7 Apr 2015

Seasonal Allergy Support With DIY Aromatherapy Shower Tablets

Posted ByRachel

Tagsallergies, aromatherapy, essential oils, remedies, seasonal allergies, shower tablets

Spring is finally here and it is so beautiful! Gardens are waking up and bees are searching out all the flowers that have suddenly bloomed. It really is a magical time of year and a great season for outdoor activities such as gardening and foraging. However, many of us deal with seasonal allergies during spring as the pollen count climbs higher, and find that we need seasonal allergy support. These allergies can range from mild to severe, and it is difficult to enjoy the beautiful weather when dealing with a bad allergic reaction. Today we will look at several ways to soothe seasonal allergies and help you get back to enjoying spring!

woman pouring baking soda into a glass bowl

Aromatherapy Shower Tablets

These tablets can be helpful if you are congested and they are easy to make and use. Try one in a morning shower to help you get ready for the day or in an evening shower to help you breathe easier while you sleep.

Ingredients

1 cup baking soda
A few teaspoons water
Several drops of essential oils—try eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.), peppermint (Mentha x piperita), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), lemon (Citrus x limon), or a combination of these. Lavender (Lavandula spp.) can be added also to help with relaxation.

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
This recipe is not exact because the amount of water you will need can vary based on humidity. Put baking soda into a bowl and add a very small amount of water. Stir it in and add a bit more. Keep doing this until it just holds together, you do not want the mixture to be too thin.
When it is well mixed but still fairly thick, pour into a mini muffin pan (using a silicone pan will make these much easier to remove; if you use a metal pan it is a good idea to line it with paper cupcake liners).
Put the pan in your preheated oven to dry, this should take 15-20 minutes.
Remove from oven and let the tablets cool completely in the pan.
Once cool, add a few drops of essential oil to each tablet. A little goes a long way here as too much moisture will cause the tablet to fall apart. Remove tablets from pan and store in a jar until needed.

To use your shower tablets, put one tablet on the shower floor while showering. The tablet will slowly dissolve, and the essential oils and steam will create vapors that can help clear congestion. The benefits of an aromatherapy shower can be twofold, as showering after spending time outdoors will wash away pollen on your hair and body.

Along those same lines, be sure to change clothes after outdoor activities as they collect pollen, too. Avoid drying laundry on a clothesline when the pollen count is high and keep windows closed. I know that can be difficult when the weather is so nice, but keeping windows closed for a few days when the pollen count is very high can cut down on pollen exposure and keep allergy symptoms more manageable.

essential oil being dropped into diffuser

Essential Oil Diffuser Blend

Using an essential oil diffuser is a good way to soothe congestion throughout the day. I have a diffuser in my home and another one in my car and I use them both during allergy season. My favorite blend for allergies is eucalyptus, peppermint, and lemon. I find this clears my congestion and soothes headaches that often come with seasonal allergies. Try these oils in your diffuser, or use your own favorite oils and create a customized blend that works for you. Check out this article to learn how to choose high quality essential oils.

Hydration

Another important way to soothe seasonal allergies is by staying hydrated. Drinking plenty of water will help thin mucus. Nettle tea is also a great beverage for those who experience seasonal allergies, as it is thought to act as a natural antihistamine. A pitcher full of iced nettle tea can be very refreshing and nutritive! Nettle (Urtica dioica) can be found growing wild in many places during the sping—another example of nature providing for us by giving us this plant when we need it most. To read more about nettle and other herbal allies for seasonal allergies, see this article.

With a few DIY recipes and herbal supports like these, allergy season can be much easier, allowing you to enjoy spring to the fullest!