Embracing Spring - & Allergy Season

I don’t know about you, but with outdoor weather rolling in, I’m filled with the hope, excitement, and curiosity that Spring can bring. As a Minnesotan, I’ve been stuck inside unless garbed in many many layers. It makes movement stiff and clunky. So as Spring arrives, the layers lessen, movement eases, and the mood begins to lift! But we all know what comes with warmer weather: ALLERGIES. The runny noses, the scratchy throats, the itchy eyes… it can be enough to ruin the moment. Thankfully, there are ways we can support ourselves with natural, organic essential oils. Pranarōm to the rescue.

How Essential Oils Can Support During Allergy Season

The key with many of the essential oils I’ll share with you is to be smelling them as often as possible. Breathe them in through the nose, assuming the passageway is clear, and each breath will support your needs – whether that’s helping the congestion and inflammation in the nasal cavity, supporting the body’s histamine response, or simply relaxing the mind. Let’s look at some of the oils that can promote more enjoyment of Spring and lessen the effects of allergies.

A Multi-Tasking Blend: the Confidence Mood Roller

Let’s start with the Confidence mood roller. An absolutely divine blend of Black Spruce, Coriander, Frankincense, and Blue Tansy that is, in fact, formulated to support confidence when you need a boost. But as an aromatherapist and an essential oil lover, my favorite thing about Aromatherapy? Oils always have more than one use. Their multi-faceted functionality continues to surprise me every day. And with this roll-on, you have the added benefit of a pre-diluted product, so you can roll this on any time.

I will get to the benefits that these oils offer, but believe me when I say, roll this into the palm, then rub the palms together, cup the palms, and bring them to your nose. Breathe in deeply 3 to 5 times. Close your eyes if it’s comfortable to do so. Let the oils do their work for mind and body. You can thank me later!

The Science Behind Respiratory Support: Understanding Monoterpenes

So why is this blend so wonderful for allergy season? So glad you asked. Here’s some information about these essential oils that only scratches the surface of their abilities. Every essential oil is comprised of a combination of chemical constituents, each with their own actions and therapeutic benefits.

In the case of the Confidence roller, we’re looking at a blend of essential oils that are rich in monoterpenes. Monoterpenes are a class of chemical constituents (e.g. α-Pinene, limonene, α- & γ-Terpinene, and more) whose properties have expectorant and atmospheric antiseptic capabilities. This means that breathing in these four oils target the discharge of buildup that can happen in the nose and chest, which can support ease the breath.

Take Confidence on the trail, into the garden, or wherever you like to adventure in the great outdoors. Roll it on pulse points, practice the palm inhalation technique, or just smell its beneficial aroma right out of the bottle. Its small size and lightness means you can slide it into your pocket or bag for a go-anywhere option.

Blue Tansy: A Soothing Solution for Allergy Season

Blue Tansy on its own is a great option too! Pop a couple drops in the water of your diffuser and feel the effects almost immediately. Blue Tansy is not only rich in monoterpenes whose benefits are mentioned above, but also contains chamazulene. Chamazulene is a sesquiterpene studied for its anti-allergic, antipruritic, and decongestant potential – supporting you through your spring symptoms of itchy skin, congested breathing and other histamine responses.

Sinus Formula: Your Go-To Blend for Clear Breathing

Sinus Formula is another blend I like to have with me at all times. If ever there was a blend to promote ease of breath, this would be it. A veritable vapor rub in a bottle, Sinus Formula is a blend of Eucalyptus globulus, Peppermint, Rosemary ct cineol & ct verbenone, Frankincense, Thyme ct linalol & ct thymol, and Inula. Here, Pranarōm brings together oils rich in the monoterpenes we’ve discussed, but also sesquiterpenes, ketones, and oxides that support this blend’s ability to support the respiratory system.

Eucalyptus & Frankincense: Unexpected Respiratory Allies

Eucalyptus is one of the most famous oils for supporting the respiratory system, due to its expectorant and anti-catarrhal benefits. Catarrh is a word used to describe buildup and/or discharge of mucus in the nose or throat – so it’s easy to see why Eucalyptus is such a supportive oil during allergy season. 

Frankincense is often a surprise in this blend. Most people love its affinity for the skin, using it in their skincare routine. But Frankincense has some wonderful monoterpenes, that with its sesquiterpenes give the oil the ability to support as a decongestant.

Apply Sinus Formula to the base of the nose – it’s in a base of olive oil so it’s formulated for direct application. You can also use a drop on the bridge of the nose, in front of and behind the ears (not in), or even a drop rubbed into the chest or upper back for the vapor rub-like effects.

Ravintsara Essential Oil: A Hidden Gem for Allergy Season

Lastly, today, I want to share the wonders of Ravintsara essential oil. A little history: it comes from the same tree that provides Ho Wood oil, except in the case of Ravintsara, we’re distilling from leaves of the tree when grown in Madagascar rather than the wood of the tree when grown in eastern Asia. The climate of Madagascar has wonderful effects on the tree in terms of the constituents present in the leaves. We see good levels of 1,8 cineole, an oxide, which offers wonderful allergy season support in the form of promoting respiratory function and decongestion.

Supporting Both Mind and Body During Allergy Season

Ravintsara has added benefits than anyone can appreciate, it supports the nervous system as much as the respiratory. So, if you’re feeling a little stressed by allergies and their symptoms, Ravintsara can support for symptoms and the stress. Just diffuse a little in your ultrasonic diffuser to permeate the air and help you feel better. Ravintsara is also great in palm inhalation or diluted in a carrier oil and rubbed into the chest, shoulders, and upper back.

My last tip for Ravintsara, and any of the other oils discussed today is to try them in your DIY home cleaning recipes – the only caveat being Blue Tansy. Blue Tansy’s primary constituent of chamazulene makes it dark blue and can stain surfaces.

Why Quality Matters: The Pranarōm Difference

Remember that at Pranarōm you’re getting the best quality essential oils. We batch test every oil with gas chromatography and mass spectrometery testing to understand the oil’s constituent profile – its therapeutic ingredient list. We also offer an entire catalog of Organically Certified essential oils. Using some of the best, and most stringent guidelines and certifications, we maintain our dedication to responsible and sustainable sourcing in every bottle.