I used to dread the sneezy, itchy, stuffy feeling of allergy season, but not anymore. Inflammation causes many health issues, from arthritis to allergies. But thankfully it’s possible to reverse inflammation and allergies for good! These simple home remedies for allergy relief really work.

What are Seasonal Allergies?

Seasonal allergies are sometimes called hay fever. The official term is allergic rhinitis. Perennial allergic rhinitis is when symptoms last all year long. According to Mayo Clinic allergy symptoms can include:

• Runny nose
• Congestion
• Sneezing
• Coughing and sinus drainage
• An itchy mouth and throat
• Tiredness

Everyday things like pollen, dust, and pet dander can trigger allergic reactions. Our bodies then release antibodies and become inflamed in an attempt to fix the problem.

Allergy Relief Without Meds

When I was young I vividly remember the dread of allergy season. My swollen tonsils ached, I sneezed constantly, and the unbearable itch drove me crazy. I was on prescription allergy medications at the ripe old age of 8, but I hated them. Lilac scented spray up the nose isn’t my idea of fun.

As a teenager, I cleaned up my diet, ate more organic food, and my allergies disappeared.
Several years ago I was exposed to toxic black mold (which took a major toll on my health) and my allergies flared. However, with a clean diet and the right home remedies for allergy relief my symptoms are under control. As I detox from the mold I’ve noticed even fewer allergy symptoms.

What Causes Seasonal Allergies?

Although pollen and dust can cause histamine reactions, they’re not the real problem. Medications, antibiotics, pesticides, and other toxins damage the gut so it becomes permeable (aka leaky gut). A damaged gut lets particles slip through and the body attacks. Allergy symptoms are the body’s way to get rid of the invader.

Our microbes play another important role that prevent allergy symptoms.

“Every mucosal surface on your body is colonized by a distinct group of microbes, including your gut lungs and nasal passages. Far from causing harm, these microbes “teach” your immune system to tolerate dietary proteins and other harmless allergens in the environment.” – (Kresser, 2019)

Strong Bodies For Natural Allergy Relief

Microbiome damage paired with a weak adrenal, immune, and digestive system equals allergies. Here are some tips to nurture gut health:

•  Focus on real, unprocessed foods
• Use natural sweeteners and avoid processed inflammation causing white sugar
• Avoid pesticides in food and water
• Use toxin-free household products  (cleaners, air fresheners, bleach, etc.)
• Avoid unnecessary medications and antibiotics

#1 Clean Your Plate to Ditch Allergies for Good

Certain foods can cause inflammation and leaky gut, while others strengthen the body. Often food sensitivities don’t show up on tests, so an elimination diet, like this one, is a better way to find out. Here are the top offenders to ditch for allergy relief.

Ditch the Dairy … Maybe

Even raw or organic dairy can cause inflammation, congestion, and worsen leaky gut for some. For those with allergies it’s best to get rid of the milk products, at least during allergy season. If you do want some dairy, yogurt has live probiotics which help gut health and is easier to digest (Romm, 2018).

Certain types of milk are thought to cause excess phlegm and other health problems. Cow breeds like Jersey and Guernsey make A2 milk, which is easier to digest and healthier than A1 milk. If you’re going to drink milk, local, raw, A2 milk is the best option (Mercola, 2010).

Wheat and Refined Carbs

White flour and other processed grains do a number on gut health. Many people are also sensitive to wheat proteins, like gluten. Farmers often spray wheat with toxic glyphosate which damages gut health even more. Sadly, even organic wheat in the US has high levels of glyphosate (Thomas, 2014).

#2 Do a Healing Diet

GAPS, AIP (autoimmune paleo), and the 4R program are all used to reverse allergies. The diets have some differences, yet they approach the problem the same. Healing diets eliminate inflammatory foods that trigger allergies. They also highlight nourishing foods to strengthen the body. The key to healing allergies for good is to fix gut damage and eliminate toxins.

Eating for Allergies

It’s important to drink plenty of healthy fluids to flush out toxins and irritants that cause inflammation. Healthy fats like grass-fed butter (if tolerated), coconut oil, and olive oil help lubricate tissues so they function well (McDonald, n.d.).

