Seasonal Environmental Allergies
Who has seasonal allergies! Me- I do!
These remedies are based on doctors recommendations, natural remedies, general wellness and more. This is for people who have multiple low level environmental allergies, and not life threatening or food related allergies. Please take what works for you and leave the rest. As always- if there is a concern- talk to your doctor.
The first thing to do is cut down your allergy load. If you have allergies, there is a rating (1-10) for how allergic you are to something. It is now known that your allergic load (the accumulative affect of your multiple allergies) can have a similar affect as more significant ones.) Here are ways that can help….
Make your bedroom an allergy free zone. You spend up to 1/3 of your life in your bedroom and if you can limit allergies there, it can give your body better rest. Depending on your allergies, you could
- No zone for animals
- Remove down bedding and replace with allergy free materials including coverings for pillows and mattress that can be washed. (And wash them frequently. Heat in dryer is good for the pillows)
- Have hepa air filters going and keep bedroom windows closed
- Remove anything extra that could encourage dust and mold- including bookcases, carpeting.
Reducing the load in the rest of the house:
- Air filters (I especially like the Molekule)
- Frequent vacuuming (with hepa filters)
- Eliminating wall to wall carpeting
- Cover everything (couches, chairs) and wash the coverings frequently
- Reduce the number of things that gather dust.
- Hiring someone else to do the dusting
Limit the number of “fragrances” you use in the house and use natural products instead
Note: An average adult is exposed to more than 700,000 different toxic chemicals on a daily basis.
- “Fragrance” on labels can cover multiple of chemicals that don’t need to be individually listed. Even “unscented” can be misleading. Additionally, the EWG says “ fragrance formulas are considered to be among the top 5 known allergens, and can trigger asthma attacks. The top guilty are fragrances in cleaning products, scented candles, dryer sheets, dish washer detergent and air fresheners.
- Using more natural products or natural essential oils means you cut down on indoor pollution – especially important if anyone in your family suffers from allergies, asthma or other chronic illness… Note: allergies to individual products can still occur, but provide less toxic load than unsafe checmicals.
- And using essential oils makes the house smell great!
My favorite Essential Oils for Sinus Health
Essential Oils that support seasonal wellness:
My favorite oils are peppermint, lemon and lavender. It is stimulating, relaxing.
Peppermint- stimulating
Lemon- bright and stimulating* not for your skin
Lavender- relaxing, calming
Other great essential oils you could use:
Eucalyptus (globulus)- note: excellent nasal decongestant but any of the eucalyptus family MAY trigger asthma. (And it may make asthma better too.)
Orange oil- good for sinus swelling- only citrus oil to use at night
Cedarwood- good alternative to eucalyptus (especially for under 9 YO)
Tea tree- anti fungal
Frankincense- good for night, exhaustion.
Ways to Use the Oils
Inhaler stick- personal wellness straight to your sinus’s. They last 3 months or so. Great for travel.
Sinus wellness inhaler- 5 drops each eucalyptus globulous, tea tree and orange essential oil.
Season allergies inhaler- 5 drops each peppermint, lemon and lavender essential oils.
In shower- drop a few drops on the ground just after you step in (so the oils don’t go down the drain)
Skin application- diluted lavender or peppermint on your chest (rises to nose)
Diffuser: a few drops diffused in a large area
Steam bowl: Hot water in a bowl, towel to tent – up to eyes. Few drops of oil will be a QUICK, FAST, few drops. More concentrated steam than the shower or diffuser. Don’t let steam get in your eyes…
Other nasal health :
Using Flonase (nose steroid- over the counter) and anti-histamines do lessen the load. Check with your doctor to see if these would work for you.
Nasal lavage (Netti syringe) has made a massive difference in mine and my clients nasal passages. I now see stacks of these in my ENT’s office. (Initially, they didn't credit it to help.) My story: I always had post nasal drip, that tickle cough. It had been recommended that I use a Neil Med nasal syringe- with a saline solution. This made a huge difference in my nasal discharge. (It is thought that it might flush out allergans that you breathe in.) I think it keeps my sinus swelling down. Possibly due to the saline solution.
Posture can help with sinus drainage (not specifically with allergies) Sinus’s are meant to drain and the position of your neck/head over your body will assist in ideal nasal drainage. Here is an Egoscue routine for improved head alignment to improve sinus drainage… This will help SO much more than just helping sinus’s. Maybe your headaches will improve…
Video HERE
