If you’re a plant, or a honeybee, pollen is pretty sexy stuff. After all, pollen is what spreads the DNA of plants far and wide, ensuring fertilization and genetic diversity within the species. Pollinators like bees, moths, butterflies, bats and
hummingbirds help the process, and the winds do the rest. In fact, bees collect masses of pollen, add flower-nectar or honey back at the hive, and make it into high-energy food for bee larvae. But for humans, billions of grains of airborne
pollen means sneezing, itchy skin and watery eyes.
Spring and summer naturally mean more of what we loosely call hay-fever. Pollen grains are infinitely diverse in their shapes and structures, according to plant species, so if you’re suffering from pollen-related allergies, you may in fact be reacting to one specific pollen.When pollen kicks up your histamine reaction, you may opt for OTC antihistamines (or, if it’s really bad, something prescribed by your doctor). But here’s something that works for everyone: a shower. Even if you’re in the habit of showering in the morning, pollen reactivity will be reduced if you shower at night. Try our BREATHE blend, which integrates decongestant Peppermint and Eucalyptus essential oils.
Why shower at night when you’ve got allergies? Because all day long, your clothes, skin and hair are a pollen-magnet! A shower will rinse away a lot of those offending grains. Stash your pollen-coated clothes in the hamper, and change your bed-linens if your bed is near an open window.