How to Treat Allergic Rhinitis Naturally

Eating clean, avoiding toxins, and healing the gut are vital to reversing seasonal allergies for good. In the meantime, those pesky symptoms can get on the nerves.

The good news? Even those on allergy medications (like I was) can experience natural relief. In multiple studies, many ditched their allergy meds with diet changes and the right supplements.

Supplements should ideally be started 6 weeks before allergy season. Home remedies for allergy relief need time to strengthen the body’s systems to resist allergens (Mills & Bone, 1999). Even if allergy season is in full force there’s no need to panic. These allergy remedies help decrease inflammation, reduce histamine, and many provide immediate relief.

#3 Herbs for Allergies

The best offense is a good defense and the same is true with our immune system. Immune building herbs help the body be more resistant to allergens. Herbalist David Winston recommends echinacea to fortify the immune system and fight allergies. Winston goes on to say it may be necessary to treat allergies at a deeper level. This may include :

• Cleansing herbs like cleavers.
• Lymphatic detoxing herbs, like poke root.
• Herbs that stimulate bile production to aid digestion and the removal of toxins in the body. It’s no use to release toxins if the toxins never leave! These can include dandelion and globe artichoke.
• Herbs that cleanse and support the liver, like dandelion and milk thistle.

Our bodies have different detox pathways and when one doesn’t function well it can weaken the entire system. Our body can work like a well-oiled machine when we use herbs that target the different systems (Winston & Maimes, 2007).

#4 Reduce Stress

Stress can worsen allergies (and everything else). Researchers interviewed 179 allergy sufferers and found emotional stress caused more allergy flares (Patterson et al, 2014). Techniques like deep breathing, prayer, meditation, and minimizing stressful situations can help relieve allergy symptoms. Adaptogens, tonics, nervines and sleep aid herbs can also be added if necessary (Winston & Maimes, 2007).

• Adaptogens and tonics (help the body adapt to stressors): Eleuthero root, ashwaganda, and tulsi (holy basil).
• Nervines (support the nervous system): Lemon balm, catnip and chamomile.
• Sleep aids: Kava kava, passion flower, and hops.

Using Herbs so They Work

Herbs work best when they’re tailored to the individual. I haven’t given detailed herb information here for the sake of space. If you think it’s something you need I recommend researching an herb first to see if it’s the right fit. Matching random herbs to a condition can be ineffective at least and harmful at worst.

Don’t feel confident doing it yourself? A consultation with a qualified health practitioner can be helpful.

#5 Use a Neti Pot For Instant Allergy Relief

It’s gross, it’s weird, and results are instant. Nasal irrigation or nasal washes can be done with all sorts of contraptions, but my favorite is the humble neti pot. The water goes in one nostril and out the other, taking dust, allergens, and toxins out with it. You can see how I use a neti pot for fast allergy relief here.

#6 Use An Herbal Sinus Rinse

Herbal teas soothe and restore the throat, but they can do the same thing for nasal passages. Certain herbs tighten loose tissues that cause sneezing and a runny nose, while others calm inflammation. When blended together in the right way, herbal sinus rinses are a powerful natural allergy remedy. Get all the details on how to create a custom herbal sinus rinse here. 

#7 Use Essential Oils for Allergies

Inhaling essential oils is the perfect way to address sinus issues as they go right to the source. In this study participants smelled a blend of frankincense, sandalwood, and ravensera essential oil. At the end of the trial the essential oil group had less allergy symptoms, better quality of life, slept better, and weren’t as tired as the placebo group (Choi & Park, 2016).

• Ravensera may not only reduce allergy symptoms, but could prevent the body from mounting an attack in the first place.
• Frankincense reduces allergy symptoms and calms inflammation.
• Sandalwood helps the nervous system. This oil elevates the parasympathetic nervous system. It also stimulates nerves in the nose for fewer allergic reactions.

#8 Lavender vs Steroids

This study looked at people with chronic allergies. The group that used lavender essential oil saw allergy relief similar to the group that used cortisone steroids. The cortisone group had less congestion and runny nose symptoms. The lavender oil group had less fatigue and confusion (Anushiravani et al, 2018).

