil to a personal nasal inhaler and use as needed.

What are your favorite essential oils for allergies? Please share in the comments!

You may also enjoy reading:

Essential Oil Quick Usage Guide
Beginners Guide to Essential Oils- Part 1
Seasonal Allergy Blend- Three Different Ways!
How to Treat Seasonal Allergies Naturally

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