It’s a beautiful day outside. The plants are blooming, the birds are singing, and the sun is shining. Everyone is having a wonderful time. Except for you. You’re sneezing, your eyes are watery, and your nose is congested. It’s official: you have allergies.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. In fact, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, over 24 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. You’d think that with all of the modern medicine we have today, there would be a cure for allergies by now. But unfortunately, there’s not.
So we resort to popping antihistamines like they’re candy and using nasal sprays until we can’t feel our noses anymore. But what if there were natural remedies for allergies that actually worked? Well, there are!
Here are ten remedies for seasonal allergies that will have you feeling better in no time.
11 Natural Home Remedies for Allergies
Here are some of the best treatments for those pesky allergies that are natural, safe, and may even have additional wellness benefits:
1. Use Saline Sprays or Neti Pots
“Nasal irrigation” may not have an appealing ring to it, but if you’re suffering from allergy symptoms, it may be a godsend. Nasal irrigation works by flushing out your nasal passages with a saltwater solution, which helps to rinse pollen, dust, and other irritants away.
You can either use a saline spray or a Neti pot. A Neti pot uses the power of gravity to flush the saline solution through your nose, while a saline spray just delivers a fine mist.
If you’re using a Neti pot, make sure you use distilled water or sterile water that’s been boiled for at least three minutes and cooled. You don’t want to introduce any more bacteria into your system or burn yourself!
2. Give Essential Oils a Try
Essential oils are fat-soluble liquids that are extracted from plants. They have a number of uses, including aromatherapy, massage, and natural healing.
There are a few different essential oils that can help with allergies:
- Lavender oil has both anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties, which makes it great for relieving congestion, itchiness, and swelling.
- Eucalyptus oil is also effective in relieving congestion. It does this by opening up your nasal passages and sinuses, making it easier for you to breathe. It’s also cooling and refreshing, which can help to soothe an irritated throat.
- Lemon is another good essential oil for allergies. It has natural antihistamine properties and can also help to boost your immune system.
To use essential oils for allergies, you can either add a few drops to a diffuser or inhale them directly from the bottle. You can also dilute them with a carrier oil like jojoba oil or coconut oil and apply them to your skin.
Just be careful not to use too much, as essential oils can be quite potent. Start with a small amount and increase it gradually until you find the right level for you.
3. Start Taking Probiotics
There’s some promising research to suggest that probiotics may help to reduce allergy symptoms. Probiotics are live microorganisms that are found in certain foods or supplements.
They work by restoring the natural balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut, which can have a positive impact on your overall health. Instead of taking a probiotic supplement, opt for foods that are rich in probiotics, like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut.
When choosing a probiotic supplement, look for one that contains at least one billion live cultures and has been refrigerated to ensure freshness. Start with a small dose and increase it gradually over time until you find the right level for you.
4. Set Up an Air Purifier
There are all sorts of toxins and irritants in the air that can lead to an allergic reaction. We’re exposed to them every time we step outside when the pollen count is high. And even when we’re indoors, they can find their way in through open doors and windows.
One way to protect yourself from these airborne allergens is to set up an air purifier in your home. Air purifiers work by drawing in contaminated air and filtering out the pollutants.
Make sure you choose an air purifier that’s designed to remove allergens, like dust mites, pollen, and pet dander. Some air purifiers also come with HEPA filters, which are even more effective at trapping pollutants.
Place your air purifier in the room where you spend the most time and make sure to change the filter regularly.
5. Up Your Vitamin Intake
Certain vitamins and minerals can help to reduce allergy symptoms. Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, which means it can help to relieve congestion, sneezing, and itchiness.
Vitamin D is another vitamin that’s been shown to be effective in reducing allergies. It works by boosting your immune system and helping your body to better fight off infection.
You can get your daily dose of vitamin C by eating citrus fruits, leafy greens, bell peppers, and tomatoes. For vitamin D, try spending a few minutes in the sun each day or taking a supplement.
In addition to vitamins C and D, magnesium, zinc, and omega-three fatty acids have also been shown to be helpful in reducing allergy symptoms. You can find these nutrients in foods like dark chocolate, pumpkin seeds, and salmon.
While there’s no cure for allergies, these natural remedies can help to reduce your symptoms and make them more manageable. Try a few different solutions and see what works best for you. And remember, always
6. Stay Hydrated
Water things mucus which makes it easier to expel from your system. When you’re dehydrated, your mucus becomes sticky and harder to get rid of. This can lead to congestion, sinus infections, and other complications.
To stay hydrated, drink plenty of fluids throughout the day. Water is always a good choice, but you can also drink herbal tea, fruit juice (not too much), or vegetable juice. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as they can actually dehydrate you.
If you’re struggling to drink enough fluids, try carrying a water bottle with you everywhere you go or setting reminders on your phone. And make sure to increase your fluid intake when it’s hot outside or if you’re exercising, as you’ll lose more water through sweating.
7. Get Rid of Scented Chemical Cleaners
Scented chemical cleaners are one of the most common indoor allergens. They contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can trigger asthma and allergy symptoms.
To avoid these reactions, ditch the scented cleaning products and opt for natural alternatives instead. You can make your own cleaning solutions using ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils.
Not only are natural cleaners better for your health, but they’re also better for the environment. So make the switch today and see how you feel.
8. Set Up a Steam Inhalation Station
Sometimes you just need to let it all out. Steam inhalation is a great natural allergy relief method that can help to loosen congestion and make it easier to breathe.
