Necessary Disclaimer

None of the information on this blog is intended as medical advice or a substitute for proper medical care. Always do a skin patch test before trying a new herb to determine if you are allergic. Be certain that you have the correct herb, as some are dangerous. If you're not sure, check with a professional.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Allergy Relief Home Remedies

If you are one of the more than 22 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies, then you likely seek allergy relief from spring through fall. You can take any number of the allergy medicines available at pharmacies, many of which work well but can leave you feeling groggy. Allergy relief home remedies might be a nice, natural alternative to escape that medicinal fog and eliminate adding chemicals to your body while still getting allergy relief.

Home remedies have been used by our ancestors for countless years and are based on what works.

The following suggestions are all natural and easy to follow.

Allergy Relief Home Remedies

  • Reduce Meat and Dairy Consumption - Animal products contain a fatty acid called arachidonic acid, which contributes to the constriction of bronchial air passages. This is an easy way to find some allergy relief.
  • Eat Lots of Raw Fruit and Vegetables - Fruits and veggies are high in bioflavonoids, especially quercetin. Quercetin is available in many kinds of different fresh, raw produce. Since bioflavonoids are what give fruits and vegetables their colour, look for deep color in your produce. If getting bioflavonoids is difficult, you can take supplements.
  • Shower and Wash Your Hair - If you've been out and find yourself suffering from itchy eyes, a cough or perhaps allergy fatigue, remove any allergens such as pollen, that may still be lurking in your hair or on your body. This is about the most natural allergy relief you can get.
  • Get Your Vitamin C - The sunshine vitamin is also a natural antihistamine. It will help to reduce stuffiness and nasal drip because it eases the inflammation. You can take supplements or increase your citrus intake.
  • Drink Nettle Tea - Nettle leaves help with hay fever symptoms. If you prefer, you can get your nettle leaves in a tincture or capsule form.
  • Drink Angelica Tea - This is another good herb for hay fever, as well as for other types of allergies. I think that the hot tea also makes you feel better and helps to unstuff your head.
  • Cider Vinegar Drink - You can try this, it won't hurt you. Just mix two tablespoons of cider vinegar into a glass of water. Drink. Easy, right? Repeat daily as needed. There is also another recipe that calls for using one tablespoon of unfiltered apple cider vinegar mixed in with one tablespoon of local honey into a glass of water.
  • Eat Local Honey - Depending on the type of allergy you have, this should provide some allergy relief. You may want to switch types, i.e. eat clover honey and switch to wildflower at some point. What you are doing is building up a tolerance so that your body reduces or stops its over-reaction to the allergen.
  • Stay Generally Healthy - Your mother no doubt has told you - eat right, exercise and get plenty of rest. The healthier you are, the better your body is equipped to deal with any irritating allergens. Don't forget to drink lots of hydrating, mucous-thinning water, too.
There are even more allergy relief home remedies but these are good ones to start with.

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