What seems like the first signs of a cold coming on; coughing, sneezing, a runny nose or watery eyes, could actually be symptoms of an allergy. founder, Dr. Bo Hendgen (DO NDAM) says that allergies are commonly triggered by moulds or dust mites and protein particles from pets. Even your seasonal increase in red wine could be the culprit!
Here, Bo highlights the difference between the two and how our allergies can be treated with the right pure essential oils.
How do you tell the difference between a cold and an allergy?
Generally speaking, a cold or similar virus will be accompanied by other symptoms including fever, sore throat and body aches. Colds are also infectious.
It is fairly easy to identify the progression in a cold or flu – from gradual onset, to peak, to ending. In a healthy person, a cold normally winds up within a ten day period, or sooner.
An allergy, on the other hand, comes on fast and can last for months if you are not able to build up a tolerance to the offending particles.
Allergies might come and go with no apparent pattern, until you can identify where it is that you are being most affected and what it is that's triggering the symptoms.
Sinusitis is generally caused by viral infection but it can also occur in connection with allergy inflammation. Sometimes the fluids produced by an allergic reaction can build up in the sinus cavities and create a sinus infection too.
Why are pure essential oils recommended for dealing with allergies?
The reason why colds and allergies have comparable symptoms is because airborne irritants produce similar immune responses in the respiratory system. The difference with an allergic reaction is that our body is not reacting to a viral pathogen but it is over-reacting to something that is basically harmless.
When your body gets stuck on ‘intruder alert', it constantly sends antibodies to attack. It's this process that triggers the symptoms of liquid flush and inflammation etc.
There are a number of conventional treatments to allergies that have varying degrees of success for people who suffer from allergies. Steroid nasal sprays are very often recommended for their powerful anti-inflammatory effect.
Meanwhile, without the harmful side-effects, pure essential oils have a spectrum of active constituents, including known anti-inflammatory properties, in their natural vapors. These are small, pure plant molecules that are easily absorbed and accepted by the body's systems.
When pure essential oils are inhaled/diffused their beneficial properties enter the nasal passages and respiratory system directly. When blended into a chest rub, they will be absorbed through the skin into the bloodstream.
We use oils that include antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, decongestant and anti-bacterial properties, which can help to reduce symptoms and support greater tolerance to allergens. These are also cleansing and vitalising compounds that support strong, functional body systems in general.
Bo’s recommended products to try for allergy suffers:
Absolute Essential - This refreshing blend of potent therapeutic oils is specially formulated to help clear congestion, release painful pressure and great for allergy relief. With a penetrating molecular aroma carrying antiseptic, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and decongestant properties, this is an effective all natural response to the often intense discomfort caused by blocked nasal tubes.
Absolute Essentials – It refreshes and cleanses the eye area, helping with tired, puffy or dry itchy skin. Eye Soothe aids the relief of eye infections and itchiness caused by allergies, while restoring comfort to the eye area. It can be sprayed into eye or applied to cotton wool and rested on eyes for 10 minutes.