While lavender essential oil may not be enough on its own to tackle every allergy symptom, it can be part of the natural solution.

#9 The Triple Threat for Allergy Relief

Lavender, lemon, and peppermint combined are a popular home remedy for allergies. These oils can be diffused or (properly) ingested. I’ll put 1 drop of each in a capsule, fill it to the top with olive oil and take 2-3 capsules a day when I need symptom relief. The following information comes from aromatherapist Julia Lawless.

• Lavender helps reduce histamine reactions and helps respiratory issues like bronchitis and asthma.
• Lemon, like lavender, eases respiratory issues with the added benefit of thinning mucus. I’ve found that lemon can thin mucus too much if there’s no congestion present, which results in lots of nose blowing.
• Peppermint improves congestion and excess mucus. It calms spasms to help coughing caused by a drippy nose and provides the feel of clear breathing. Mint also helps relieve headaches which can go along with allergies.

Who Shouldn’t Use This?

Internal use of peppermint can worsen acid reflux so use caution or avoid if this is an issue. Peppermint can also decrease breastmilk supply so don’t ingest if breastfeeding. It’s also advised to avoid ingesting essential oils while pregnant (Lawless, 2013).

Supplements and Natural Remedies for Allergies

These are best taken 6 weeks before the start of allergy season to build the body’s systems. You don’t have to take every single item on the list, and different home remedies for allergies will work better for different people.

#10 Resveratrol

The antioxidant resveratrol lowers the body’s inflammatory response to help relieve allergies. In this study those who used a resveratrol nasal spray saw reduced allergy symptoms and less inflammation compared to the placebo group (Lv et al, 2018).

How to Use Resveratrol for Allergies

Resveratrol can be found in grape juice, grapes, vinegar, roasted peanuts, raw lingonberry, and wine. LinfoVir plus nasal spray can be found here, and resveratrol supplements can be found here. Massive doses of resveratrol (about 204 grams a day for the average 150 pound person) can cause cell damage, but it would be difficult to down that much (Mukherjee et al, 2010).

#11 Quercetin

Like resveratrol, quercetin is a potent antioxidant that shows promise for allergy relief. In this study quercetin helped prevent the body from releasing histamine and lowered inflammation. The suggested dose is 400-500mg three times a day. You can find quercetin supplements here. (Scalbert, 2015), (Mlcek et al, 2016).

Quercetin rich foods include:

• capers
• radish leaves
• fresh dill
• fennel leaves
• red onions
• garlic
• berries
• kale
• okra

#12 Vitamin C

Vitamin C is popular during cold season for immune support, but it also lowers blood histamine levels. The highest sources of vitamin C are guavas, bell peppers, kiwi, and camu camu berry.  Camu camu berry powder is my favorite way to get whole food vitamin C (not synthetic isolated supplements). One teaspoon of camu camu has 760% of your daily value of vitamin C!

Men need at least 90 mg of vitamin C daily and women need at least 75 mg. If you take more than 2,000 mg of vitamin C though you might make a rush to the toilet or have other digestive issues (NIH, 2018). You can get whole food vitamin C powder (camu camu) here.

#13 Bromelain

Found in pineapple the enzyme bromelain helps provide allergy relief. Bromelain reduces inflammation in the nose, thins mucus, and is anti-inflammatory. The recommended dose is 500-2,000 mg daily (Helms & Miller, 2006). You can get bromelain supplements here.

#14 N -acetylcysteine (NAC)

N -acetylcysteine (NAC) may be a mouthful, but this antioxidant is great for alleriges. NAC helps thins mucus and reduces nasal inflammation. One animal study found that NAC prevented inflammatory cells from building up and reduced inflammatory markers (Guibas et al, 2013).

The recommended dose is 200-500 mg, 3 times a day. Too much can cause nausea, vomiting, and other digestive discomforts. You can get NAC here.

