Millions of people are plagued by allergies and over the counter medications may only provide minor relief. Sneezing, coughing, itchy, watery eyes, congestion and itching all are symptoms caused by allergens like mold, pollen, ragweed, grass and more. While there are prescription medications that can provide relief, there are also natural remedies that can help too. Sometimes, these natural allergies remedies can be more beneficial than prescription drugs.
Nasal Saline Rinse
Salt water has been a natural remedy for years for soothing sore throats in addition to keeping the nasal passageways moist. Flushing the nasal passageways with a saline rinse using a neti pot can also rinse away the allergens that get trapped within the nasal cavity. The salt water breaks up sinus congestion too and can greatly reduce your dependency on antihistamine medications.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle is a natural type of antihistamine that you should try before using a chemical option. Stinging nettle works to block your body’s ability to produce histamine which triggers allergic reactions. The leaves of the nettle are freeze-dried so you can use them in tea or you can even buy them in capsules. You can even pick the stinging nettle yourself. However, it is important that you wear gloves when picking it as it can irritate skin when the leaves are fresh.
Quercetin
Derived from different plants, a bioflavonoid called quercetin can prevent your body cells from releasing histamine, the chemical that triggers allergic reactions. Quercetin also is an antioxidant that combats free radicals in the body which could lead to cancer. There are many types of foods that contain this bioflavonoid in addition to supplements. Wine, tea, citrus fruit, apples, onions and broccoli all contain quercetin but in order to get the most benefit, you should take supplements. The best time to take quercetin supplements is before allergy season so it can build up in your body and be of the best benefit.
Allergy Reducing Foods
A diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids can help reduce your susceptibility to allergens that can trigger reactions by reducing inflammation. Flaxseed oil, salmon, walnuts, and meats and eggs from grass-eating animals all contain healthy amounts of omega-3. Spicy and piquant foods can open your passageways and thin mucus. Chili peppers, horseradish and spicy mustard all work as short-term decongestants.
Chicken soup, fresh garlic, onions and hot tea all work to reduce allergic reactions as well. Chicken soup has some compounds which work to block the inflammatory response of the body which causes congestion and swelling of the nasal and bronchial passageways. Garlic has natural components that work to fight of bacteria and other infections.
Natural, raw honey has can build your resistance to many allergens over time, but you must start before allergy season begins. Bees get pollen from a variety of plants, some of them which produce known allergens. The honey has antimicrobial properties which help you fight off allergies and help you build a tolerance to the very plants you are allergic to.
Fighting allergies through natural means has worked for thousands of years for other people so it should be able to work for you. You do have to plan ahead with some remedies but being able to handle allergies without chemical means is a much healthier proposition. Plus, natural remedies typically do not cause any side effects.
Nasal Saline Rinse
Salt water has been a natural remedy for years for soothing sore throats in addition to keeping the nasal passageways moist. Flushing the nasal passageways with a saline rinse using a neti pot can also rinse away the allergens that get trapped within the nasal cavity. The salt water breaks up sinus congestion too and can greatly reduce your dependency on antihistamine medications.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle is a natural type of antihistamine that you should try before using a chemical option. Stinging nettle works to block your body’s ability to produce histamine which triggers allergic reactions. The leaves of the nettle are freeze-dried so you can use them in tea or you can even buy them in capsules. You can even pick the stinging nettle yourself. However, it is important that you wear gloves when picking it as it can irritate skin when the leaves are fresh.
Quercetin
Derived from different plants, a bioflavonoid called quercetin can prevent your body cells from releasing histamine, the chemical that triggers allergic reactions. Quercetin also is an antioxidant that combats free radicals in the body which could lead to cancer. There are many types of foods that contain this bioflavonoid in addition to supplements. Wine, tea, citrus fruit, apples, onions and broccoli all contain quercetin but in order to get the most benefit, you should take supplements. The best time to take quercetin supplements is before allergy season so it can build up in your body and be of the best benefit.
Allergy Reducing Foods
A diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids can help reduce your susceptibility to allergens that can trigger reactions by reducing inflammation. Flaxseed oil, salmon, walnuts, and meats and eggs from grass-eating animals all contain healthy amounts of omega-3. Spicy and piquant foods can open your passageways and thin mucus. Chili peppers, horseradish and spicy mustard all work as short-term decongestants.
Chicken soup, fresh garlic, onions and hot tea all work to reduce allergic reactions as well. Chicken soup has some compounds which work to block the inflammatory response of the body which causes congestion and swelling of the nasal and bronchial passageways. Garlic has natural components that work to fight of bacteria and other infections.
Natural, raw honey has can build your resistance to many allergens over time, but you must start before allergy season begins. Bees get pollen from a variety of plants, some of them which produce known allergens. The honey has antimicrobial properties which help you fight off allergies and help you build a tolerance to the very plants you are allergic to.
Fighting allergies through natural means has worked for thousands of years for other people so it should be able to work for you. You do have to plan ahead with some remedies but being able to handle allergies without chemical means is a much healthier proposition. Plus, natural remedies typically do not cause any side effects.