In addition to preventing allergies by sinus rinsing, another great way to treat seasonal allergies without medication is by using essential oils. When I initially researched using essential oils for my allergies, I came across the following recipe:
Honey Lavender Allergy remedy
1 tbsp local honey
1-2 drops of food-grade Lavender essential oil
I put it on a spoon and swallow it. My kids actually LOVE this so much that my son lies about having allergies so that he can have it.
Two caveats to this recipe:
1) Make certain that the essential oil you are using is graded FS (Food Safe) or GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) by the FDA. Most oils you buy at a retail store will say "aromatherapy use only" - do not take these oils internally. Of course, you know that I sell Young Living oils. YL's Lavender is rated FS and GRAS by the FDA. Another brand that is FS/GRAS is DoTerra.
2) You want to make sure that you use honey from local bees. This is because the pollen they collect is from the local species of trees and flowers to which you are having a reaction. Having the pollen of plants from another area or state is not very helpful in assisting your body with the allergic reaction to local plants.
We have been using the above recipe with a great deal of success, but when allergens got really bad it wasn't enough for me. I was still getting sinus headaches.
One day a friend of mine who had just bought some Lavender oil from me through Young Living texted me saying she'd accidentally swallowed 5-6 drops of Lavender, instead of 1-2, when making the Honey Lavender remedy. She was worried that might be too much. I didn't think it sounded like too much but told her to look out for diarrhea, which can occur when you ingest too much of an essential oil. Then she texted back a short while later saying that her allergic reaction was really gone (and no potty related side effects)! As a result, I started doing this myself intentionally.
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 they work as well for you as they did for me!
