[pinit]
Tis the season for allergies; everyone seems to be affected by the intense amounts of pollen the trees and grasses are spewing into the air in the spring and fall. The damp rains of both seasons tend to increase mold and mildew which bothers even the healthiest among us, inflaming airways and creating cough, sneezes, and those “itchy, burning eyes” seen on commercials. There are remedies beyond what’s being advertised on television, though. I’ve used the following remedies for some of the seasonal symptoms, with success:
1.The Neti Pot. Really. If you haven’t heard of it yet, you’ve lived in a dark cave for some time. Caves are dank and moldy and I’ll bet you need a Neti Pot!
2. All-around great natural antihistamine: Aller-Ease.* (I’ll say this: Hubs and I were experiencing major allergy symptoms because, unbeknownst then, we were living in a toxic (read: moldy) house. This stuff took care of the nasties.)
3. Lay off the dairy. Check out my Dairy Free Info page for a little more about how dairy is an inflammatory that may just exacerbate your symptoms and/or inhibit your ability to fight off invaders to your system. Plus, think about it: cheese is a mold!
4. (This one I have not tried.) Up your intake of Vitamin E, specifically the gamma-tocopherol type, which has been proven to reduce inflammation in the airways of lab rats and is being studied as a treatment for asthma. The amount used in a study by Bastyr University was 800 IU.*
*Protect My Arse Disclaimer: As with any change in vitamins or supplements, consult your naturopath or M.D.
Have you tried any of these methods? Do you have any other time-tested, natural remedies for allergies?
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This could not have been more timely. I just checked the reports; weeds are high today, and we’re going outside for a pre-school playdate. I’m definitely going to use the Neti-Pot before we go!
I hope you can stay symptom-free!
I’ll be sure to try these. My allergies flared up in late June. I had swollen tonsils for more than a month as a result. They’ll get going anytime I go walk after the grass has been cut too.
Thanks for these suggestions, hubby always suffers with this!
Hope one of them works!
One of my favorite preemptive strikes – local honey, before and during allergy season. Seems to reduce symptoms, is reasonably inexpensive and tastes great!
Gosh, Alondra! Thanks! How could I forget local honey?!
How much honey should I take each day? I know this helps, but not sure how much to eat 🙂 Thanks!
Hi Sara, I did a brief search and it seems that in studies where people benefited from eating local honey, they were taking about 10 grams per day, or around 2 teaspoons. You can also increase your intake of Vitamin D3 to ward off allergy symptoms by getting some sunshine or taking an oral supplement. Consult a health professional for appropriate amounts of supplements. (I need to amend my post to include that information!)
Great info. My husband and daughter both suffer from allergies.
Hi Jill! Thanks for joining me!
Thanks for the helpful information. I have Grave’s disease so it’s really difficult to find natural remedies.
Thanks for joining, Rebecca!
Great information!!
Thanks, Jen!