Relieving spring allergies with aromatherapy
Natural allies to relieve allergies
With the arrival of spring, nature wakes up and pollen flies through the air. Unfortunately, this springtime atmosphere can turn into an ordeal when you suffer from allergies. Runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing fits, itching, all these symptoms are those of allergic rhinitis, more commonly known as hay fever. Sometimes these symptoms are compounded by asthma, conjunctivitis, sinusitis, etc. Linked to a hyper-reactivity to the environment, this type of allergy is due to an imbalance in the immune system, which will overreact. Stress and anxiety can also accentuate the phenomenon of allergies.
As a complement to allopathy, essential oils and hydrosols can be very valuable in preventing the onset of hay fever, soothing allergies and softening the symptoms while helping to restore an overall emotional balance.
Step 1: Preventing allergies
Organic nigella (or black cumin) vegetable oil: taken internally, it is known to strengthen the immune system and reduce allergy symptoms.
To fight hay fever, take half a teaspoon of Nigella vegetable oil twice a day as a course of treatment, starting before the allergies begin and continuing until summer.
Warning: this oil is not recommended for pregnant women because it contains a small percentage of nigella essential oil, which makes it a very active oil!
To prevent and alleviate allergies, André Bitsas recommends the following mixture of hydrosols, to be taken internally:
- organic green myrtle cineole hydrosol
- organic sweet woodruff hydrosol
- organic chamomile matricaria hydrosol
Mix the three hydrosols in equal parts in a bottle. Drink 20ml of the mixture daily diluted in 1l of water. Follow for 3 weeks.
If the emotional dimension is very present, with a tendency to somatise whatever the manifestations, the organic orange blossom hydrosol can be used alone or in association with the above mixture of hydrosols.
Step 2: Calm the symptoms of hay fever
The essential oil of the situation when allergies become very unpleasant: organic tarragon, known for its anti-allergic action, particularly on respiratory allergies.
Put 3 to 4 drops of tarragon essential oil on a tissue and breathe in as often as necessary to relieve hay fever.
To facilitate breathing, André Bitsas recommends the essential oil of hyssop canescens. It is used in a massage on the bust, diluted in a vegetable oil (organic apricot oil for example) with a maximum dosage of 20% essential oil.
Organic niaouli essential oil can also be used in massage diluted in a vegetable oil, with a maximum dosage of 20% essential oil. It can be used alone or in synergy with frankincense and chamomile essential oils for a massage oil that will harmonise breathing.
Step 3: Clear the nose
To soothe allergies, make a homemade nasal spray with chamomile matricaria hydrosol, rose geranium hydrosol and fine lavender hydrosol.
Mix them in the same proportions in a glass spray bottle and then spray this mixture into each nostril two to three times a day.
It is best to keep your bottle in the refrigerator when not in use.
Step 4: Soothe swollen, red and irritated eyes
Very soothing, cornflower and Roman chamomile hydrosols relieve swollen and irritated eyes caused by allergic rhinitis.
Apply them as a compress to the closed eyes, soaking a washable cotton wipe or organic cotton discs with the hydrosols beforehand.
*Precautions to be taken for a good use of essential oils
Essential oils are very active, always use them on the advice of your health practitioner, by referring to reference books on aromatherapy and by reading the description of each essential oil on the Bioflore website.
Essential oils are not recommended for young children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, or for people with health problems, seizure disorders or a history of hormone-dependent cancer.
If you are undergoing medical treatment, always seek the advice of your doctor before using essential oils.
