Natural Allergy Remedies For You
Spring is in the air, and that means allergens are too. As the weather starts to get warmer and moisture starts to build, pollen and molds bloom, and sprintime winds spread these far and wide.
When it comes to allergies, misery loves company. Around 40 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, and nearly 10 percent of Americans are allergic to pollen.
The result of pollen allergies is hay fever, whose symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, and puffy, watery eyes.
While the sales of over-the-counter allergy medicines are going through the roof, better, less expensive remedies might be as close at hand as your own kitchen.
Now, natural remedies do not necessarily mean safe or effective, and people may have unintended side effects. It's best to check with your doctor before trying any natural remedy, especially if pregnant or nursing.
Natural Allergy Remedies
Butterbur: another name for Petasites, which is a shrub with huge leaves. The plant is toxic, however some studies have shown it's effective in treating symptoms of allergies.
Quercetin: an herbal supplement that has been shown to reduce congestion as well as sinus pain. Taking vitamin C may actually improve the effectiveness by reducing inflammation. You may have to experiment with this though, as it is unclear how much you would need to take.
Homeopathic Nasal Mists: salt water and saline sprays help to wash away pollen that gets trapped in the nose, which can reduce the need for medication or remove the problem all together. They're also inexpensive, which is a plus.
Antioxidant Fruits and Vegetables: grape seed extract, found in vitamin or health food stores, has been shown effective for reducing allergies, but even in your own refrigerator, apples, bananas and onions have anti-inflammatory properties and helpt to build up your immune system.
Some foods, including apples for some people, can cross-react with pollen from trees and plants and cause allergy symptoms to worsen. Foods to avoid include pears, kiwi, peaches, cherries, celery, nectarines, carrots, parsley, peppers and nuts like hazlenuts, almonds, and walnuts.
There are supplements you should watch out for as well, such as Echinacea, which is the most popular supplement in the country. While Echinacea can help to prevent colds, it also helps to worsen seasonal allergies.