Brown bottles keep contents from oxidizing
People who suffer from seasonal allergies such as hay fever or allergic rhinitis are frequently plagued with the sneezing, itchy eyes, sinus pressure, headaches, and chest congestion that can make life a misery for several months each year.
COMBAT ALLERGIES NATURALLY
Allergies are the immune system’s reaction or hypersensitivity to an antigen, an “exaggerated or pathological immunological response” to a substance or physical state. Irritants can include pollen, dust, dust mites, animal fur or dander, or certain foods. Although there are plenty of over-the-counter allergy medications—decongestants, cough suppressants, sinus treatments, and antihistamines—most of them come with a long list of side effects: drowsiness, dizziness, palpitations, dry eyes, or severe dry mouth. Why not turn to some of the time-tested allergy remedies favored by the natural- medicine community? They can help you combat the effects of congestion and histamines—the substances triggered as allergic responses when dust or pollen come into contact with mucus membranes—with few or no side effects.
Brown bottles keep contents from oxidizing
Stinging Nettle Therapy: This long-valued herb, a common wildflower that grows worldwide, may actually be a natural antihistamine. In allergy studies, nearly 60 percent of the participants who took a daily dose of 300 mg of freeze-dried nettles found their symptoms cleared. Stinging nettles can be purchased at health-food stores or online.
The Quercetin Effect: This powerful antioxidant flavonoid, which provided antihistamine effects in lab studies, can be found in ginkgo biloba, Saint-John’s-wort, green tea, berries, apples, oranges, grapes, onions, buckwheat, and olive oil. Quercetin also prevents free radicals, supports heart health, and reduces pain and inflammation.
Bromelain Benefits: This enzyme, which is found in pineapples or in supplements, has the ability to reduce swelling or inflammation in the nasal passages and sinuses. It can reduce the symptoms of asthma, which can be allergy related, and it also promotes digestion, wound healing, and relief of body aches. Studies indicate that the optimum dose is 400–500 mg three times a day.
Stinging nettle therapy
The Vitamin C Option: Ascorbic acid is yet another natural antihistamine; it is found in many fruits and vegetables or can be taken as a supplement. It can help you treat a stuffy nose or scratchy throat with no side effects. The recommended dosage for blocking antihistamines is a minimum of 2 grams a day; or eat several oranges or grapefruit daily.
Quick Tips: Try sipping a cup of water with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and a squirt of lemon juice. Taking a tablespoon of raw honey daily will help you increase tolerance for the local pollen that is causing your reactions. Eat crushed garlic or garlic supplements. Inhale eucalyptus or frankincense oil.
DIY: The Neti Pot
This small “teapot” allows you to pour warm water up one nostril until it fills your nasal passages and drains out the other nostril. Although it sounds painful, the concept of flushing the sinuses is a painless part of traditional yoga. The practice can noticably improve chronic sinus sufferers, those with severe allergies, and people recovering from a cold. It’s best to use distilled water or boiled water warmed to a comfortable temperature.
Neti pot