It is estimated that more than 50 million Americans suffer from all types of allergies. Of that amount approximately 26 million are considered seasonal allergy sufferers who react to natural outdoor substances like pollen. I am feeling it, are you?
The typical response to the sniffling, sneezing, itching symptoms of allergy reactions is a medicinal one designed to suppress these symptoms. The problem with this approach is that there can be adverse side effects associated with the use of certain allergy drugs. The trade off isn’t worth it for me.
I admit I might have it pretty easy. I get congested a bit every morning, I sneeze a few dozen times, and I have a mild case itchy, watery eyes. Some people have much worse allergies and might be looking out the window at Springs glorious wonder with with a look of disdain, a box of tissues, and a packet of allergy relief pills in hand. Although I do get hives that make me want to scratch my skin off. But I pretty am much against any type of pharma elixir or pill unless it is an emergency.
The natural approach to providing remedies to allergies is to take actions that help strengthen the body’s defenses before the it goes into reaction mode.
Prevention:
* Be conscious of the time of year when widely known irritants like ragweed pollen are at their highest levels (this is usually from mid-August until the first front). Take precautions to avoid unnecessary exposure outdoors during this temporary period.
* Resist using window fans to cool rooms—they can pull pollen indoors.
* When driving, keep the windows closed and if you have an air conditioner use it as needed during very warm conditions.
* Shower and wash your hair after you have been outdoors.
* Run an air purifier in the home. I LOVE mine.
Natural Remedies:
Neti Pots have gained in popularity in recent years among many people but especially among natural moms. They are essentially containers with spouts used to flush sinuses and keep them clear. Very similar to a nasal spray, Neti Pots are filled with a saline solution that you mix yourself (½ teaspoon of salt in a 1 cup of water) and then pour into one nostril and flush out through the other using gravity (a tilt of the head).
During allergy season it’s best to use Neti Pots about twice a day – once in the morning and again after spending time outdoors.
There are actually some foods that are thought to be ideal in helping allergy sufferers. One European study found that allergy sufferers who ate foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids were less likely to suffer allergy symptoms than those who didn’t regularly eat these food items. Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce inflammation and are present in cold-water fish, walnuts and flaxseed oil, as well as grass-fed meat and eggs.
For those who suffer from swelling and congestion it is believed that adding horseradish, chili peppers or hot mustard to food can act as a natural and temporary decongestant.
Honey is another substance that some people believe is effective at preventing hay fever. They contend that small amounts of flower pollen found in honey can help to desensitize the allergic effect caused by local flowers. I suggest raw local honey.
It is a good idea to safely explore the various natural remedies around to determine if you can help your body to handle allergens in the environment. Hopefully you’ll find a remedy that works to help you to better enjoy the world around you without reaction. Here are some more natural allergy remedies:
* Peppermint tea with honey – Helps soothe the throat and ease congestion.
* Raw Milk Compress – Wet a washcloth and apply to hives.
* Eat Wasabi for congestion – Now you have an excuse to go eat sushi – it’s medicinal!
More Natural Remedies:
You have good timing with this post. I think I’ll try the air purifier.
Dawns last blog post..Daydreaming about Food…
It always amazes me how much a good diet really does for us. I bet a lot of allergies and colds are related to bad diet, way too much chemicals in our foods and sugar sugar sugar.
Alexa Coopers last blog post..7 Best Habits for Weight Loss
I agree with Alexa. I think many of our allergies are diet related. My son had a cold/bronchitis off and on for months this year. We finally got him tested, and he is allergic to many things, but especially eggs. We had no idea! In looking over his diet the last several months, he was consuming plenty of eggs–both fresh and in recipes. We are going to try NAET with him to cure his allergies. Several people I know have had 100% success rates.
I heard that local raw honey is best for allergies, rather than raw honey in general. That way the pollen in it is from local plants.
I’ve used a squeeze bottle in a similar way to how Neti pots are used. It helped me beat something that, if it wasn’t a sinus infection, was awfully close. Same mix of salt and water (not iodized salt, I hear kosher or sea salt is best), and my sinuses quickly improved. Just did it anytime I started having trouble, and then a couple extra days to really get the last of it out.
Green SAHMs last blog post..How Does a Family Cope with Just One Car?
I was looking for natural remedies to treat asthma. I heard that Quercetin (bioflavanoids) works, but it didn’t help me. My son has terrible seasonal allergies that lead to asthma if not well managed with medicine. He was taking Singulair in addition to a lot of other meds, but he was having such a bad reaction to it – severe behavioral/impulse control issues – that I had to take him off it. Now in the height of the season he is ok with the medications he is on. I am open to any natural remedies, but honestly I am not sure if they help with severe allergies. Although medicines can have bad side-effects so can the medical problems if not treated properly! I wish I had a better solution other than giving him eye drops, nasal spray, antihistamine and inhalers everyday!!
smoke cigars
you don’t need to inhale. no more scratchy eyes or coughing.
I think Green SAHM is correct. My Sis-in-law uses local raw honey for her allergies and says it’s worked wonders. The entire idea of using honey is that you become used to the pollen in the flowers in your locale, thus alleviating your symptoms.
Maxines last blog post..Agro-Industrial Complex worse than…
Thanks for the info….I am trying to put together a list of what celebs are doing to help the environment. Ed Begley Jr. is having a sweepstakes where he flys you to Hollywood and gives you tips on how to go green ( http://www.earthlab.com/life/livingwithed/ ) Pretty crazy stuff. Obviously there are many others. Drop me a link if you have any on the top of your head. Thanks again for the info!
I agree with green sahm. Washing your nose is an excellent defense against air born irritants. Make your own salt/baking soda solution or purchase a prepared product. For ease of use I like nasopure.