#15 The Best Herbs for Allergy Relief

Nettle is one of the most researched home remedies for allergy relief and abundantly available fresh in springtime. In one study allergy sufferers all saw symptom improvement after taking nettle, while 58% had zero symptoms. About half of the study participants said the nettle worked as well as their antihistamine medication (Helms & Miller, 2006).

Recommended nettle dosage is 8-12 grams a day of dried nettle, or 7-14 milliliters of nettle leaf tincture. I’ve had good success with dried nettle tea, however other herbalists say fresh is more effective (Mills & Bone, 1999). You can find nettle glycerite capsules here. 

#16 Reduce Mucus and Clear Congestion

Anti-catarrhal herbs help clear extra mucus from the respiratory system. These are useful when everything feels plugged and there’s drainage, coughing, and nose blowing. Eyebright, elder, ground ivy, mullein, and goldenseal are all good options. These can be taken as a powder or made into tea and are best taken before meals. The following information comes from Principles and Practices of Phytotherapy.

#17 Eyebright

This herb is great for itchy, irritated eyes and also reduces extra mucus in the respiratory system. Eyebright tightens mucus membranes and is anti-inflammatory for when there’s lots of sneezing and an itchy nose. There’s some evidence eyebright is antibacterial and antiviral. This makes it useful for colds with their itchy, sneezy, wet symptoms.

Eyebright is generally safe with no known precautions. The recommended dose is 2-4 gram of herb made into a tea and drank 3 times a day. Tincture dosage is 2-6 milliliters of a 1:5 tincture 3 times a day. You can get eyebright tea here, and eyebright tincture here.

#18 Soothe Itchy Eyes

Eyebright tea can also be used as a soothing compress on the eyes to relieve itchiness, redness, and inflammation. Make a tea with eyebright and soak a cloth in the solution and lay it across the eyelids. Chamomile can be used with the eyebright to calm inflammation. Some recommend using eyebright tea (impeccably strained!) as an eye wash, but I’ve never been brave enough to try it!

#19 Spikenard for better Immunity

This isn’t the same spikenard referenced in the Bible, but Aralia racemose. This type of spikenard strongly influences the autoimmune sensitivity of mucus membranes. Spikenard is helpful for itching, sneezing and coughing. The herb also strengthens coughs and thins mucus to help expel allergens.

Recommended dosage of spikenard is 5-40 drops of tincture, however it should not be used during pregnancy (Wood, 2009). You can get spikenard tincture here.

#20 Allergy Relief Herbal Tea

This is my go to recipe for allergy symptoms and it sure beats lilac scented drugs up the nose.

Peppermint is an activator herb to boost the effectiveness and reduce excess mucus. I’ve found that lavender essential oil is more effective than the herb as an antihistamine, so I prefer to use the oil. Locally sourced honey helps alleviate allergy symptoms and safely dilutes the lavender oil to prevent irritation.

Allergy tea ingredients:

• 1 tsp nettle leaf
• 1 tsp peppermint leaf (substitute nettle if breastfeeding or you have acid reflux)
• 2 tsp local raw or manuka honey
• 1 drop lavender essential oil
• 1 cup water

Allergy tea instructions:

1. Combine the honey and lavender oil together in the bottom of a mug. Stir until the oil is well mixed in and looks like very tiny bubbles.
2. Boil water in a pan, add the nettle and peppermint, turn off the heat and cover. Let the herbs steep for 5-10 minutes.
3. Strain the tea into the mug and stir to combine.
4. Sip as needed to relieve allergy symptoms.

Do you have allergy symptoms? Which home remedies for allergy relief have worked the best for you?

