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By Norah Fleming Opinion Writer 8/31/22 Allergy season is real, from the icy winds drying out everything to the changing of the seasons making pollen, dust and everything icky come out. Together, this team of terror makes breathing a thing of the past.
Though all hope may seem lost, there is a cure, and weirdly enough, it involves your feet. Now you may be wondering, why do my feet have anything to do with my nose being so crammed full of pain and suffering to the point all I can do is blow my nosse? It is quite simple; with the rise of natural medicines, reflexology has found popularity much like essential oils. However, if you know anything about essential oils, you know they have a reputation for being used by…quirky people, but, reflexology is actually very useful. It consists of putting essential oils on certain parts of your feet, which in turn will trigger that reflex and you will get your intended result. Your feet unlike the rest of your body, don’t have any sebaceous glands. Sebaceous glands produce your skin’s oil-like sebum! Sebum is a shield of sorts which keeps things like oils out. Since you don’t have those on the soles of your feet oil is absorbed easily. In addition something your feet are porous. Your feet have more pores than anywhere else on your body, so it is more efficient to put anything you want absorbed on your feet rather than anywhere else. Despite the fact that your feet are these non-oily, porous, pumice stones that you just happen to walk on they also have a massive amount of nerves. This is called the “Grounding Effect,” and according to Renewed Health Oils, “Oils rubbed on the bottoms of your feet can provide a grounding effect…Experts have explained that every nerve in the body is somehow connected to the soles of your feet.” Which oils should you do? To help with your sinuses you apply oils right where your toes meet the rest of your foot, including Breathe, Melissa (Lemon Balm), Eucalyptus, Peppermint, Rosemary, Frankincense, Lavender, Tea Tree, and Chamomile. All of which range anywhere from $3-$10. Next time you feel a sniffle coming raid your weird aunt’s stash, add a few drops to your feet, slip on some socks and feel the relief! Schmall’s Scents Anne Schmall, someone with a severe corn allergy, who also happens to be a farmer and lives in Nebraska, uses a special blend of peppermint, lavender, and lemon alongside her over the counter medicine to make farming and breathing easier. To use the oils she rubs a few drops behind her ears by the back of her neck and on the arch of her foot. Despite the help for allergies, Schmall also points out the endless possibilities; they can help with pain, headaches, your immune system, and believe it or not you can even add some to your water, only the edible ones of course. Though this may just sounds like a bunch of mambo jumbo it is real. It has been around for hundreds of years, According to Utama Spice “Some of the most common scents used among Egyptians in these ancient times were thyme, lavender, peppermint, cedar, rose, and almond oil. So, they were used in both death and in life.” Essential Oils also proved their use during the bubonic plague, according to pennyRae, “...four European thieves made it a habit to rob the deceased of anything of value. These bodies were highly contagious with the plague … However, these nasty villains never contracted the plague. It was reported that they wore hats and masks that smelled of vinegar and garlic and herbs and spices, namely cloves, lemons, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and rosemary.” The theives stayed safe during their ordeals thanks to an essential oil blend. Even with the history behind them, science has also harnessed the abilities of essential oils, and you may not even realize it. Vick’s Vapor Rub, Icy Hot, perfumes, hand sanitizer, cleaning products, and even more. Schmall even had her own experience with doctors providing her with certain essential oils. “When I had surgery I had really negative side effects to the anesthetic, and the doctor’s officer provided me with a piece of cotton with lavender on it.” |
Photo by Norah Fleming
This allergy season, consider essential oils. For just a few bucks, you can find a natural way to cure your sinuses.
Schmall believes strongly in them and John Hauk, first year chemistry teacher gave no reason as to why they wouldn’t work “I think that if you think they work, they are great…and if you are just trying to do at-home stuff instead of going to a doctor that is great too.”Hauk says. Hauk does not thinks you should replace your doctor with that bottle of lavender. Instead Hauk expresses the importance of being informed. “According to the culture in this country there is a pill for everything, but there is also a plant,” If you can fix an issue, save yourself some money. “Do a quick google search, and if it helps a person, maybe go back to it, but if you are truly sick go see a doctor.” Hauk comments. Essential oils are extremely potent, meaning they have a very strong scent. This could be very overwhelming if there are a lot and can lead to a headache. Another possible deterrent is skin, too much can cause inflammation and irritation to your skin and that can lead to scratchy, dry, rashy, and uncomfortable skin. Finally there is always the possibility of allergies; not everyone can handle peppermint oil, and neither can every animal. It is always important to think of your pets if you decide to use essential oils. Oils can prove to be very useful, but you have to make sure you use them correctly and do your research about them. Need to know:
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