Benefits and uses of essential oils for allergy relief

Photo Credit: Matka_Wariatka via iStockPhoto

I began learning how to use essential oils in place of conventional medicines a little over a year ago. Essential oils are made from various parts of the plant, most often the leaves but sometimes also the flowers and fruit (as with citrus oils). A good way to think of this is when you crush a live leaf in your hand. You’ll notice that the creases in the green leaf are moist or wet from being twisted or bent. That is the essential oil of the plant.

When using essential oils for health reasons, it’s important that the oils you use are extracted in the purest way possible. The purity of an oil is preserved when the oils are extracted by pressing and by steaming with purified water. Many cheap essential oils that you find in retail stores are extracted from plants by soaking the plants in various chemicals. The oil that is extracted is both diluted and altered by the presence of these chemicals. There is no regulation on the use of the phrase “100% pure” when it comes to essential oils. A bottle can carry that claim when the oils were extracted via chemicals or steam, or a combination of the two. So, when you are using oils for health reasons, make sure you know exactly how the oil is extracted. If you cannot find that information from the manufacturer, I would recommend not using that brand.

As the weather in Texas changes constantly, I find myself most often in need of allergy relief. Below are my two favorite uses for essential oils for allergy relief* – enjoy!

Stronger Allergy Remedy

• 5-6 drops of Lavender essential oil

This one tastes TERRIBLE, I am not going to lie. Have a glass of something next to you that you can eat or drink. I suggest a cookie and some water or lemon or honey tea.

I also researched other allergy remedies using my essential oils reference book and found this one:

Topical Essential Oil Allergy Remedy

• 1 drop Lavender oil – apply to the base of the throat
• 1 drop Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) oil – apply to the base of the throat shortly after the Lavender

Apply each and tap with your finger pads over the area where applied and then tap right over your heart. This is the thymus area, and tapping on it is supposed to activate your immune responses, which are stimulated by the Lavender and Tea Tree oils. I have no idea if this is true, but I know that when I did this it helped my allergies!

Now, go forth and conquer this weather. Let me know if you try these remedies and if they work as well for you as they did for me!

*NOTE: I am not a doctor or a medical professional. These treatments are not meant to cure, diagnose, or prevent illness, the recipes are based on my personal experience. If you are currently taking prescription medications or are pregnant/breastfeeding, please check with your doctor before using essential oils, just as you would with any medication.

Jenny Bradford is a Lagree Fitness instructor and blogger at Conscientious Confusion, a blog about living consciously. The blog encompasses green living, health and wellness, nutrition, essential oils, cloth diapering, natural parenting, and conscientious consumerism. She is also a founding member of The Green Sisterhood and contributing writer at Dallas Moms Blog. She is a wife to Christian and mom to Little Sir (October 2009) and Little Lady (February 2011). You can also follow Jenny on twitter, and like her on Facebook.

If you are interested in purchasing Young Living Essential Oils or to learn more about their benefits please feel free to contact Jenny