Fill a bowl with hot water and add a few drops of eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, or lavender oil. Lean over the bowl, drape a towel over your head, and breathe in the steam for five to ten minutes.
The hot steam will help relieve itchy eyes, a runny nose, and a congested head. This method is a good idea if you’re having an allergy attack and need to quickly drain sediment like pollen, dander, or dust.
Make sure to wash your face with a hypoallergenic cleanser afterward to remove any allergens that might have been trapped in your pores.
9. Invest in a Robotic Vacuum
I’m sure you’ve heard of (or tripped over) those little robotic vacuums that have become all the rage in recent years. While they might seem like a frivolous purchase, they can actually be a blessing for allergy sufferers.
Sweeping the floor is actually very dirty business, and your allergies may be triggered by kicking up histamine inducing dust particles. A robotic vacuum can do the job for you while you sit back and relax.
These particles are directly pulled into the vacuum device and pass through a filter so that they’re not recirculated into the air. This can help to reduce your allergy symptoms and keep your home clean at the same time.
During allergy season, run the robot once a day. Most models can be set on timers to make this a super simple process. Go ahead and vacuum your furniture as well for a deeper cleaning.
You may notice relief from itching eyes and a stuffy nose immediately.
10. Supplement With Bee Pollen
If you’re looking for a preventative solution that is less invasive than getting allergy shots, consider supplementing with bee pollen. Bee pollen is a natural source of histamine, which can help to build immunity against seasonal allergies.
Start taking bee pollen supplements a few weeks before allergy season begins. This will give your body time to adjust and build up a tolerance. You can find bee pollen supplements at most health food stores or online. You can also take propolis and royal jelly, which are also derived from bees and offer similar benefits.
Bee pollen is a natural source of vitamins, minerals, protein, and enzymes. It’s also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. All of these factors make bee pollen an excellent natural remedy for allergies.
11. Drink Medicinal Teas
Herbal teas are a great alternative or pairing to your allergy medications. Here are some great natural teas that help to curb seasonal allergy symptoms:
- Stinging Nettle: This tea is rich in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties. It can help to relieve hay fever symptoms like a runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing.
- Ginger: Ginger is a natural antihistamine that can help to reduce inflammation and ease allergy symptoms. This warming spice is also great for nausea and stomach upset.
- Lemon Balm: This tea has a calming effect and can help to reduce stress. It’s also an effective natural remedy for hay fever, hives, and eczema.
- Rosemary: Rosemary is a natural decongestant that can help to clear sinuses and ease respiratory problems. This herb is also known for its ability to improve memory and cognitive function.
- Peppermint: Peppermint tea can help to relieve a stuffy nose, coughing, and chest congestion. This cooling herb is also great for headaches and nausea.
- Turmeric: This root contains an important compound called curcumin, which has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Turmeric can help to ease allergy symptoms like a runny nose, congestion, and sneezing.
Let Food Be Thy (Allergy) Medicine
An overarching message to take away is that your overall diet has a lot to do with allergy and asthma symptoms. A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, healthy fats, and lean protein can help to reduce inflammation and ease allergy symptoms.
On the other hand, a diet high in processed foods, sugar, and unhealthy fats can actually make allergies worse. This is because these foods can trigger inflammation and make the immune system more reactive.
You can get a lot of nutritious allergy-reducing vitamins and minerals in by drinking smoothies or juices regularly. Here’s a great juice recipe to try during allergy season:
Ingredients:
- ½ cup pineapple juice
- ¼ cup orange juice
- ¼ cup grapefruit juice
- ½ inch piece of ginger, peeled and sliced
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
Instructions:
Simply combine all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. You can drink this juice once or twice a day during allergy season for the best results.
While there’s no cure for allergies, there are plenty of natural remedies that can help to ease symptoms. By following these tips, you can get through allergy season without too much discomfort. Do you have any favorite natural allergy remedies? Share them in the comments below!
For many people, there are allergy triggers in the foods they eat as well. This can really complicate things, but the elimination diet can help you to weed out the culprits.
The elimination diet works by removing certain foods from your diet for a period of time, then slowly reintroducing them one at a time to see how your body reacts. This process can be time-consuming, but it’s the best and most natural way to figure out which foods are triggering your allergies.
Why You Should Treat Your Allergy Symptoms Naturally?
You may be wondering, why should I even go through all of this natural treatment when I can just take a pill?
The answer is simple. natural remedies for allergies offer a more holistic approach that not only treats the symptoms but also gets to the root of the problem.
Allergy medications can be effective in the short term, but they often come with unpleasant side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, and nausea. They can also cause dependency and don’t do anything to treat the underlying causes of allergies.
Natural remedies, on the other hand, are safe, gentle, and usually side-effect free. They can also be used in combination with each other to create a synergistic effect. And best of all, natural remedies may be able to relieve allergy symptoms permanently when used over time.
The Bottom Line: Home Remedies for Seasonal Allergies
The bottom line is that allergies are a pain, both literally and figuratively. They can make you feel miserable and can even lead to more serious health problems down the road.
Thankfully, there are natural solutions that can help. By taking a few simple steps, you can ease your allergy symptoms and get back to feeling like yourself again.
Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to treating allergies. It’s important to experiment and find what works best for you.
Do you have any natural allergy remedies that you swear by? Let me know in the comments!
