Natural Remedies for Allergies

Those that suffer from allergies usually have to rely on numerous allergy alleviating drugs for relief. Despite their dependency on generic drugs, often those drugs provide mixed results. For instance, a person suffering from allergies may take a drug that targets and provides relief from sneezing and itching, but does little to nothing to treat congestion.
Taking a holistic approach to allergy alleviation encompasses the use of natural remedies to obtain allergy relief. Natural remedies often have fewer side effects and can combat a wider variety of allergens.

Natural Allergy Remedies

Instead of attempting to treat the symptoms caused by the allergen’s attack on the body, like generic medications, many natural remedies are designed to prevent a reaction before it occurs.

Quercetin

This natural planet derived compound contributes to the stabilisation of mast cells and prevents them from releasing histamine. Quercetin is a natural antioxidant and helps to rid the body of free radicals that cause cell damage, and promote cancer. Citrus fruits, onions, parsley, tea, tomatoes, broccoli, lettuce, apples and wine are foods with a naturally high quercetin content. However, those with allergies will need to use supplements to build up enough quercetin in their system to prevent allergen attacks.
The recommended quercetin dosage is 1,000 milligrams daily, taken between meals. It is advised that treatment with quercetin is started six weeks before allergy season and throughout. Those with liver disease and complications should abstain from using quercetin; consult your doctor before taking quercetin supplements, especially if you are pregnant or nursing.

Stinging Nettle

This natural substance behave similarly to an antihistamine medication, without the unfavourable side effects like dry mouth and drowsiness. Nettle inhibits the body’s ability to produce histamine; 300 milligrams daily will offer relief for most.

Sublingual Immunotherapy

This treatment is a gentle homeopathic approach. It acclimatises the body to pollen and other allergens to build up its resistance to them. Drops of a very small dose of the allergen is placed under the sufferer’s tongue for two minutes; they then swallow it. The therapy is daily and begins before peak pollen season, usually, but can also be used as year round treatment.

Brine

To flush your sinuses, and rinse away allergens with salt water, mix ½ teaspoon of non-iodised table salt into a cup of lukewarm water and pour it into a neti pot; cupped hands can be used. Lean over sink and tilt head to the side slightly, use half of the solution to flush one nostril, then use the remainder to flush the opposite side.

Lifestyle changes

A few lifestyle changes can also keep allergy related symptoms under control.

• Don’t use window fans to cool rooms; they can pull pollen indoors.
• Drive with windows up and use AC if necessary to avoid allergens.
• Limit outdoor exposure when ragweed pollen counts are high–that is, during mid-August until the first frost.