It is the time of the year again - SPRING. With the blossoming
flowers and great weather, it is a lovely season for some but a dreaded time
for those with seasonal allergies. It is the A-C-H-O-O season!
While I do not suffer from seasonal allergies myself, I am
allergic to dust mites and can certainly understand the misery of stuffy nose,
non-stop sneezing and itchy eyes. Here are 10 natural remedies which I know
about that you may find useful in alleviating some of those nasty allergy
symptoms:
Neti Pot
Neti Pot Helps to rinse out the allergens and excess mucus from
your sinus passages. Many allergy patients find this little pot greatly
improved their breathing. Be sure to use sterile water or saline solution when
using the Neti Pot .
Acupuncture
Acupuncture helps in relieving the allergic rhinitis by
strengthening the body’s system, tonifying the Spleen and qi, supporting the
exterior so that it’s not so vulnerable to attack by external factors, and
scattering wind-cold. The treatment should help in easing your nasal
congestion. Read here to understand more about how acupuncture works with allergic rhinitis.
Quercetin
Quercetin is a bioflavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables such as onions and apples. It is an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown that Quercetin stabilize mast cells which secrete histamine, hence it is a potent natural antihistamine and can help to reduce your allergy symptoms. I have personally found it to be very useful in combating my allergy problem. Read here about my experience with Quercetin.
Green Tea
Green tea contains high level of antioxidant and is anti-inflammatory. It boosts your immune system and some studies have shown that it helps to fight allergies.
Elderberry
Elderberry has long been used as a natural remedy for various ailments. It is used to boost the immune system and fight off viruses and is a popular remedy for colds and flu. Elderberry is rich in antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. Being an expectorant, it helps relieve respiratory problems.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Quercetin
Quercetin is a bioflavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables such as onions and apples. It is an antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. Studies have shown that Quercetin stabilize mast cells which secrete histamine, hence it is a potent natural antihistamine and can help to reduce your allergy symptoms. I have personally found it to be very useful in combating my allergy problem. Read here about my experience with Quercetin.
Green Tea
Green tea contains high level of antioxidant and is anti-inflammatory. It boosts your immune system and some studies have shown that it helps to fight allergies.
Elderberry
Elderberry has long been used as a natural remedy for various ailments. It is used to boost the immune system and fight off viruses and is a popular remedy for colds and flu. Elderberry is rich in antioxidant and has anti-inflammatory properties. Being an expectorant, it helps relieve respiratory problems.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Did you know that Hippocrates, the
father of western medicine used apple cider vinegar to treat a variety of
ailments ranging from allergies, acne, high cholesterol, gout, indigestion to
sore throat? It has an alkaline effect and helps to balance the PH level in our
body. Many allergy sufferers have found that drinking diluted apple cider
vinegar with local raw honey (see below) on a regular basis helps to improve their
allergies tremendously. Be sure to use only raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar
as it contains the Mother, which is
made up of dark cloudy strands of enzymes that are beneficial to fight off
infection. Read here to find out how to prepare this drink.
Local Raw Honey
Many people swear by taking a teaspoon of local raw honey a few times a day to fight their hay fever. Raw honey contains bee pollen. By eating the local raw honey, your body slowly adapts to the local pollen and stop making antihistamine to fight it off. Honey also has anti-inflammatory effects, which is beneficial to the body inflamed with allergies.
Probiotics
Bacteria living in the gut and the digestive tract are linked to our immune health. It is said that the gut houses 70% of your immune system. Thus it is important to balance the good bacteria (probiotics) with the bad to maintain a healthy gut. A daily dose of probiotics may help to manage your allergic response to pollens and other allergens.
Essential Oil
Essential oils have been used medicinally in history. Here are some essential oils which are good for allergies:
Lavender: calms, antiviral and has natural antihistamine properties
Eucalyptus: relieves respiratory symptoms and headaches, ease breathing and scratchy throats, antiviral
Lemon: cleansing, protect immunity, antiviral and relieve excess mucous
Peppermint: antiviral, ease breathing, fights infection, helps congestion, relieves headaches and opens airways
Turmeric
Local Raw Honey
Many people swear by taking a teaspoon of local raw honey a few times a day to fight their hay fever. Raw honey contains bee pollen. By eating the local raw honey, your body slowly adapts to the local pollen and stop making antihistamine to fight it off. Honey also has anti-inflammatory effects, which is beneficial to the body inflamed with allergies.
Probiotics
Bacteria living in the gut and the digestive tract are linked to our immune health. It is said that the gut houses 70% of your immune system. Thus it is important to balance the good bacteria (probiotics) with the bad to maintain a healthy gut. A daily dose of probiotics may help to manage your allergic response to pollens and other allergens.
Essential Oil
Essential oils have been used medicinally in history. Here are some essential oils which are good for allergies:
Lavender: calms, antiviral and has natural antihistamine properties
Eucalyptus: relieves respiratory symptoms and headaches, ease breathing and scratchy throats, antiviral
Lemon: cleansing, protect immunity, antiviral and relieve excess mucous
Peppermint: antiviral, ease breathing, fights infection, helps congestion, relieves headaches and opens airways
Turmeric
In ayurvedic medicine,
turmeric has been used for hundreds of years to treat allergies. Clinical research and studies have shown that
curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has the power to block mast cells
from releasing histamine. It is also anti-inflammatory and helps to reduce swelling in the sinus
tissues.
