Spring is upon us! While we welcome warmer days many dread spring. As the earth is starting to awaken so do many people’s allergies. Congestion, runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, headaches – just a few fun symptoms! As plants and trees begin to bloom pollen levels increase in the air. These can be troublesome for many, but there are a variety of ways to combat seasonal allergies without reaching for over-the-counter medications, which can only mask the symptoms, not help your body to heal and process the allergens more effectively.
Lifestyle Changes for Allergies
Stay Hydrated: Drink at least half your body weight in ounces of water each day. Dehydration exacerbates allergy symptoms and makes it more difficult for your body to move mucus.
Exercise: Get some movement in each day. This strengthens our respiratory system, reduces inflammation, fortifies our immune system, balances our hormones, and much more!
Eat a diet low in inflammatory foods: Inflammatory foods can trigger allergy symptoms and cause increased mucus production – not to mention al the other ill side effects for your health! Avoid these common inflammatory foods: Alcohol, sugar, processed foods, wheat/gluten, dairy, coffee, vegetable oils, artificial sweeteners, and refined carbs.
Nasal Irrigation: using a neti-pot can help clear sinuses, remove congestion, and quell allergy symptoms.
Clean Frequently: vacuum frequently to reduce dust and pollen in the home. Also wash bedding and other blankets.
Holistic Remedies for Allergies
Quercetin
Can help naturally calm allergy symptoms by calming the release of histamines and quells hyperactivity in the airways. Best taken prior to allergy symptoms really ramping up and things are in bloom.
Aller-Calm
A combination containing nettle and other herbs that are anti-histamine, decongestant, bronchio-dialating, and liver stimulating. This combo helps to calm seasonal allergies and aid our body to be more resilient against allergies. Best taken prior to the allergy season beginning.
Probiotics
Help to fortify the gut and make us more resistant to allergy symptoms by improving our immune system. Up to 80% of our immune system is found in our gut! This is a great compliment to any of these other allergy remedies.
Local Raw Honey (bee pollen)
Another great complimentary remedy to help combat seasonal allergies. Local raw honey which contains the natural bee pollens can help the body build a tolerance to pollens, support immunity, and ward off infections. Take a tablespoon a day. Can be taken all year round, but especially during the allergy season.
Allergy Relief
Homeopathic Remedies
RhinAllergy: targets hay fever symptoms and upper respiratory distress caused by seasonal allergies
Histaminum: indicated for hay fever and hives.
SinusCalm: relieves nasal congestion, headaches, sinus pain and pressure caused by allergies.
Optique: relives eye irritations due to allergies.
Essential Oils
Essential oils can be diffused or applied topically to help manage allergy symptoms. They can help by opening up airways, reducing inflammation, supporting detoxification and breakdown of pollens.
Essential oils that are helpful for allergies are lavender, eucalyptus, tea tree, peppermint, lemon and frankincense.
