With allergy season rearing its ugly head and affecting millions of Americans, you may be wondering what you can do to combat your itchy eyes, headaches and congested sinuses. While most individuals take over-the-counter medicines to treat the annoying symptoms, they contain harmful chemicals. The medications also come with some serious side effects such as dizziness, nervousness, dry mouth and diarrhea.
The good news is that the following 6 natural remedies can provide quick relief from your allergy symptoms.
Neti Pot
People in search of living a healthier lifestyle typically rely on organic products. Natural ingredients are also much better for the wellness of the environment. If you look for alternative remedies besides prescriptive medicines when treating allergy symptoms, you may want to clear your sinus passages with a neti pot.
Using a saline rinse that is pre-made or put together at home, place the liquid into one side of nostrils at a time via the neti pot. The liquid will then drain out of the other nostril. Depending on the severity of your stuffiness and congestion, some experts recommend using the neti pot rinse method daily until your symptoms go away.
Apple Cider Vinegar
This age old solution has been recommended for a series of ailments from the common cold to the relief of heartburn. It’s also shown great success in treating allergy symptoms. Use consistently by mixing together one teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with ½ tablespoon of raw honey and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, freshly squeezed. Be patient, as this solution could take a few weeks before you begin to feel the welcome results.
But as it works, you’ll notice the ingredients in this natural solution will help fight off allergies and strengthen the immune system.
Eucalyptus Oil
Your body’s overactive response to allergy symptoms can result in hives, sneezing, itchiness, wheezing and congestion. If you’re looking for assistance without the use of chemicals, bulk essential oils provide your body with relief naturally. The oils should be vetted for authenticity, purity and quality to ensure you’re getting the proper therapeutic remedy.
Eucalyptus is one such oil that is excellent at providing seasonal allergy relief. You can begin by placing several drops of the oil into your net pot and inhaling with help from a diffuser. You could also combine with coconut oil and rub the oiled mixture behind your ears or onto your chest. Peppermint, lavender, tea tree, frankincense, lemon and clove are other oils that can help treat allergy symptoms.
Local Honey
Although there doesn’t appear to be scientific evidence to back this claim, local raw honey has been a tried and true ancient remedy for those suffering from allergy symptoms. But to ensure that this works, the raw honey must be from a local farm. This allows your body to build a strong tolerance to the pollen that may be littering your local air and wreaking havoc with your sinuses.
Once you’ve found a source close to where you live, consume one teaspoon at the onset of symptoms. You could also begin this process 30 days before the start of allergy season.
Probiotics
More and more studies are finding that neurological disorders, allergies and other illnesses and diseases are related to poor gut health. What your mother ate during her pregnancy and while nursing may also impact the likelihood of a child experiencing allergies. While you can’t do anything about your mother’s gut health during pregnancy now, you can ensure that you’re consuming a tummy-healthy diet.
You can boost your gut health by consuming Kefir, Kombucha tea and other fermented foods such as miso, tempeh, sauerkraut, yogurt and kimchi. A high quality probiotic tablet taken daily may also help.
Make Changes to Your Diet
If you’ve tried every natural symptom and still seem to be suffering, you may want to make changes to your diet. The GAPS diet (Gut and Psychology Syndrome) is an intense program to helping heal the lining of the gut. Depending on your symptoms and severity of your issues, there are various stages to the diet. From grass fed meats and vegetables to wild caught fish and fruits in moderation, this diet is meant to help reverse the effects of certain allergy symptoms.
If you’re an allergy sufferer, you know how uncomfortable and annoying the symptoms can become. But while doctor prescribed medicines may provide relief, the side effects may be worse than the sniffling and sneezing. The above 6 suggestions offer natural relief without the dangers of chemicals.
Article Submitted By Community Writer