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Most of us associate allergies with spring time, and while the worst allergy cases probably do occur during that time for most people, allergies can continue into the fall. In a previous post, I discussed how to treat allergies with foods like local raw honey, garlic, and vitamin C. In today’s post, I’m focusing more on the causes of allergies and how you can have allergy relief using essential oils.

Common Allergy Triggers

Allergies can cause watery, puffy, itchy eyes, coughing from postnasal drip, runny nose, and scratchy throat. Here’s a list of things that can trigger allergies.

Outdoor Causes of Allergies

Ragweed is a common outdoor allergen this time of year. Ragweed releases its pollen into late fall, which means sufferers of this allergy have a while longer to be exposed.
Mold spores love to grow in wet areas. Falling leaves can be saturated by seasonal rains, giving mold a perfect place to breed. Working hard to keep those leaves raked can greatly reduce outdoor mold allergies at this time of year.

Indoor Causes of Allergies

Dust mites live in mattresses, bedding, furniture, carpets, etc. They can trigger miserable allergy symptoms, so (as much as we may not like to hear it) good housekeeping is important!
Animals can really bring on the stuffy nose and sneezing. Bathing and brushing your animals, as well as spraying your home with essential oils (recipe below) is essential!
Personal care products such as soaps, shampoos, perfumes, etc. that contain chemicals can cause allergic-like reactions (like a runny nose and scratchy throat). Opt instead for handmade products with good ingredients or truly natural products that contain essential oils and substances from nature. Many products that say “natural” are not actually natural at all.
Cleaners in the home made from harsh chemicals cause similar allergy symptoms to those caused by personal care products. I have been using natural/homemade cleaners for 10 years, and I notice a big difference when I’m in a business or home that uses harsh chemical cleaners. Essential oils have amazing cleaning power and can easily be make into healthy cleaners.
Mold can grow in any place that has too much moisture or where leaking has occurred. This includes roofs, windows, pipes, bathtubs, toilets, refrigerators, heating/ac vents, inside walls – and the list can go on. If your home smells “musty,” it’s very likely that mold is present somewhere. Mold can cause allergy symptoms as well as a host of other health problems. You can have a mold specialist check your home if you suspect you have mold but do not know the source.
Candles/air fresheners smell so wonderful and can make a house feel nice and cozy, but they are a big contributor to allergy symptoms. Some can suffer from chronic sinus infections and dizzy headaches. I personally develop a stuffy head, dizziness, and headaches when I’m around candles, and especially air fresheners, for very long. Most candles and air fresheners contain chemicals and lead that can cause miserable allergies. It’s just not worth it, ladies! 🙂 These products, especially if burned often, create a toxic, poor air quality in the home. Repeated use can cause allergies over time as well. Diffuse essential oils or buy soy candles with no lead or synthetic fragrances.

So, now that we’ve covered some common culprits leading to miserable allergy symptoms, let’s talk about a few simple ways to use essential oils to relieve them.

Essential Oil Recipes for Allergy Relief

Tea Tree Oil Spray

You will notice a big difference in reducing allergies (especially in the home) if you daily spray tea tree oil. I know of those with terrible cat allergies that can handle an indoor cat as long as they spray tea tree oil to keep the dander at bay.

Pour 1-2 tsp. of tea tree essential oil into a spray bottle. (I tend to use a stronger solution.)
Add 2 cups of water to spray bottle and shake.
Spray any source of allergies: mold, mattresses, furniture, vents, appliances, carpets, bedding, curtains, etc.

Peppermint Oil Rub

Combine 1-2 drops of peppermint essential oil with 1 teaspoon of a carrier oil.
Apply this mixture to the base of the neck and tap the thymus a couple times. Repeat this twice a day. (Source) If you don’t know where the thymus is located, see the diagram below.

Other essential oils for allergies:

Dilute these oils as described in the peppermint section above and apply where needed, diffuse them, or inhale them for allergy relief.

If I were suffering from allergies, I would try to correct the problem by eliminating the source and by using a variety of remedies. Honey, garlic, vitamin C (suggested uses for these are in this post), and essential oils are healthy foods/supplements that are simple to add to your daily lifestyle and diet. Some people find that one remedy works better than another, and others find that using several offers great benefit. These remedies work great for any time of the year!