References:

• Anushiravani, M., Bakhshaee, M., Taghipour A., Mehri M. (2018). Comparison of the therapeutic effect of the Persian Medicine Protocol with the common treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis: a randomized clinical trial. Electron Physician. 10(7), 7017-7027. doi: 10.19082/7017.
• WebMD. (2018). How can I make my own saline solution for a neti pot? 
• Choi, S. Park, K. (2016). Effect of Inhalation of Aromatherapy Oil on Patients with Perennial Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. doi: 10.1155/2016/7896081
•  Guibas, G., Spandou, E., Meditskou, S., Vyzantiadis, T., Priftis, K., Anogianakis G. (2013). N-acetylcysteine exerts therapeutic action in a rat model of allergic rhinitis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 3(7), 543-9. doi: 10.1002/alr.21145
•  Helms, S., Miller, A. (2006). Natural Treatment of Chronic Rhinosinusitis. Alternative Medicine Review, 11(3).
• Kresser, C. (2019). Got Allergies? Your microbes could be responsible.
•  Lawless, J. (2013). The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils. San Francisco, CA: Conari Press.
•  Li, C., Lin, H., Lin, C., Hsu, T., (2019). Effectiveness of Hypertonic Saline Nasal Irrigation for Alleviating Allergic Rhinitis in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 8(1), 64. doi: 10.3390/jcm8010064
• Lv, C., Zhang, Y., Shen, L. (2018). Preliminary Clinical Effect Evaluation of Resveratrol in Adults with Allergic Rhinitis. Int Arch Allergy Immunol.175(4):231-236. doi: 10.1159/000486959.
• McDonald, J. (n.d.). Surviving Sinusitis. 
• Mercola. (2010). Does Drinking Milk Cause Upper Respiratory Congestion. 
• Mills, S. & Bone, K. (1999). Principles and Practices of Phytotherapy. Churchill Livingstone.
•  Mlcek, J., Jurikova, T., Skrovankova, S., Sochor, J. (2016). Quercetin and Its Anti-Allergic Immune Response. Molecules. 21(5), 623. doi: 10.3390/molecules21050623
•  Mukherjee, S., Dudley, J., Dipak, D.(2010). Dose-Dependency of Resveratrol in Providing Health Benefits. Dose Response. 8(4), 478–500. doi: 10.2203/dose-response.09-015.Mukherjee
•  National Institutes of Health (NIH), (2018). Vitamin C Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. 
• Patterson, A., Yildiz, V., Klatt, M., Malarkey, W. (2014). Perceived stress predicts allergy flares. Annals of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, 112(4), 317–321. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anai.2013.07.013
• Romm, A. (2018). Kick Your Allergies for Good by Healing Your Gut. 
• Romm, A. (2018). An MD’s Top Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies. 
• Scalbert, A. (2015). Phenol Explorer.
• Thomas, J. (2014). Is Glyphosate Responsible for Your Health Problems? 
• Winston, D. & Maimes, S. (2007) Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.

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Unhappy Hormones

Unbalanced hormones can cause a whole host of issues. Antibiotics, birth control, stressful schedules, and exposure to toxins in our air and water can all make for some unhappy hormones. Here’s a list of some of the most common symptoms of hormone imbalance:

• Facial hair
• low or no sex drive
• mood swings
• blood sugar crashes
• chronic or extreme fatigue
• chronic yeast infections
• hypothyroidism
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome

As someone who is struggling with hormone balance myself, I totally get it. It’s frustrating and messy, and sometimes feels overwhelming. While balancing hormones takes concentrated time and effort, I want to be sure that I’m implementing methods into my life that are doable, effective, totally not complicated.

Hormone balancing maca milk

Maca is an adaptogen herb, supports the adrenal glands and helps balance hormones. Cinnamon adds flavor to the recipe and helps balance blood sugar levels in the body. I’ve finished the recipe off with some raw honey for a hint of sweetness without throwing the body through a hormonal loop like sugar does. Here’s the maca I use.

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This controversy has been raging ever since the battle between certain essential oil companies and traditionally trained aromatherapists began. There are strong arguments and opinions on both sides of the aisle, but who is right on this one? I don’t claim to know everything on the issue, but as an herbalist who has since branched into aromatology and aromatherapy, I’d like to give this issue some attention. Is it safe, or is it dangerous to ingest essential oils?

Myth busting

First I’d like to begin with some common ingestion myths. As with anything there is a proper balance. Extremes on either end can be harmful.

