Seasonal allergies: natural remedies with essential oils
AROMATHERAPY · SEASONAL ALLERGIES
Spring 2026
Spring means brighter days, open windows, and a desire to be outdoors. But for many people, it also coincides with repeated sneezing, a runny or blocked nose, red eyes, itching, and a general feeling of increased sensitivity. When pollen increases, daily life also changes: sleep is poorer, one feels heavier, and even being indoors can become less comfortable.
In these cases, a well-thought-out natural routine, made up of small, consistent gestures, can be helpful: taking care of the environment, the area around the nose, more sensitive skin, and choosing products that work well together. In this article, you will find a practical approach with essential oils, hydrosols, and vegetable oils, designed to gently accompany the pollen season.
Why allergies increase in spring
With the arrival of spring, there is a significant increase in pollen in the air. Grasses, olive trees, parietaria, and other widespread species release particles that, in predisposed individuals, can heighten the sensitivity of the respiratory tract and mucous membranes.
It is precisely during this period that the most typical symptoms of hay fever tend to appear or intensify: congested nose, frequent sneezing, itching, watery eyes, irritation around the nose, and a general perception of increased reactivity. Pollution, temperature fluctuations, and poorly ventilated environments can also contribute to making these weeks even more challenging.
It's not a problem for a few: seasonal allergies affect millions of people every year.
How many people suffer from seasonal allergies
Seasonal allergies are not a small minority's concern; they are a widespread phenomenon that affects millions of people every spring, making it even more important to talk about environmental prevention, respiratory comfort, and well-structured daily routines.
Prevalence in the population
- In Italy, seasonal allergic rhinitis is estimated to affect between 10% and 30% of the population, with an overall incidence approaching 28% according to recent data [1].
- In Europe, values range approximately between 10% and 40%, depending on the region and time of year [2].
Specific numbers in Italy
- Every year in Italy, approximately 9 million people develop respiratory allergies to pollen, with about 4 million requiring specific treatments [2].
- ISTAT data cited by allergology associations show an increase in new cases: from approximately 11% in the three-year period 2018–2020 to 16% in 2024 [1].
Seasons and most frequent allergens
- The peak of seasonal allergies coincides with spring and early summer (April–June), when pollen from grasses, olive trees (oleaceae), parietaria, and other plants are more widespread [3].
- Grasses alone are considered the cause of about half of pollinosis, while oleaceae and parietaria are particularly important in the South and Mediterranean [3].
These numbers explain why more and more people are seeking solutions to improve air quality in the environments they inhabit daily.
A natural approach: working on multiple levels
When looking for natural remedies for seasonal allergies, the point is not to find a single product that does everything on its own. Much more often, a simple but consistent routine works better, supporting well-being on multiple fronts simultaneously.
The key concept
Environment: making the air at home more pleasant and fresh. Nose area and skin: protecting and soothing areas most stressed by sneezing and tissues. Peak times: having a targeted, practical, and ready-to-use gesture available when discomfort increases.
This approach does not replace medical advice but can complement daily life with selected products and simple gestures to be repeated consistently.
Personal experience
I also suffer from seasonal allergies and know well what it means to live with this kind of discomfort every year. Over time, I have built a simple routine, made up of small daily gestures. In particular, tarragon — used correctly and well diluted — and chamomile hydrosol have become two fundamental allies for me during times of greater sensitivity.
The most interesting essential oils during this period
In a routine designed for pollen season, some essential oils are particularly interesting because they integrate well with each other and have different but complementary functions.
This is the most characteristic oil in this routine. In aromatherapy, it is often referenced when discussing seasonality and reactivity to pollen. In the Hay Fever Kit, it is intended for targeted use during peak moments, always well diluted in a vegetable oil and applied externally around the nose.
Highly valued for its soothing profile, it is useful when you want to gently support the most sensitive areas and more reactive skin. It is a precious oil, to be used correctly and always well diluted.
Soft, balancing, and versatile, it is ideal for evening routines or when you want to create a more relaxing atmosphere at home. It pairs well with both ambient diffusion and products dedicated to delicate skin.
Fresh and bright, it is perfect for the home environment. It helps make the air more pleasant and gives a sense of cleanliness and lightness, especially on days when the air feels heavier.
Rather than using many oils, it is often better to choose a few well-calibrated allies that have a precise purpose in the routine and are easy to use consistently.
Chamomile and lavender hydrosols
Hydrosols are a valuable resource when looking for something delicate, practical, and suitable for frequent use. In this article, the two protagonists are chamomile hydrosol and lavender hydrosol, which have similar characteristics for delicacy but slightly different functions.
Chamomile Hydrosol
This is the most suitable when the focus is on absolute gentleness. It is perfect for accompanying tired eyes, reddened skin, and sensitive nose area. It can be used on the face as a soothing gesture during the day or on a cotton pad for delicate compresses on closed eyelids. On peak days, it is one of the simplest products to keep always at hand.
Lavender Hydrosol
It has a more balancing, refreshing, and calming function on the skin. It is very useful when the face appears stressed, hot, or sensitized, and lends itself well to being sprayed on the face several times a day. Compared to chamomile, it has a slightly more aromatic profile, but it remains very delicate and suitable for a daily routine.
How to use them
Chamomile hydrosol is ideal when you feel increased sensitivity on your eyes and around your nose. Lavender hydrosol is perfect when you want to refresh and rebalance your facial skin during the day. They can be used at different times, or alternated as needed.
