By: Amanda Gawrysz, L.Ac, MSOM, Diplo OM
Are you turning to Zyrtec, Benadryl, or Claritin for relief? You may have seen your doctor who routinely prescribes pharmaceuticals from acetaminophens to antihistamines which may further aggravate the symptoms they treat. Allergies are due to the hypersensitivity of the immune system and symptoms can vary from person to person. Thankfully there are numerous natural remedies that can give us relief from these pesky seasonal symptoms.
Hippocrates once said “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Eating foods that have anti inflammatory properties is a good way to start relieving allergy symptoms. Garlic, lemons, bone broth, probiotic rich foods, and leafy green vegetables are foods that we should be incorporating into our daily diet.
Garlic acts as a natural antibiotic and boosts the immune system. Eating or juicing two cloves of raw garlic daily has more healing benefits than just eliminating allergy symptoms. Some prefer to take garlic supplements, but do not be fooled because they do not work as well as the real bulb.
Lemons are full of vitamin C and antioxidants giving them immune boosting properties as well. Drinking warm lemon water daily on an empty stomach before meals stimulates the liver, rids the body of toxins, and creates a more balanced alkaline internal environment.
Bone broth is rich in minerals and amino acids. Organic homemade chicken or beef bone broth is a great way to not only strengthen your immune system, but improve your gut health preventing the leaking of toxins through the intestinal walls into the rest of your blood stream.
Probiotic foods support immune health and can help repair damaged intestinal lining. My personal favorite probiotic rich food is kombucha, but sauerkraut, kefir, or raw cheese are other options to choose from. Always choose brands that do not add sugar or use white distilled vinegar in their products or make your own.
Raw local honey is another excellent choice. Raw honey contains antioxidants known as phenolic compounds that protect your body from cellular damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that are everywhere causing oxidative stress in the body contributing to the aging process. Raw honey also has antibacterial and antifungal properties and acts as an antiseptic with its naturally occurring hydrogen peroxide! Taking a tablespoon of local, raw honey every day will help your body build a tolerance to the local pollen that is running amuck on your sinuses. You can also add it to your tea, oatmeal, or smoothies. Never feed raw honey to babies less than a year old.
Besides making dietary changes there are even more natural remedies available to help like herbs, essential oils, and the neti pot.
Allerplex is a fantastic whole food supplement by Standard Process that helps support the healthy function of the lungs and sinuses. It contains vitamins A and C to help the body’s ability to handle seasonal and environmental challenges. It has other perks of supporting digestion and healthy liver and adrenal gland function as well as balancing the fluids within us. Visit us at the clinic and see if Allerplex would be a good fit for you.
Studies of eucalyptus essential oil have shown that it is amongst the most potent oils in killing house mites. There are numerous methods to get the benefits of this amazing oil like diffusing it throughout your home, adding 25 drops to each wash load of laundry, or my personal favorite steam inhalation. Steam inhalation is a simple way to move out all that mucus congesting your sinuses. Start by adding 1-2 cups of boiling water to a small bowl, then add anywhere from 5 to 10 drops of eucalyptus oil depending on your tolerance level, grab a towel and place it over your head and around the bowel and take slow deep breaths.
Frankincense oil has been found to not only have cancer-killing properties, but it also has seriously powerful effects when it comes to supporting the immune system. To implement it into your natural health regimen, simply rub frankincense behind your ears and on your chest several times per day or diffuse frankincense essential oil in your home and office for about three hours daily (1).
Herbs are an extremely effective and natural way to treat seasonal allergies. According to numerous sources the number one herb is the nettle (2). When taken internally, the nettle leaf works to reduce inflammation and congestion. It can be consumed as a tea or tincture and is considered safe to use daily throughout the duration of your symptoms (2). A simple tea made from nettle leaves is very effective; however, you can create your own herbal tea blend with herbs that work together to act as natural antihistamines, anti-inflammatories, and nourishing respiratory system builders. Here is a simple recipe (2):
4 parts nettle leaf
2 parts peppermint leaf
2 part alfalfa leaf
1 part astragalus root
1 part elder flowers
1 part licorice root
1 part yarrow
To use: Combine all ingredients in an airtight container and store. Infuse 1 teaspoon of loose leaf tea in 8 ounces of water for 10 minutes and drink up to 3 cups daily.
The Neti pot is another great sinus and allergy relief option. It is a type of nasal saline irrigation therapy that originated in Ayurvedic medical traditions hundreds of years ago. Neti pots can be purchased at your local health food store, nearest pharmacy, or online. David Rabago, MD, has conducted several studies on the subject and has proven clinically that using a neti pot is beneficial for preventing and treating several upper respiratory conditions, including chronic and acute sinusitis, the common cold and seasonal allergies (3). When using a Neti pot, make sure that the water is distilled and as sterile as possible. Tap water should not be used since it is full of chlorine and fluoride and can actually aggravate your sinuses even more.
Drinking a glass of water with a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and some fresh lemon juice is one of the best ways to wake up every morning. At the first sign of an allergy attack, put one teaspoon of ACV in your neti pot solution for a natural “sinus flush” (1).
So many natural, easy, and inexpensive options to choose from, right? Find what works best for you and stick with it. Spread your new knowledge to your family and friends and help those around you enjoy the beauty of spring.
Sources:
Dr. Axe Food is Medicine. https://draxe.com/8-natural-allergy-relief-remedies/.
Frugally Sustainable: Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies. (2017). https://frugallysustainable.com/natural-remedies-for-seasonal-allergies/.
Rabago. D, Guerard E, Bukstein, D. 2008 April. 107(2):69-75. Nasal irrigation for chronic sinus symptoms in patients with allergic rhinitis, asthma, and nasal polyposis: a hypothesis generating study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18593081.