It’s spring! Even the northeast is having some warmer weather. And some places are pretty darn warm. The not so good news for some is that spring brings growing, flowering, and pollinating plants and grasses. The chances are high that you, or someone you know, suffers from seasonal allergies. Symptoms may include congestion, headaches, watery or itchy eyes, draining sinuses, scratchy throat, and more. Here are some natural allergy relief remedies you can try before resorting to over the counter or pharmaceutical solutions.
Local Raw Honey and Bee Pollen
If you happen to be allergic to a pollen that honey bees interact with, you may get some allergy relief by taking a tablespoon a day of local raw honey which will contain some pollen. Some people have had luck taking local bee pollen instead of honey. Bee pollen is actually a food and is high in protein, as well as other antioxidants and vitamins. It is considered by some to be one of nature’s perfect superfoods. After going from plant to plant, the bees bring back the pollen to the hive where they create the granules. No bees are harmed in the process of collecting bee pollen from the hives.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar offers an array of powerful health benefits, many of which you may already have heard about. If you aren’t yet using apple cider vinegar, but you suffer from seasonal allergies, you have nothing to loose by adding this healthy liquid to your morning routine. At the first sign of allergies, add a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water in the morning. For added benefits, squeeze some lemon juice into the glass. Or double your chances of success by also adding local raw honey to warm/hot water with the apple cider vinegar and lemon. Even if the apple cider vinegar doesn’t give you some allergy relief, you may reap some other benefits because it is a metabolism booster. It can help you break down fat and lose pounds easily and permanently. It also gives your skin a healthy flush.
Quercitin & Stinging Nettle
Quercitin can be taken as a supplement or you can get it naturally from foods. It can be found in plant foods such as cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli or cauliflower), onions/shallots, green tea and citrus fruits. Quercetin is a bioflavonoid that stabilizes the release of histamines (which are released in response to the allergic reaction) and helps to naturally control allergy symptoms. It has also been found to be effective at reducing allergies because it helps calm down hyperactivity of the airways. If you try eating the foods mentioned above and don’t get allergy relief, consider trying quercitin as a supplement. This is because it can be hard to assimilate and supplements add liposomes or bromelain to improve absorption.
Stinging nettle is a perennial plant that is known to be supportive for several conditions. Perhaps its most popular use is turning the leaves into tea, which is a common natural allergy relief remedy. It’s also thought to benefit bone, urinary, and skin health as well.
Neti Pot
The neti pot is a specially designed vessel which delivers a stream of salt water in one nostril and out the other. This has long been used as a natural remedy for allergies and many respiratory conditions. It is a form of sinus irrigation and originated in the Ayurvedic medical tradition hundreds of years ago. People living in India have been receiving astounding results from using neti pots for centuries. The use of using warm saltwater in the neti pot results in the removal of excess mucus, pollen, and other debris from the nasal cavities.
Supporters of the technique claim it offers significant relief from nasal congestion and irritation. They also claim it can reduce headaches associated with sinus congestion and allows people to reduce their reliance on antibiotics to combat sinus infections. When you use a neti pot, make sure that the water is distilled and as sterile as possible. Tap water is full of chlorine and fluoride and can actually aggravate your sinuses, so it shouldn’t be used.
Maintain A Healthy Gut
Caring for your body with nutrient-dense foods gives your immune system the ability to repair itself, bringing it back into balance and possibly providing some allergy relief. Eliminate any foods you are allergic or sensitive to. Consider eating foods that are known to boost the immune system, aid in detoxification, and help reduce inflammation. This includes things like garlic and green leafy vegetables. Probiotic rich foods like kimchi, kombucha, and sauerkraut. Prebiotic rich foods like raw leeks and jicama along with raw or cooked onions (For more info see: http://sharonledwards.com/why-prebiotics/). And consider replacing dairy with coconut milk and using gluten free flours for baking and cooking. You may not only feel better eating this way, but you may get some allergy relief as well.
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