Vegetable oils for skin and nose area
During allergy season, ambient diffusion isn't the only important thing. There's also the aspect related to more fragile skin: the area around the nose, redness, the feeling of dryness or discomfort that intensifies after repeated sneezing and continuous tissue use.
Calendula Oil
This is the most suitable when the skin appears reddened, sensitized, and in need of comfort. Traditionally appreciated for its soothing action, it is ideal in the evening or at times when you want to bring relief to stressed areas of the face. It is a soft and reassuring base, perfect for accompanying delicate skin.
Sweet Almond Oil
It is an excellent carrier oil for diluting essential oils, because it is simple, well-tolerated and easy to use. In this routine it has a precise role: it is the base in which to dilute the tarragon from the kit for external application around the nose during times of greatest discomfort. It helps to make the gesture more delicate and more suitable for the skin.
Their role in the routine
Calendula primarily aids skin recovery and comfort. Almond oil, on the other hand, is the ideal support for the correct dilution of tarragon in targeted, external local applications.
A ready-made routine: the Hay Fever Kit
For those who suffer from the same discomforts every year, the difficulty is not just choosing the right product, but understanding how to combine it in a simple and coherent way. This is precisely why the Euodia Hay Fever Kit was created: a selection designed to support the environment, skin, and peak moments with an already well-thought-out routine.
The heart of the kit is tarragon, designed for external and targeted use: diluted in almond oil and applied around the nose during times when allergies are most felt. Alongside this, hydrosols and vegetable oils help build a complete, practical, and easy-to-maintain routine over time.
Daily routine during peak times
When allergies are most intense, having a simple sequence to follow helps a lot. Here's a practical routine, built around the products you actually have and their specific role.
Morning
Start with a fresh and light ambient diffusion, for example with lemon and true lavender, to make the air at home more pleasant. After cleansing, mist your face with chamomile hydrosol if you feel more sensitivity, or lavender hydrosol if you want a more balancing and refreshing effect.
During the day
Keep the hydrosol you feel most suitable for your day close at hand: chamomile for eyes and more delicate areas, lavender to refresh and calm the face. During peak times, use the tarragon from the kit, well diluted with sweet almond oil, and apply it externally around the nose, gently and locally.
Evening
When skin is redder or stressed, apply calendula oil to the sensitive nose and face area to bring a feeling of greater comfort. If you want to end the day with a more relaxing gesture, choose a soft evening diffusion with true lavender.
This is the difference between an informative article and a routine that truly works: knowing what to use, when to use it, and for what purpose. When each product has a precise role, it becomes much easier to be consistent.
Frequently asked questions about essential oils for allergies
Do essential oils really help with allergies?
Essential oils are not a medicine, but they can help improve air quality and create a more breathable environment. Some oils, like lemon and lavender, are appreciated for making the atmosphere fresher and more pleasant.
Which essential oils should I choose for allergy season?
In a seasonal routine, oils such as lemon, true lavender, blue chamomile, and tarragon can be interesting, each with a different role. The choice depends on the type of use: environment, sensitive skin, or localized application (always well diluted).
Is it better to use a diffuser or apply them to the skin?
It depends on the objective. Ambient diffusion works on indoor air comfort, while skin application requires more attention, correct dilution, and a targeted choice of the most suitable oil or hydrosol.
How long should essential oils be diffused?
It's better to diffuse in cycles, for example 20–30 minutes, rather than continuously. This way, the experience remains more pleasant and olfactory habituation is avoided.
Can I use essential oils if I suffer from severe respiratory allergies?
In cases of severe allergies, asthma, or particular respiratory sensitivity, it is always advisable to proceed with caution and seek professional advice. Each person can react differently.
Do diffusers really help improve air quality at home?
Yes, because they allow aromatic molecules to be distributed throughout the environment, contributing to making the air fresher and more pleasant to breathe, improving the overall perception of the space.
What is the simplest way to use essential oils at home?
The most practical way is to use a diffuser, which allows essential oils to be distributed evenly and simply throughout the environment, making the experience immediate and natural.
Sources
- Disseminated data on the prevalence and trends of seasonal allergies in Italy, with reference to ISTAT elaborations and recent public health sources.
- Bambino Gesù Pediatric Hospital – informative content on respiratory pollen allergies and their impact on the Italian population.
- Istituto Superiore di Sanità – information on pollen, seasonality, and main respiratory allergens in Italy.
Note: the data reported are for informational purposes and may vary based on epidemiological updates and different reference sources.
Conclusion
Seasonal allergies can make spring more challenging, but a well-constructed natural routine can help you experience this period with more comfort and continuity. Working on your environment, choosing gentle hydrosols, protecting your skin, and having a targeted approach during peak times truly changes the quality of daily life.
Chamomile hydrosol, lavender hydrosol, calendula oil, almond oil, and tarragon are not randomly combined products: they make sense precisely because each performs a specific function. And that's what makes the routine simpler, more practical, and easier to follow on the days when it truly matters.
Discover the Euodia Hay Fever Kit
A routine already designed to accompany pollen season with tarragon, hydrosols, and vegetable oils selected to work together in a simple and targeted way.
Discover the Kit →Who wrote this article. Lorenza Poletto is the founder of Euodia and selects content and products dedicated to natural wellness and aromatherapy. This article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not replace the advice of a doctor or other healthcare professionals.
The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor or other healthcare professionals. The essential oils, hydrosols, and vegetable oils mentioned are presented within the framework of a natural wellness approach and do not claim therapeutic or curative properties. Essential oils should always be used consciously and, when necessary, appropriately diluted. In case of persistent or significant symptoms, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or a specialist.