1. Essential oils should never be consumed under any circumstance.

I guarantee you’ve consumed essential oils to some degree in your life time. Ever had a breath mint? Altoids and other brands list “oil of peppermint” on the ingredients list. If you’ve ever brushed your teeth with a natural toothpaste, most likely it contained essential oils for flavoring. This brand of fermented cod liver oil is widely touted (and now controversial) in WAPF circles, and it’s flavored with essential oils. Essential oils have been used to flavor food, especially natural foods, for many years.

2. Essential oils should only be consumed under the guidance of an aromatherapist.

Aromatherapists typically have only a few hundred hours of essential oil training. This traditional approach focuses on inhalation and diluted topical applications. Unless they’ve also specifically studied the internal use of oils, they’re no more qualified than you are to make these decisions.

One thing I’ve found through my studies in the Vintage Remedies program, is that traditional aromatherapy isn’t necessarily based on current scientific evidence, but rather traditional use. This isn’t to discredit the knowledge an aromatherapist has, but sometimes their guidelines contradict what the current body of scientific literature has shown to be safe.

3. Essential oils can kill you when ingested.

This one is actually true (sort of). There have been cases when people died from ingesting essential oils. One example is Eucalyptus essential oil. There have been seizures, comas and even deaths reported with this oil. Having read that, you’re probably assuming that Eucalyptus essential oil should never be ingested since it’s so harmful.

What you probably don’t know, is that Eucalyptus is widely available in Australia, and people have drank entire bottles to try and commit suicide. In one case, someone drank 50ml, which is over 1.5 ounces and they still survived the suicide attempt. This is way more than the recommended and safe 1-2 drops.

4. Essential oils are safe to ingest if they’re labeled “therapeutic grade.”

Therapeutic grade is simply a marketing term. Phrases like “100% pure” and “all natural” also have no credible meaning unless the company is able to provide evidence to back up their claim. Pick up an essential oil at your local health food store and chances are it will specifically tell you it’s not for ingestion, despite the fact that it’s probably labeled “therapeutic.”

For an essential oil to be pure enough to ingest, you want an oil without fillers, contamination or pesticides and one that has been 3^rd party tested. Anyone can declare their product is “pure,” which is why the 3^rd party testing is vital to confirm safety.

5. Instead of ingesting essential oils, just ingest the whole herb.

Essential oils are contained in the whole herb. Every time you make yourself a cup of herbal tea, or a homemade cough syrup, you’re consuming essential oils. This isn’t the same as dumping three drops in your morning beverage, but they are present in small amounts just the same. I personally use both the whole herb and essential oils. Since the isolated essential oils are much more potent, you’ll naturally need a fraction of the amount compared to the whole herb.

One good example is ginger. Both ginger tea and the essential oil have been used to soothe upset stomachs, however the active component is found in the essential oil. So it’s actually more effective to consume the oil.

How to safely consume essential oils

Diluting essential oils for consumption

Essential oils should be thoroughly mixed with another substance like honey, sugar or oil before consuming. This ensures that you’re getting a diluted amount and that the essential oil isn’t directly hitting your mucus membranes when swallowed.

I’ll put a couple of drops in a pot of my morning superfood latte. No I don’t drink the whole pot myself…well, not usually. You can add a couple of drops to homemade ice cream or popsicles. I’ll even make lavender lemonade with my essential oils. The key here is that it’s a small amount and it’s fully distributed throughout the food.

Wellness support

This is where it gets a little more controversial. There are recommendations out there to put 10 drops of potent oils like oregano and cinnamon in a capsule. I have to agree with the traditional users on this one though. High amounts of essential oil like this are generally unnecessary and can cause damage.

Common medications like Tylenol are actually much riskier than essential oil ingestion. “acetaminophen overdose results in over 56,000 injuries, 2,500 hospitalizations, and an estimated 450 deaths per year.” (source) It’s very easy to overdose with OTC and prescription medications, but you have a much wider safety net with plant based solutions.

How to safely ingest oils

That being said, I do ingest essential oils in small amounts on occasion to keep my body healthy. It’s important to use common sense when diluting. 1-2 drops is generally the recommended amount. I like to put 1-2 drops in a capsule and fill to the top with olive oil. I’ll also put diluted essential oils under my tongue, since this gets it right into the bloodstream.

