Natural Allergy Relief

Millions of people around the world suffer from allergies and the changing of the seasons is a particularly prominent time when these allergies affect us the most.

Some of the most common symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose, wheezing and itchy and watery red eyes. Every year the pollen from trees, grass, flowers, and plants makes its way into the air and into our bodies to reap misery.

Hay fever is the most common of all the airborne allergies and the arrival of Spring can be a particularly difficult time for many people.

For the drug companies it is boom time. Over the counter remedies are sold in their millions even though most of them aren’t able to do the job they promise. Antihistamines side effects and the fact that we soon become immune to these drugs, make our search to cure the debilitating symptoms that come with allergies like hay fever, even harder.

Natural Allergy Relief

So if antihistamines aren’t the answer, what alternatives are there? Fortunately there are natural remedies and treatments that can help reduce the symptoms even if they can’t cure the allergy completely. If you’re one of the millions of people who suffer from allergies like hay fever, I’m sure even a 50% reduction in your symptoms would be a real blessing.

Here are 5 tips that don’t involve antihistamines to help minimize the effects of your allergy:

1. Make your home a safe house

• The first thing to do is make sure your home is as allergy protected as possible. After all, this is where you spend most of your time.

• Keep your home clean and as dust free as possible. Avoid carpets as they are a perfect place to collect dust and bacteria. Hard or wooden flooring is much better for allergy sufferers.

• Cover open windows with a fine mesh to prevent the spread of pollen.

• Invest in a good dehumidifier to keep the air from stagnating and dust to settle.

• Limit the places pets can go in the home. Especially prevent them from entering bedrooms or climbing onto the couch.

2. Drink Green Tea

Green tea has been touted as containing large quantities of antioxidants which are important to maintain a healthy body and immune system. As well as antioxidants, Green tea and Chamoline tea both contain natural antihistamines which can help balance your immune system.

3. Keep your airways clear

One of the biggest problems with allergies is a blocked or runny nose. It is important to try and keep your nasal passages clear or at least at a more comfortable level. There are some good over the counter decongestants that do help.

Alternatively try adding a solution of sea salt to some warm water and inhaling. Let the solution drain back down through the nose. It doesn’t matter if you swallow most of it as it won’t do you any harm. It’s not the most pleasant experience in the world, but it does help.

4. The Benefits of Bromelain

Bromelain is a natural product found primarily in the stems and juice of pineapples. It consists of a mixture of enzymes that have been shown in studies to help reduce inflammation and congestion, improve breathing and suppress coughing. It can be bought as a supplement or consumed in its raw state.

As well as helping with allergies, Bromelain can also help fight against some types of cancer, osteoarthritis, digestion and sinusitis.

5. Consume natural, local, healthy foods.

Eating local, unprocessed honey can work wonders for allergies like hay fever. You need to ensure the honey is made as close to your home as possible and eat around a teaspoon a day. Also, bee pollen supplements may help alleviate allergies although probably not as effective as locally made honey.

Local herbs, plants and flowers can all help to alleviate allergies. For example, stinging nettle has been used around the world for years to help reduce inflammation. Eating local, organic food will help your immune system fight your allergies far more than pumping antihistamines into your body.

Find your local, natural health pharmacy for advice. They’ll be able to recommend suitable products. Or at least do some wider research on the internet regarding beneficial, local produce. You could even grow it yourself if you have the room!