Seasonal allergies are never fun. A stuffy nose, itchy eyes and coughing can make you miserable. Ragweed pollen is one of the most common triggers of seasonal allergies during the Fall. If you want to significantly reduce the amount of pollen floating in the air, consider some of these helpful tips:
• Keep your windows and doors closed at home. Use an air humidifier. It’s an effective way to remove pollen, dust and other allergens • After playing outside or working outdoors, take a shower and wash your hair so that you get rid of any pollen on your hair and body • At home, clean your floor, vacuum carpets and wipe counter tops regularly to control indoor allergens • When driving, close your car windows and air vents. Using the AC in your car can cut the amount of pollen you breathe by as much as 30% (according to Myngoc Nguyen, MD, chief of allergy at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Northern California)
Below are our TOP 5 natural remedies during allergy season:
#1 – Vitamin C Vitamin C prevents the formation of histamine. It is also an antioxidant and antitoxin. The best source of vitamin C comes from fruits, i.e., orange, kiwi, lemon, guava, cantaloupe, papaya, grapefruit AND vegetables, i.e., broccoli, bell peppers, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts.
During allergy season, Martha Howard, M.D., an integrative medicine physician at the Wellness Associates of Chicago, tells her patients to take 1,000 to 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C every day.
#2 – Essential Oils We love eucalyptus and peppermint essential oils for natural allergy relief. Dilute 1-3 drops of peppermint essential oil in 1 tablespoon of carrier oil. Apply to the sinuses and bottoms of the feet.
Eucalyptus oil is an anti-inflammatory and helps relieve congestion. We suggest diffusing it in a high-quality diffuser. Fill the diffuser with water, then add 5 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. The cooling sensation of eucalyptus helps treat seasonal allergies. It also helps you sleep better.
#3 – Spices and Seasoning Many unpleasant allergy symptoms come from inflammatory issues like swelling and irritation. Try using some ginger, turmeric or garlic.
Ginger is a great natural remedy as it can help reduce swelling and irritation in the nasal passages, eyes, and throat. To make 1 cup of ginger tea, grate 1 teaspoon of unpeeled ginger root. Add the grated ginger into a cup of boiling water and allow it to steep for 5 minutes. Let the tea cool before drinking.
Turmeric, a popular spice, has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and analgesic properties. It helps combat seasonal allergies. Add turmeric to one of your dinner recipes.
Garlic is an antihistamine super food which also helps relieve allergy symptoms. It is high in quercetin, an antioxidant that prevents cells from releasing histamine. We love adding garlic to baked chicken recipes. We also use it when sautéing any type of meat. If you don’t like garlic, try a quercetin supplement.
#4 – Omega 3 Fatty Acids When you suffer from seasonal allergies, increase your intake of Omega-3 fatty acids. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), the components of essential fatty acids, are natural anti-inflammatory agents. Some food high in Omega 3s include sardines, salmon, flax seeds and walnuts.
If you prefer, you can also take Omega-3 supplements. We recommend 2,000 to 6,000 mg daily with meals (two or three capsules twice daily).
#5 – Drink Plenty of Water Drinking water will not prevent an allergic reaction, however, keeping yourself hydrated will help maintain normal histamine activity. It also helps thin out the mucus in your chest, nose and throat.
If you have a history of allergy symptoms, don’t forget to consult with your doctor about other ways he or she can help you minimize the impact of allergy season.
*The information in this article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any illness. This is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
The Wellness Institute is a well-being company based in Valencia, CA. We provide strategic consultation to businesses and organizations. Our customized wellness solutions improve employee well-being & drive better business outcomes. Schedule a consultation TODAY by contacting us at (661) 755-7682 or via email: info@the-wellness-institute.com
Edna Dimataga-Fernandez founded The Wellness Institute in 2013. The company utilizes a holistic model of wellness consulting focusing on the 6 dimensions of organizational well-being: physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual & financial health. The Wellness Institute provides holistic health assessments, corporate well-being workshops & wellness consultations with holistic health practitioners. Wellness-Spring, the company’s holistic health store, sells organic & non-toxic health & beauty products. A portion of the proceeds is donated back to causes that support women, children, health, wellness & education. She has worked & consulted for companies in the insurance & financial services industry, the medical & behavioral health field and the non-profit sector. Edna holds a B.A. in Economics from UCLA and an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management. She is a Past President (2010-11) of the National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors - Los Angeles Chapter and is an approved Continuing Education Provider for the California Department of Insurance.