Best Essential Oils for Allergies

I was fortunate enough to never suffer from seasonal allergies until about 5 years ago, and it’s almost like the outside world is making up for lost time because my symptoms are so severe - lots of congestion, an itchy, sore throat, sinus pressure, and sneezing - and they tend to happen year-round, rather than seasonally. There’s nothing worse than feeling like your health is out of your control, and I found that over-the-counter allergy medicine made me too drowsy, so I turned to more natural remedies.

While essential oils won’t cure allergies, they have really helped ease my symptoms and made it easier for me to live my life and go outside without allergies following me home. Below are my favorite oils and blends that have helped me with allergies.

Note: I am not a doctor or medical professional. Please consult a healthcare professional before using or diffusing, especially if you have asthma, are pregnant, or have chronic medical conditions, and check with your vet if you have pets as some essential oils are toxic to animals. As an animal lover, I also recommend giving your pet an out (ex: don’t lock them in the bedroom with you) even if you are using a “safe” oil as they are much more sensitive than we are.

PS: none of the oils linked are related to an MLM; you can find them on Amazon and I’ve found the quality to be essentially identical to the ones I used to order from YL.

the best essential oils to use for allergies

lavender

One of the most versatile oils, lavender is naturally calming and anti-inflammatory, so it helps reduce irritation and itchy eyes. It’s my favorite to blend at night, as it helps me sleep deeper when allergy symptoms would otherwise keep me up.

You can diffuse this on its own or with others (keep scrolling for my favorite blends), but I’ll also apply this to my wrists as part of my wind-down routine, or mix it with distilled water to make a pillow spray before bedtime.

peppermint

Peppermint is my absolute favorite oil whenever I’m feeling congested as it helps open up my airways. It’s cooling and refreshing, helps eliminate sinus pressure, and makes breathing easier.

I like to diffuse this with other oils (like lavender or frankincense), but you can also mix it with a carrier oil (like coconut) and apply it to your chest for easier breathing. I personally prefer to apply it to my back instead; for some reason it still clears my airways but feels a little more gentle on my skin than applying to my chest.

eucalyptus

Eucalyptus, aka nature’s vapor rub, is incredible for respiratory relief. It helps clear mucus, makes it easier to breathe, and is refreshing without being too sharp (if that makes sense). A few ways I love to use this oil:

  • Add 2-3 drops to a bowl of hot water, cover your head with a towel, and breathe deeply for a minute.

  • Add 2-3 drops to your towels before drying for a spa-like experience that also keeps your airways open after showering,

  • Diffuse on its own.

tea tree

I never loved tea tree until I walked into an ALO store and noticed how clean the air seemed; it also gave me a boost of clarity, but was barely noticeable as far as scent goes. They sell their own blended oil, which I love (it diffuses clean, whereas some store oils tend to really cloud the air), and it’s my favorite oil when I need symptom relief but don’t want fragrance in the air.

Tea tree is naturally purifying and reduces airborne irritants, so I diffuse this almost all the time when there’s extra pollen in the air (like springtime). It’s clean and refreshing, and I love to use it on days when I’m more sensitive to fragrance and prone to migraines.

Tea tree is extremely potent, so you don’t need many drops in your diffuser to get the results. Avoid using it topically since it is so strong.

lemon

I hate to say it, but I don’t typically love citrus essential oils. They’re amazing, but I just gravitate towards earthier blends. That being said, lemon is great for indoor air quality and can give you an energy boost if you’re feeling fatigued. It’s also going to gently ease congestions, I recommend it to those with more sensitive sinuses.

Lemon is best diffused in the morning, as it tends to wake you up. Avoid applying this topically, as citrus oils can cause photosensitivity.

frankincense

An essential oil staple, frankincense is incredibly grounding and can support clearer breathing for those who are sensitive to minty or citrus oils. Known for reducing inflammation, this is one of my favorites to use during allergy season. I personally like to place a few drops in the corner of my shower for a spa-like experience, but you can also diffuse it with lavender for a calming experience, especially in the evenings.

the best diffuser blends for allergy relief

fresh air blend

This is great for clearing the air; it’s clean, but not too citrusy or sharp. I love to use this one before/ after I open up the windows and let fresh air in; it seems to clean up some of the pollen and helps me breathe better.

calming sinus relief blend

This is earthy and herbal; it’s deeply grounding without being too strong. I also love using this whenever I feel anxious.

clearing sinus relief blend

Whenever I feel congestion coming on strong, I run to this blend. It eliminates my sinus pressure and helps me breathe easier, yet isn’t too sharp that it’ll give me a headache.

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lifestylePaige DiTulliowellnessComment