Ahead of the sneezy season, learn about essential oils for allergies to help you ease symptoms.

Here are seven of the best to try.

They wont cure your allergies no matter how many days in a row you diffuse an elaborate blend.

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However, certain types have anecdotally been effective for allergy relief, thanks to their anti-inflammatory properties.

Sometimes all youre getting is the nasal symptom control, Dr. Lin says.

Regardless, any kind of relief cannot be underestimated during allergy season.

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doctor of Chinese medicine and author ofMyung Sung: The Korean Art of Living Meditation

Smell, er, sound good?

Here are some essential oils for allergies that can calm your most annoying symptoms.

7 of the best essential oils for allergies worth trying

1. you might diffuse lemongrass, or sip on lemongrass tea to enjoy the same congestion-clearing benefit.

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Lavender

Its difficult to rest and relax when youre clogged up with allergy symptoms.

The ever-versatile lavender essential oil is calming, but its also an anti-inflammatorythat can potentially decrease mucus.

And those are magic words for any allergy sufferer.

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Chamomile

Along with lemongrass, Dr. Lin says chamomile oils antihistamine properties help target your stuffiness.

Its Amazing How Its All Connected.

Peppermint has, however, been shown tolower inflammationandease coughingbecause of its calming effect on muscles.

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doctor of Chinese medicine and author ofMyung Sung: The Korean Art of Living Meditation

It makes you feel better, but its not really reducing the allergy response per se, she says.

That said, anything that helps you breathe out of your nose again is more than welcome.

Lemon

Research showsthis bright citrus oil could help treat allergic rhinitis or hay fever.

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Those with hay fever who inhaled the blend for a week felt happier and slept better.

For instance, she says, peppermint oil contains menthol, which some people are allergic to.

If you use essential oils for allergies topically, an adverse reaction may manifest as a rash.

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If used as aromatherapy, an effect may be an irritated nasal passage or headache.

For that reason, Dr. Kim recommends testing the essential oil first.

5 pro tips for using essential oils properly

1.

Ensure youre buying quality essential oils

Not all essential oils are created equally.

If essential oils are not properly formulated, they may not offer any benefits at all.

Diffusers are very simple to use and you could begin experiencing the effects rather quickly, she says.

To make your own, simply dilute essential oils in water inside a spray bottle.

Apply essential oils topically

Some essential oils for allergies can also be applied topically to the skin.

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