Fight Chlorine Allergy with Blue Tansy EO Inhalation
Today, October 24th, is a World Swim Day. If you want to celebrate that with a swim, probably your best option is to go to a pool. For most people, it’s too cold to swim in a lake or river in late autumn, right?
I’m a swim mom and I love swimming myself. Therefore I’m well aware of the challenges swimming in a chlorinated pool poses and learned how to deal with them. Chlorine is added to the pool water to kill germs. Generally, it is safe for most people when the appropriate amount of it is added and its levels carefully monitored regularly. But sometimes chlorine can cause unwanted reactions in your body.
Today I’ll address the one that almost made my close one quit swimming, even though he enjoyed it so much. It was an extremely runny and stuffy nose right after the pool session. It resulted in a bad night’s sleep and low energy levels the next day. Reaching for a napkin constantly while talking to people was also very uncomfortable. The symptoms were present for 24-48 hours and were really annoying.
I’ve also had these allergy symptoms from time to time. And fortunately, I’ve already found the remedy – blue tansy (Tanacetum annuum) essential oil.
Here I’m presenting the excerpts from my blue tansy essential oil monograph project and case study for my Aromatic Medicine certificate course at The School for Aromatic Studies.
Disclamer
Information provided in this blog post is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this blog. Reliance on any information provided in this blog is solely at your own risk.
Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum) Essential Oil
Family: Asteraceae
Country of origin: Morocco
Part of plant used: flowering tops
Botanical Description
Blue tansy is an annual yellow-flowered Mediterranean plant that grows in northern Morocco and yields a blue essential oil. (4) Not to be confused with Tanacetum vulgare the essential oil of which is not blue and is potentially toxic.
Chemistry
The oil is deep blue due to chamazulene (17-38%).
Other major constituents are myrcene (1-14%), sabinene (4-8.6%), β-eudesmol (3-7%), and camphor (4-18%). (4)
Therapeutic actions: anti-inflammatory, antiallergic, analgesic, antibacterial, antifungal, anxiolytic, antioxidant, antispasmodic, anti-catarrhal, sedative (1-4)
Aroma description: sweet, green, fruity.
Cautions and Contraindications: NONE.
Mild remedy with no cumulative toxicity, non-irritant to the skin, non-sensitizing (1, 3).
Case Study of Chlorine Allergy in Respiratory Tract
Severely runny and stuffy nose after pool swimming – chlorine allergy suspected.
Plan of action
Route: inhalation
Method of application/s: personal inhaler
Dilution rate: 100%
Product details: 30 drops in a personal inhaler
| Synergy Part | EO | Latin name | Purpose | BF | Drops | ||
| Core | blue tansy | Tanacetum annum | Anti -allergenic, especially good for chlorine allergy | – | 25 | ||
| Enhancer | – | – | – | – | – | ||
| Harmonizer | bergamot | Citrus bergamia | Antidepressant, anxiolytic, nervine. Harmonizing the aroma.
|
– | 5 | ||
| TOTAL # of DROPS | 30 | ||||||
NOTE. I’ve had very good results in other cases of chlorine allergy using blue tansy as the only remedy. This time I decided to add a few drops of bergamot for its uplifting properties. I also wanted to modify the aroma of the blend slightly.
USE: Inhale for 10 – 30 inhalations right after a swimming session in the pool, before bed, 3-6 times per day or as needed.
Outcome
The inhaler worked great, only minor symptoms of chlorine allergy occurred after the first try. He kept using the inhaler every time he went for a swim and the symptoms of chlorine allergy were well managed. He stopped thinking of quitting pool swimming!
A couple of months later he forgot to use the inhaler and the symptoms did not occur. It looks like the synergy solved the root cause or it has some accumulative effect.
Problem solved and that makes me extremely happy. I hope this information can help someone too.
References:
- Holmes (2016). Aromatica. A Clinical Guide to Essential Oil Therapeutics, vol. I., p.149-155. London, UK: Singing Dragon.
- Schnaubelt (2011). The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils. P.158. Toronto, CA, Healing Art Press.
- Schnaubelt (2012). Naujoji aromaterapija. Kvapų namai, Vilnius, LTU.
- Blue tansy monograph by S.Battaglia: https://salvatorebattaglia.com.au/essential-oils/85-blue-tansy
- Description, GS/MS analysis: https://aromata.lt/en/shop/349/blue-tansy-chamomile-essential-oil
- Description, GS/MS analysis: https://www.florihana.com/en/essential-oils/510-312-blue-tansy-organic.html#/792-size-5_g
- Peace Rhind (2020). Essential Oils. A Comprehensive Handbook for Aromatic Therapy, 3rd edition. p.279. London, UK: Singing Dragon.
