30 Mar Natural Allergy Remedies
The sun has come out earlier in Vancouver this year, which presents a great opportunity to get outside and be active. However with the increased sunshine comes higher pollen counts and increased suffering for those with seasonal allergies.
Allergy season is here
More than 35 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, and the itchy, watery eyes, sneezing and runny nose can sometimes be unbearable. Fortunately, there are many natural approaches to seasonal allergies that are safe and effective, and can help get you back outside and adventuring in no time:
Spring cleaning – While you can’t control the pollen and dust outside, you can help minimize exposure in your home:
1. Wash your bedding at least once a week with hot water and consider unscented hypoallergenic detergents to remove a majority of allergens.
2. Leave shoes by the door instead of wearing them into the home to track allergens throughout the house.
3. Change your home air filters regularly or consider a HEPA filter in rooms you spend a lot of time in.
All of these things can help reduce your allergen burden at home, potentially improving your symptoms greatly without natural or pharmaceutical medication.
Neti pot – The neti pot is an excellent and gentle way to soothe an inflamed nose, and remove allergens that get stuck in the nasal passages and perpetuate a runny nose. They can be a little tricky to use at first, but the relief they provide can be immense.
Botanical medicine – There are many plants and nutrients that are helpful in managing seasonal allergy symptoms. Some of my favorites that function either as natural antihistamines or controllers of histamine release include:
Vitamin C
Quercetin
Nettles
Butterbur
Acupuncture – This ancient Chinese system of medicine can be a savior for people who suffer from seasonal allergies. Research has increasingly shown it to be effective at improving and sometimes resolving the symptoms of allergen sufferers. As an added bonus, because acupuncture innately treats the whole person, there can be added benefits such as improved sleep or reduced anxiety.
These are just a few ways to improve your seasonal allergy symptoms naturally. As always, for a more thorough evaluation and individualized recommendations, contact your doctor. Spring forward into a season of allergen relief, and enjoy all the activities our warmer seasons bring us.