Gentle Essential Oils With Antihistamine Properties

By Caryn Gehlmann

Antihistamines… we hear that word frequently, especially if you suffer from seasonal allergies. But what exactly is histamine? And are there essential oils with antihistamine properties that can provide you with some relief, without throwing your body’s natural system off balance?

Histamine is a chemical compound released by the cells in response to an injury, allergic, or inflammatory reaction that causes the contraction of smooth muscle and the dilation of capillaries. The release of histamine is a normal defense by your body, but an exaggerated histamine response can bind to cell receptor sites resulting in irritation and chronic inflammation.

The inflammatory response of histamine can cause sneezing, runny nose, watery, red itchy eyes, rashes, and breathing difficulties such as wheezing, severe coughs, asthma, or hiccups. If you’ve ever experienced these symptoms, especially on a regular basis, they can be exhausting!

However, because histamine performs critical functions in the body, we want to balance, not block the histamine response. Ideally, you want to modulate histamine release, not eradicate it. Otherwise, you’re trading one set of unpleasant symptoms for another, like drowsiness, dry mouth, brain fog, or fatigue.

Essential oils with antihistamine properties are an ideal natural approach to the inflammatory response of histamine, as they can easily permeate our nasal cavities to loosen mucus and promote drainage. They smell good, and help clear your head, without nasty side effects!

The following essential oils with antihistamine properties are good options for natural antihistamine support:

Lavender Spike
Helichrysum
Rosemary
Peppermint
Ravensara

We also have e3 blends that are supportive when you’re feeling the negative effects of histamine in your system:

Respiratory
Courageous
Concentrate

e3’s Respiratory blend, in particular, is designed to relax breathing, ease congestion, lessen the possibility of infection, and support your natural immune system response. If your chest feels tight, the antispasmodic essential oils used can relax your chest muscles and support deeper breathing.

How can you use essential oils to find relief from allergies?

Diffusion is one of the best ways, as it promotes healthy breathing as you put the antihistamine essential oils into the air. However, when you’re having a strong allergic response, take your time before filling the room with scent. Open a bottle you think would be soothing and just take a quick sniff (perhaps at a distance) before recapping, and see how your body responds. If you feel like it helps calm your breathing and you find the scent relaxing, then go ahead and start diffusing.

Diffusion isn’t always possible if you’re out and about or if you share space with others who don’t appreciate the same scents you do! You can find relief by placing your essential oil or blend in a personal aromatherapy inhaler. Or you might decide to use it topically. Be sure to dilute with a carrier oil, such as jojoba oil, olive oil, or fractionated coconut oil, according to directions or your own sensitivity. (e3 roll-ons have already been diluted so they’re ready for on-the-go application.)

The goal is to help your body achieve balance and everyone’s body is different! So take it slow, educate yourself on different essential oils. Feel free to reach out to our team of clinical aromatherapists if you have questions, especially about essential oils with antihistamine properties. We understand that seasonal allergies can make you feel miserable! For tips on how to use essential oils safely and effectively as well as various uses and application methods to improve your health and wellbeing, download the free ebook, “Listen” to Your Nose – An Introduction to Aromatherapy.