There is a particular joy in breathing the spring time air, watching the shoots coming up through the waking earth, and flowers blooming... unless your nose and eyes start running, and you start itching!
People with seasonal allergies suffer a whole range of symptoms when their bodies react against grasses or pollens by releasing histamines.
We can use essential oils such as:
Lavender Lavandula angustifolia syn. officinalis, a natural anti histamine, pain reliever and anti inflammatory
Peppermint Mentha piperita, a natural anti inflammatory and pain reliever, particularly healing to the sinuses
How to properly use these essential oils:
On Your Skin: Add 10 drops or less of essential oil to a teaspoon of vegetable carrier oil or butter such as shea. Apply to the temples or above the lip. Be careful not to get peppermint in the eyes or in the nose!
In the Air: Put a few drops of undiluted essential oil in a pot of hot water wherever you are, even beside your bed at night. You can also place a few drops of undiluted oil on an unglazed terra cotta pendant as a personal diffuser.
Breathing it In: You can simply carry your bottle of undiluted essential oil in your pocket and inhale as needed. Some people scent a handkerchief or a leather or cloth bracelet. Breathing in the essential oil , slowly and deliberately, also helps calm and reset the nervous system.
Some people have found that eating pollen containing foods such as local raw honey, chamomile flowers tea and sunflower seeds help to reduce or even get rid of seasonal allergies. Smelling chamomile essential oil Anthemis nobilus L. can help some to train the body to not overreact to pollens. Chamomile has been used for centuries to treat inflammation, soreness, headache and allergies.
As always, when the immune system is stressed, the ultimate free natural remedies are:
Sleep - 8 hours! Less, and your immune system is not fully renewed!
Food - Avoid ANY foods that you are sensitive to, as this irritates your already hyper immune system!
Relaxation - Stress reactions lower your immune response by 70% immediately. Give your immune system a break by giving yourself regular relaxation breaks, whether that means a work out, a nap, a stretch break, a happy dance, guided meditation, or simply day dreaming.
Thanks for checking out this post. I'll add a 5ml bottle of Lavender or Peppermint for free to ANY in-store or online order by asking for it in the Comments with your order.