For children, essential oils generally make up .5-1% of the total product. This will not only be effective, but it’s a tiny fraction of an amount that can cause an adverse event. In this double blind, placebo controlled, randomized study, several hundred children as young as 1 were safely given essential oils, including citrus oils diluted in honey to support throat health. This resulted in zero breathing issues or complications. With that being said though, I highly recommend getting some aromatology training before giving any essential oils internally to children.

How I DON’T ingest oils

I’ve already mentioned that I avoid large amounts. I also don’t put oils in my water. Even though thousands of people have done so without apparent incident, they can cause mucus membrane irritation. The only cases I know of are anecdotal however, and involve repeated, undiluted use of oils, typically “hot” oils, like cinnamon.

You also never want to ingest low quality oils. If they’ve been sprayed with pesticides, bought off of the open market in who knows what kind of condition, or other negative factors, then they shouldn’t be going in your mouth. It took me a long time to decide which oils I wanted to use and felt safe using with my family. You can connect with me HERE and I’ll share with you which brand I love, has the highest quality and the best prices.

Who do you trust for safe essential oil information?

There’s so much bad information out there when it comes to using essential oils. How do you sift through it all to make sure you’re helping yourself and your family the best you can? I took an aromatology course from Vintage Remedies that covers the basics of internal essential oil use, but its since been discontinued.

The New York Institute of Aromatherapy is certified by the National Association of Holistic Aromatherapists (NAHA) and offers a course in the French  (or internal) use of essential oils. Not many quality aromatherapy schools are teaching this information, and most just say to never ingest essential oils. I’ve taken an introductory course from this school, but I’ve had my eye on their internal usage course!

You can learn more about the New York Institute of Aromatherapy’s French Aromatherapy (internal use) here.

Who do you turn to for essential oil information? – Comment below!

Resources:

Vintage Remedies Aromatic Medicine

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Getting into herbalism can seem a little overwhelming at first. Which herbs do you stock up on, which remedies should you make and how do you do it all safely and effectively? Using herbs doesn’t have to be confusing or expensive with these herbal medicine cabinet essentials.

I buy most of my herbs from the Bulk Herb Store. They have amazing quality, super fast shipping and very low prices for what you get. You can check out all the items here. If they don’t have the item I want in stock, then my next stop is Mountain Rose Herbs. This store has everything, including beeswax candles, herbal shampoo, tinctures and everything in between.

My favorite herbal books

I started off learning from books. The internet has a vast array of information, but sifting through it all can be time consuming. And then there’s the issue of finding quality, accurate information online.

If I had the space, I’d happily have an entire room full of natural health books. I’ve had to be very particular about what takes up space on my shelf though, and these books have made the cut. My collection contains over a dozen herbal reference books, but these are the ones I reference most often. For those with more shelf space, you can check out herbalist Rosalee de Foret’s extensive herbalism book recommendations here.

Medicinal Herbs, A Beginner’s Guide by Rosemary Gladstar. – You can read my full review of the book here, but in a nutshell, this is a great introduction to all the basics of making your own medicine. – Get it here

Modern Essentials – This is my go to reference book for es sential  oils right now. It has lots of information on how to use oils for specific issues, with study references to back it up. – get it here

Practical Herbalism by Phillip Fritchey – This book is like a short materia medica and also gives a good overview of how to make products like tinctures, salves and decoctions. My favorite part about this book though, is that it gives specific dosing instructions and preparation methods for the herbs used. – get it here

The ABC Herbal by Steven Horne – This book is short and sweet, but my go to when it comes to helping my little guy. get it here

Rosemary Gladstar’s Herbal Recipes for Vibrant Health – This book contains 175 time tested recipes from one of my favorite herbalists. There are solutions for women’s issues, babies and children, men’s issues, skincare and general health and wellness. – get it here.

What herbs should I start out with?

My very first experience with using herbal medicine was with herbs that came from my own garden. I still have the original peppermint and lemon balm from the patch at my parent’s home. Since then, I’ve stocked up on different herbs that are either hard to grow in my area, or I just don’t have room in my garden for.

