Can Essential Oils Help with
Seasonal Allergies? BY DAWN FLICKEMA, MD, AVERA MEDICAL GROUP INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE
Y
es! Essential oils can be a great way to help decrease the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Some of the general symptoms of seasonal allergies include: • Sneezing • Wheezing • Nasal congestion • Coughing • Itchy, watery eyes • Runny nose • Itchy throat • Stomachache • Itchy skin • Hives • Fatigue • Irritability
How Do Essential Oils Work? Today’s professional practitioners use approximately 300 essential oils for their healing effects. However, as few as 10 essential oils can cover the needs of most households for
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antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, pain, mood and relaxation uses. The most effective way to use an essential oil is through inhalation or application to the skin in a carrier oil such as coconut oil, jojoba oil or olive oil. Pure essential oils have a chemical structure that is able to stimulate the olfactory nerve. The olfactory nerve is one of your 12 cranial nerves arising directly out of the brain. When you stimulate the olfactory nerve, it feeds back directly into the brain. Different essential oils will differ as to what area of the brain is stimulated. The oil must be smelled for five minutes to stimulate the olfactory nerve. Then it takes 15 minutes for the effect to occur in the brain.
Relieving Allergy Symptoms Avera Medical Group Integrative Medicine can help you
