6 Essential Oils to Combat Allergy Symptoms

Itchy ears and throats, runny noses, and teary eyes — it’s starting to feel like allergy season. I’m certainly not looking forward to the symptoms, but this year, I’ll have an arsenal of essential oils by my side to help me along the way.

Essential oils are extracted oils from a variety of plants. They’ve been used medicinally in traditional systems of medicine like Chinese Traditional Medicine and Ayurveda, and they’re said to have potent healing properties. 

Essential oils might not necessarily cure allergies altogether. However, they can help with managing your symptoms depending on which ones you use and how you decide to use them. You can diffuse essential oils in your home with a diffuser like any of these, you can add some of them to baths, and you can even apply some of them topically. Just make sure to dilute them with a carrier oil — like this jojoba oil from Now Solutions ($8.49, Amazon) — and do a test patch on your skin first! 

Below, see some of the most commonly used essential oils for allergies that can help you soothe symptoms fast.

Peppermint

Peppermint essential oil has shown to help reduce inflammation and can therefore help with inflamed nasal and bronchial passageways. Diffuse peppermint oil like this one from Sun Essential Oils ($9.99, Amazon) in your home to help with allergies, or you can add a drop or two to a carrier oil and rub it on your chest or back to help with breathing.

Lemon

Just like you might drink tea with lemon when you’re feeling under the weather, lemon essential oil is said to help with congestion and sinus issues. Diffuse a few drops of lemon essential oil like this one from Majestic Pure ($15.98, Amazon) along with a few drops of peppermint oil, or add some to a warm bath. 

Ginger

Ginger essential oil also helps to clear the sinuses and send congestion packing. Ginger smells pretty strong when you diffuse it, so instead, just add a few drops of ginger oil like this one from Gya Labs ($9.71, Amazon) to a bath to help you breathe with ease.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is a known decongestant, and it’s also an anti-inflammatory. Eucalyptus essential oil can cause allergies so make sure that if you’re testing before using it on your skin! Eucalyptus oil like this one from Radha Beauty ($6.95, Amazon) is pretty versatile. You can mix it with carrier oil and apply to your chest, neck,  and behind the ears, you can diffuse it with peppermint and lemon oil (or on its own), or you can put a few drops in a bath.

Chamomile 

You might recognize chamomile from your soothing nighttime tea, but the essential oil from this little flower has shown to be an effective anti-inflammatory, especially for the mucous membrane, which helps ease stuffy sinuses. Diffuse a few drops of chamomile oil like this one from Essence Lux ($9.99, Amazon) in a diffuser or use a few drops diluted on the bridge of your nose. 

Lavender 

Lavender essential oil is said to be a powerful remedy for skin allergies, in case you’re noticing any skin inflammation. Dilute lavender oil in a carrier oil and apply topically to affected areas. Lavender oil can also be used to calm inflammation and soothe you off to sleep if nighttime allergy symptoms are bothering you. Try diluting lavender oil like this one from Plant Therapy ($7.49, Amazon) in your bedroom before bed time.