Awesome Natural Remedies for Fighting Allergies

These Awesome Natural Remedies for Fighting Allergies will give you part or full relief during the 'forbidden' allergy season. If you’ve ever had to suffer through uncomfortable allergy symptoms (or had a loved one who has), then you’ll know just how dire it is to get a boost in your body's response to fighting such miserable symptoms away. While there are many over-the-counter medicines available, the truth is–natural is best and these remedies actually work (some more than others)!

OK. So I know just how important this blog post is. Allergy season is one of the most "hated" parts about Spring for some of you. Yes, I totally understand why! While I'm one of the lucky few who don't deal with these miserable symptoms, I do have loved ones who suffer through this time, so I get it.

And yes----there are many over-the-counter meds like Zyrtec, Claritin, Xyzal, Allegra, and the list goes on. However, I find that most meds don't really solve the problem (entirely anyway!) when it comes to getting rid of your allergy symptoms and if they do, most meds come with the effect of feeling 'drowsy' throughout the day which is a whole other bummer!

Worry no more! I've rounded up a list of Natural Remedies (some proven, others more of a trial + error) which will get you through this season!

If you've been an avid follower of Orchids + Sweet Tea, then you're aware of a few wellness posts which have been super helpful to many of you, including Is Not Letting Go Affecting Your Growth, Ending Relationships: 5 Mindsets That Keep You Stuck, 10 Ways to Simply Rest + Relax, and 8 Secrets to Being Your Best You.

First things first----let's talk about what an Allergy actually is. Specifically, Seasonal Allergies are an allergic reaction (usually to pollen, grass, etc.) which causes itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, stuffy nose, and other similar symptoms.

What Causes Some to Have it and Not Others?

Whelp. The only real answer is that it just depends on your individual make-up. Because allergies occur when your Immune System mistakes a normally harmless substance for a dangerous one, it all just depends on how your own body reacts. Of course, allergies may run in families also, therefore the genetic component might play a huge role!

Then there's the other theory that being 'exposed' to allergens (pollen, etc.) as a baby might lessen your chances greatly of suffering from allergies later on in life.

So, now that we best understand what seasonal allergies are and why not everyone has it, let's talk about some Natural ways to help alleviate those miserable symptoms, which I've listed below:

• HEPA Filter
• Shut out breezes from outside
• Shower when coming in from outside (this washes off allergens attached to your clothes or skin)
• Nasal Rinses + Saline Sprays
• Use Natural Home Cleaners
• Acupuncture
• Drink Nettle Leaf tea
• Try Immunotherapy
• Exercise (30 minutes of Moderate or Intense workouts reduces mucous production)
• IV Drip Therapy

Apple Cider Vinegar

ACV has some pretty awesome properties which not only helps to clean our hair and skin or fight infections and kill bacteria internally, but also when it comes to fighting allergy symptoms. How? Whelp, it helps to reduce the production of mucous and cleanses our lymphatic system.

Just 1 tablespoon daily does the trick! If you can, taking the 1 tablespoon without anything works best but of course, you can add it to a small amount of water for an easier swallow. Haha.

Another great way to keep your body and immune system healthy is through periodic detoxes. This 3 Detoxes That You Should Be Doing More Often discusses some of the mini steps that you can take to ensure that your goal to ‘complete wellness’ happens before the year ends.

Bee Pollen + Honey

When it comes to fighting seasonal allergies, exposure in the right way can definitely make a difference. That's why using Bee Pollen or Honey helps to naturally introduce our bodies to the substances that our bodies sees as harmful, which helps our Immune System to realize that it isn't dangerous, further getting rid of our allergies.

Specifically, taking Honey daily (1-2 Tbsps) by itself helps to reduce your allergy symptoms over time. Plus, Honey has amazing antioxidant properties which is a great boost to our Immune Systems as well.

Probiotics

Yup. You've read this right. Probiotics are not just for our digestive health, but for overall health as well. Again, since allergies are a reaction to our body's defense mechanism, ensuring that our Immune Systems are the healthiest is the key to fighting allergies more effectively!

Water!

Believe it or not, drinking plenty of water helps big time! Being dehydrated actually intensifies your allergy symptoms, therefore, being the opposite helps to keep things in control and more comfortable.

Steam Bowls/Inhalation

Another great way to fight your allergy symptoms is with a steam bowl. Simply add very hot water to any size bowl (preferably medium or large in size) and sit a few inches away from it with a towel over your head to keep the steam 'inside' your face area so that it helps to soothe and open up your nasal passages.

Usually, it only takes 10-15 minutes per session for it to be effective, however, you can repeat this throughout the day as much as you'd like (ensuring that you don't do this for more than 15 minutes each time). Taking it a step further, adding Lemongrass or Eucalyptus oil to your steam bowl also helps to get better relief. Only a few drops (somewhere around 5-10) is needed. Just be extra careful with everything since IT IS HOT WATER!

Diet, Diet, Diet!!

One of the best ways to naturally fight allergies is eating a great diet. While our diet plays a huge role in everything, including our overall health, eating a healthy diet also plays a great role in how our bodies respond to allergens.

More importantly, studies have shown that the following foods actually make your allergy symptoms worst: Alcohol, peanuts, sugar, processed foods, wheat, chocolate, and coffee. Of course, ensuring that you stay clear of traditional dairy products and gluten, helps to keep your mucous levels low as they often aide in mucous production.

Then there's other studies which shows that allergy sufferers often have a reaction to the following foods as well:

• Pineapples
• Cucumbers
• Sunflower seeds
• Melons
• Zucchini
• Bananas
• Shellfish
• Soy

So, to be safe---be sure to document your allergy symptom intensity when paired with any of these foods to determine if this relates to you.

Of course, one of the best ways to keep healthy and truly aid your body’s fight against sickness is again---in what you eat! If you’re thinking about going on the Vegan diet, then this How to Best Transition into a Plant-Based or Vegan Diet is the perfect article to read for a great push.

Butterbur.

So, what the heck is Butterbur? Whelp, Butterbur is a type of marsh plant (within the sunflower family), which has been used for medicinal purposes for ages. Some well known uses for it has been for various health issues, including treating headaches (including Migraines).

It can be taken in the form of an oil or pill and of course should only be taken as directed. In addition, studies have shown that people who have taken Butterbur showed significant improvement in their allergy symptoms. Definitely, let your doctor know about any supplements that you choose to take, including this one.

To see our episode on this from our Natural Remedies Series on our YouTube Channel, be sure to check it out: here.

There you have it----a list of Awesome Natural Remedies for Fighting Allergies! To see 10 Naturally Effective Ways to Fight a Cold/Flu, be sure to check out that blog post! So, just think about trying natural home remedies next time and you’ll see just how well you get better. 

Awesome Natural Remedies for Fighting Allergies.

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