How to Deal with Your Allergies Naturally
Allergies can be one of the most frustrating medical issues to deal with. The watery eyes, the constant runny nose, the sneezing—these symptoms alone can make anyone feel awful, as well as despise the spring and fall seasons. Throw some antihistamines into the mix, and now you’re experiencing the symptoms AND you’re drowsy.
Plus, allergy medication isn’t cheap, and if you have to take a pill or two (or three or four) every day to try and control your symptoms, it can add up quickly. Luckily, there are natural remedies to help alleviate allergy symptoms.
Butterbur
This European herb has been gaining a lot of attention lately, and for good reason. During a recent study, it was found that butterbur was just as effective as controlling the symptoms of hay fever as other popular antihistamines. Another study found that butterbur helped relieve people of their grass allergies. And it does all of this without causing the user to feel drowsy.
Saline
Saline is just a fancy name for salt water, and this is a great way to control a runny nose. Using saline as a nasal spray will help remove pollen from inside your nose and helps reduce mucus. If you’re not near an ocean, saline can be purchased at your local drugstore.
Grape Seed Extract
When used with Vitamin C, grape seed extract is very helpful in alleviating the common allergy symptoms. Grape seed extract can be found naturally in many foods, but it can also be purchased and consumed on its own when suffering from allergy symptoms. Plus, it’s also a very common ingredient in most red wines, and while grape seed extract works better in its natural form, having a glass or two on a regular basis may help relieve your symptoms.
Quercetin
Quercetin is a compound found naturally in plants, and it helps the body from producing histamine. This compound can be found in most citrus fruits as well as other vegetables, but in order to be the most effective, allergy sufferers will need to consume it in supplement form in order to intake enough to be preventative.
Steam
Have you ever noticed that your allergy symptoms tend to fade after you get out of the shower? That is because of the steam. If you are congested, inhaling steam can be a great natural remedy. While regular steam will work, you can also inhale steam from essential oils, such as rosemary or eucalyptus. Place a few drops into hot water and place a towel over your head to keep the steam close to your face. Do this for 10 minutes a few times per day, and you will alleviate your congestion.
While natural remedies can help alleviate allergy sufferers from their symptoms, and while most of them are safe, it is important to always consult your doctor first. Some natural remedies may not work well if the user has any underlying health problems, and you should always check with your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing.
Ashley Cole is a stay at home mom with 3 beautiful daughters and a passion for writing. She never writes without the help of a grammar checker to instantly proof her work and filter out any grammatical mistakes. She considers herself a cosmetics expert and never leaves home without her Eco Tools makeup.
Related posts: