This is the time of year we inevitably find ourselves vulnerable to cold, sniffles, and seasonal allergies. There was a study done by the National Institute of Health concurring with findings parallel to effectiveness of certain oils against allergic rhinitis.
Aromatherapy, which is the practice of utilizing oils through nasal cavity direct inhalation, has been used for many, many years to fight inflammatory diseases.
Some example of oils are:
- Eucalyptus
- Ravensara
- Sandalwood
- Frankincense
These specific oils can relieve stuffy/runny nose, sneezing, and itchy noses. One benefit of this is that they are easy and portable. Additionally, there are no side effects like drowsiness which some over-the-counter medications can cause. We certainly do not need to become sleepy and dried out on our way to work or while we are driving.
You can make simple inhalants with just an aromatherapy inhalant case, cotton wick inserts and essential oils. I explain this in detail in chapter six of my new book, Self-Care is Essential, a personal resiliency program for healthcare professionals, first responders and caregivers.
There you can also find oils for many other ailments such as anxiety, sleeping problems and immunity boosters. You should aim to buy quality oils like Aromatics International or Mountain Rose Herbs. When buying oils, cheaper is not better and they can also be hiding toxins. Once you purchase some delicious scents, you can simply sprinkle a few drops on a cotton ball and sniff or assemble an inhaler. You can buy some inhaler blanks and easily assemble custom inhalers for your personal needs. Make a few and share with your friends, family and even co-workers!
Here are some sample essential oil recipes:
For immunity boost:
3 drops lime oil
3 drops eucalyptus oil
2 drops peppermint oil
For stress relief:
5 drops geranium oil
10 drops lavender oil
5 drops rose oil
For better sleep:
2 drops lavender oil
3 drops chamomile oil
3 drops bergamot oil
This allergy season, we do not have to be vulnerable. We can be proactive to health instead of reactive to illness. It’s all part of self-care after all.
For more essential oil recipes and other self-care tips, check out my book Self-Care is Essential.
Gwen Lawrence is a health and well-being educator, mindfulness coach and a practicing fitness professional for over 30 years. Her current work includes specialized self-care and resilience training for healthcare professionals, caregivers, and essential workers.