Herbs for specific health issues

What herbs you want to have on hand will depend on what health issues you want to address. Make a list of your family’s health goals, like general immunity, first aid and increased energy. You can then get herbs to specifically address these issues. If you’re struggling with asthma or insomnia, then look into what herbs to use for those.

Herbal medicine essentials

I may have gone a little overboard in my herb stash, since I have about 4 large boxes worth of herbs sitting on my shelf. I’ll try to tone down the list and keep it at the basics though.

Beeswax – This isn’t an herb, but vital to thickening your own salves, balms and other concoctions. – get it here

Bentonite Clay – Ok, also not an herb, but useful for so many things. This can detox the body both internally and externally. It’s also the main ingredient in my remineralizing toothpaste. – get it here

Elderberry – I’m making a big batch of elderberry syrup to keep sickness at bay this winter. This immune boosting syrup can be taken everyday, and because it’s sweet and fruity, it’s a favorite of little ones. get it here

Echinacea – This herb is my first line of defense when I feel a cold coming on. It should be taken in small, frequent amounts at the first sign of sickness. It shouldn’t be taken long term for prevention or after sickness has set in. get it here

Rose Hips – Super high in vitamin C, these have a delicious fruity taste. I like adding a nutritional boost to drinks and homemade popsicles with a rose hip infusion. Because vitamin C isn’t stored in the body, it’s one we need to supplement with every day. get it here

Lavender – Lavender helps to relieve stress and anxiety, but it’s also super healing for skin. I use lavender in my Healing Salve to help with cuts, scrapes, irritated skin and the like. You can even make a lavender heat bag for aches and pains. get it here

Chamomile – Chamomile is nicknamed the children’s herb because of it’s powerful yet gentle nature. Similar to lavender, it’s also a calming and soothing herb. I use it in my Sweet Sleep tea to wind down at night. It’s helpful for colicky babies, nervousness, anxiety and stress. get it here

Activated Charcoal – Yet another staple that’s not an herb, but very worth mentioning. I use it to whiten my teeth in my Tea Lover’s remineralizing toothpaste. It can also be used in cases of food poisoning, upset stomach and in a drawing salve for poisonous bites. get it here

Calendula – The king of herbs for soothing skin, this is also in my Healing Salve. It’s particularly useful for psoriasis and eczema, but it’s great for all skin irritation including sunburns. get it here

Licorice root – This was actually the first herb I ever remember using. It’s warming, pleasant taste is good for sore throats. It’s very safe for children and stimulates and supports the adrenal glands. Avoid large amounts if you have a heart condition. get it here

Marshmallow root – This mucilage herb works by coating and soothing irritated membranes. It’s good for scratchy throats, or an irritated digestive tract or intestines. get it here

Olive leaf – This herb boasts powerful anti-viral, anti-oxidant and anti-bacterial properties. I’ll blend this with rosehips and make a tea to quickly knock out an infection. It works especially well for a sore throat. get it here

Cayenne and Ginger – These warming herbs are useful for arthritis, inflammation, and general increased circulation to speed healing. I’ll use them in a salve, in the bathtub for muscle aches, or for flu. Cayenne can even stop internal or external bleeding and stop a heart attack when one starts. get ginger here and cayenne here

Brain booster tea – Designed to increase circulation, memory and focus, this one is a must have in my daily routine. get it here

Double E-Immune booster tea – This tasty blend contains nutritive herbs like nettle, combined with potent immunity herbs like Echinacea. I’ll guzzle this throughout the day when I’m starting to feel a little down. get it here

Erin’s super green drink mix – I’ll add an easy, nutritional boost to morning smoothies, popsicles and other items by adding some green powder in. It’s way easier than mixing your own since it contains a blend of 29 different herbs to provide a wide array of vitamins and minerals. get it here.

 Tools for creating your concoctions

• I like these bottles for storing my tinctures and oil blends in
• These tins are fabulous quality and great for storing salves, spice blends and other items.
• This handy machine saves so much time when it comes to creating custom capsules.

What are your favorite, must have herbs? Comment below!

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