For Allergies:
NETI POT AND SALINE RINSE
Personally, I haven’t tried the Neti pot because I’m just scared about pouring things into my nose, but I do have friends who adhere to it, and I’ve used saline nasal spray before (if you’ve used one, let me know down in the comments). The basic principle behind this is that you use Neti pot filled with sterile saline solution to flush the sinuses of allergens and irritations.Surprisingly, I’ve heard that this is recommended by conventional and alternative doctors, and it seems that it doesn’t have any negative effects.
TO USE: Either use a pre-made saline rinse or make your own by dissolving 1 teaspoon of himalayan or sea salt in a quart of boiled distilled watrer. Cool completely and put it inside the Neti Pot. Pour through one nostril and let it drain out the other.
QUERCETIN
Quercetin is a natural bioflavonoid that’sa said to help stabilize mast cells to help keep them from realiing histamine. It’s also a potent antioxidant that is said to help lower inflammation. It’s best used as a long term remedy and a lot of people start taking it about 4-6 weeks before allergy season to help prevent the symptoms. Just like with any other herb, you should always check with your doctor before you use it, especially if you have problems in your liver, or if you’re pregnant, or are on hormonal contraceptoves.
TO USE: Though quercetin is naturally found in foods like broccoli and citrus, it’s very difficult to get the amount needed to help relieve allergies from food alone. A supplemental dose can be useful for preventing allergies or helping with acute symptoms. It’s not recommended to use during pregnancy or nursing though some practitioners feel it’s safe after the first trimester and while nursing.
NETTLE LEAF
Nettle leaf is just another natural antihistamine that can be very effective as it can naturally block the body’s ability to produce its own histamine. It grows in so many places and can be made into either a tincture or tea, but for allergy relief, capsules made from dried nettle leaves are the easiest and most effective option.
Nettle leaf can also be used in mixture with other herbs to make a soothing herbal tea for allergy relief. It’s often fused with peppermint leaf and sometimes red raspberry leaf to make a refreshing allergy relief tea.
WHAT I DO: I sometimes include nettle homemade herbal tea during the allergy season and use capsules for acure relief of allergy symptoms.
PROBIOTICS
Allergies are the result of an imbalance in the immune system that can cause the body to react too strongly to a stimuli. New research links the presence of beneficial bacteria in the gut with a lowered incidence of allergies.Evidence is even emerging that a mother’s gut bacteria during pregnancy and nursing can greatly impact a child’s likelihood of getting allergies all throughout life. While we can’t do much about our mother’s diets while they’re pregnant, balancing gut bacteria now and consuming enough beneficial bacteria can have a positive effect on allergies now.
WHAT I DO: I make sure to consume a varied diet which includes fermented foods and drinks such as kombucha or kefir, which can help boost gut bacteria. You can also take a high quality probiotic capsule.
LOCAL HONEY
There’s not much scientific evidence to back this one up, however, there seems to be a lot of anecdotal evidence from people who have tried it. The theory behind it is that consuming local honey from where you live will help your body adapt to the allergens in the environment there. This is supposed to work just like a natural allergy “shot” and doesn’t seem to have a downside to it.
WHAT I DO: Consume a teaspoon or more of raw, unprocessed local honey from as close to where you actually live as much as possible. Do this one or more times daily to help relieve symptoms . It’s often suggested to start this a month or so before allergy season.
