Natural Tips to Handle Troublesome Allergy Symptoms
After being cooped up all winter long, the warm weather draws us outside to enjoy the sunshine. Spring blooms also bring pollen, which can leave you feeling uncomfortable. You can handle troublesome allergy symptoms and embrace this season’s full bloom with these natural approaches.
Practice an ounce of prevention
Did you know wearing sunglasses helps reduce your exposure to allergens? The sun is finally shining brightly, so you may already have tossed those sunglasses in your bag. Make sure you wear them as often as possible to lower the allergens getting into your eyes.
I’m sure you’re a hand-washing pro after the year we’ve had, and encourage you to continue that on into spring as well. Washing those allergens off of your hands before they have the chance to get into your eyes, nose, or mouth will help to bypass some symptoms before they even start.
Try bee pollen
The next time you’re at Whole Foods, grab a bottle of bee pollen supplement. When you take pollen daily, it can work on desensitizing your immune system. It also gives you amino acids, vitamins, and proteins while helping quell inflammation. You can add this to your morning smoothie, and you’ll never notice it’s there. Oh, locally harvested raw honey can offer a similar, though not as concentrated, benefit.
Spring clean your home
Those allergens could get lodged in the things you use at home every day. From the carpets on your floor to the curtains surrounding the windows and even the blades on the ceiling fans, give everything a thorough cleaning to liberate yourself from trapped allergens.
Know the signs of mold
Mold and mildew are prevalent allergens, and they can be hiding in places in your home. It often lurks on shower curtains and can be easily removed with a bit of vinegar and baking soda. Mold hides in damp areas — behind your refrigerator, under your sink, air conditioning vents, etc. If you have had unexplained health challenges, sleuthing sources of mold and remediating them could make a significant difference.
Recruit some herbal support
Quercetin is a plant pigment found in a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs. It is a natural antihistamine that can help you counter the affects of allergies. I’ve also found that adding Butterbur alongside quercetin further boosts its benefits. There are also essential oils that can help – such as tea tree (melaleuca), lavender, peppermint, and pachouli. Please note that when using essential oils you would usually need to apply them frequently through the day or diffuse them nearby.
Of course, if you have severe seasonal allergies, you should always check with your doctor. These natural tips are meant to help you handle troublesome allergy symptoms like coughing, sneezing, and watery eyes without medications. They can be used in conjunction with what your doctor advises for your unique situation.
Finding ways to get the relief you deserve is what matters most so you can truly enjoy a fantastic spring season and beyond.
