The Natural Way to Combat Allergies

figting allergiesAllergies can be frustrating, and the symptoms might keep you from doing the things you love. You don’t even need to go outside to have an allergic reaction to airborne mold, pollen, and hay particles. Seasonal allergies will make symptoms worse during certain times of the year.  Who wants to have a stuffy nose when Spring has finally arrived, and the flowers are in full bloom?

Allergies are different for everyone but common symptoms to allergies can include dry itchy eyes, congestion, a sore throat.  You may develop rashes or hives, or experience headaches.

Over the counter medications are a common solution for fighting symptoms. But there are other ways to boost your body’s natural defenses and many of them can be found in the home.  Using these natural tips on a regular basis may make allergies easier to deal with.

Certain foods help fight allergies

Certain foods can be added to your diet to support the natural bacteria in your body. Probiotics are small organisms and bacteria that assist your body’s natural processes. There are many foods rich in probiotics, and incorporating a few of these into your diet may help. Foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, Kimchi, Kombucha, Pickles, and certain types of cheese can give you a boost of probiotics. These foods are great for you and offer benefits beyond fighting allergies. A diet that is rich in probiotics has also been found to help keep your stomach healthy and happy.

Make Tea a regular part of your day

In addition to probiotic food, some kinds of tea contain antioxidants which help ease inflammation. A few cups of green, nettle, or ginger tea might do the trick if you’re experiencing congestion or inflammation as a result of an allergy.  Tea is good for sore throats and sticking to tea and avoiding coffee can help keep you hydrated.

A homemade tea made from a bit of chopped up ginger, lemon juice, and honey can give the immune system a much needed boost when you are experiencing allergy related symptoms.

Eating local honey

Bees stay busy by make honey, extracting the nectar from flowers and processing it into a concentrated form for times when they might need a little bit more food than mother nature can offer.

Flowers will be different wherever you go, so it stands to reason that the pollen will also be different.  The honey that a bee makes will be dependent on the types of flowers growing where you live.

Eating local honey can help your immune system recognize the local fauna.  When allergy season hits, your body will be used to the pollen in your area.  It’s like building a tolerance, and if you like eating honey then there is really no downside to trying this natural remedy.

Apple cider Vinegar

While the scientific evidence in support of the effects of apple cider vinegar are limited, many people swear by it as a natural remedy for all kinds of health issues.  Those who swear by apple cider vinegar to stay healthy will tell you that its also an effective tool for helping to fight allergies.  Apple cider vinegar has cleansing properties that boost your immune system and fight mucous buildup.  It also helps clean out your lymph nodes, which can be really helpful for getting icky things out of your body.

It’s recommended that a few spoonfuls of apple cider vinegar spread throughout the day will do wonders to help treat your allergy symptoms.  You might as well give it a shot, it couldn’t hurt to have another natural remedy in your toolbox for fighting common sicknesses and allergies.  There are also claims that it helps to ease inflammation.

Keep your house pollen free

Keeping a clean house is another natural strategy for fighting allergies. Allergens stick to your clothes or hitch a ride on family pets. These particles settle in unwanted places like carpet and bedding. Simple household chores like vacuuming and dusting make a difference in keeping your house free of allergens. Keep an eye out for black mold and white fungus that might grow in your bathroom or your kitchen.  Although less obvious, mold can be a real pest and is a common cause of allergies.

It’s a common misconception that allergies are only attributed to pollen and plants that live outdoors.  But sometimes during bad weather we stay inside for a few days, and our allergies may act up.  This could be the result of mold that lives inside our house that gets worse when the weather is particularly damp and cold.

Keep moving and stay active

Exercise alone won’t get rid of your allergies.  But regular exercise can help improve blood flow and reduce congestion. Staying active helps speed up the body’s natural processes for removing allergens and toxins from the body.  Exercise can also help relieve sinus pressure and help clear your lungs.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture has been used to treat chronic pain and illnesses, but there are many who believe that it can be used to treat allergies as well.  Using acupuncture methods to target certain spots may be a way to treat allergy symptoms.

Stay hydrated

Like exercise, water alone can’t cure your allergies. But dehydration is one of the most overlooked medical conditions in the United States. There is no ‘one size fits all’ answer for how much water you need to stay hydrated. Factors like weight, age, and physical activity all have to be considered when you’re trying to determine what works for you. If you are staying hydrated, you are one step closer to ensuring that your body is getting what it needs to do its job.

Allergies may slow you down and cause frustration.  But if you use these natural tips and stay healthy, you may be able to treat your allergy symptoms naturally and avoid paying for over-the-counter medication.  Natural remedies can be a great way of combating common illnesses and allergies, but remember to speak to your doctor if your allergies become debilitating.

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