Is It That Time of Year Again? Seasonal Allergies (Part 1)

According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, 1 in 5 people suffer from some type of allergy. Most people who are struggling with an allergy go to the doctor to be treated. This usually results in some sort of pharmaceutical option from antihistamines to steroids, both of which may actually further exacerbate the allergy symptoms further or cause unwanted side effects. Or, you may decide to self medicate your congested sinuses, headaches, watery or itchy eyes, or any other allergy symptom with the likes of Benadryl, Claritin or other over-the-counter medications to find some relief.

The good news is that you might not necessarily need to take any medications to control your allergy symptoms. There are many natural allergy relief remedies you can try first to help control your symptoms. Here are some amazing, all-natural home remedies for allergies that can help provide fast relief:

• Anti-Inflammatory, Alkaline Diet: To make simple dietary switches that move your overall diet to a more anti-inflammatory state, include these nutrient-dense foods so your immune system has the ability to repair itself, bringing it back into balance so it can fight off common allergies in your environment:
  • garlic
  • lemon
  • green leafy vegetables
  • probiotic rich food
  • bone broth
  • coconut milk
  • almond butter and seeds
  • gluten-free flours/grains
• Local, Raw Honey: The International Archives of Allergy and Immunology published an article in 2011 that tested how pre-seasonal honey use affected people with allergies. They discovered that patients taking honey “reported a 60 percent lower total symptom score, twice as many asymptomatic days, and 70 percent fewer days with severe symptoms.” And they used 50 percent less antihistamines compared to the control group that took conventional medications.
• Quercetin: Naturally found in plant foods such as broccoli, cauliflower, onions/shallots, green tea and citrus fruits, quercetin stabilizes the release of histamines and helps to naturally control allergy symptoms. A recent study found evidence that quercetin is effective at reducing allergies because it helps calm down hyperactivity of the airways.Various sources suggest that it is best to use quercetin as a long-term remedy, since it can take several months of use to start working. People prone to seasonal allergies should start to take them a few weeks before spring arrives when trees and plants start to bloom.

Next week, I will conclude with part two of this series and review 3 additional natural options to treat seasonal allergies.  As always, please comment below with any questions, concerns, or other topics of interest.