By Sandra Mills
Guest Writer for Wake Up World
Is spring and summer your friend or foe? Are you one of tens of millions of people that loathe this time of year? It is of no fault of your own; springtime and summertime, in all its splendor, only brings misery to those who suffer with the harsh reality of allergies.
Spring is almost here [southern hemisphere] which is a splendid time of year and is warmly welcomed by most. It’s a time of year when flowers are blooming, trees bud, and grass grows, birds chirp and humming birds feed. But with all that makes the season so appealing, it also causes havoc to those with seasonal allergies.
Or perhaps you’re allergic to ragweed and dread the end of summer/beginning of fall? You relish the thought of the first freeze, in fact, you can’t wait for it to happen?
No matter what time of year you suffer from seasonal allergies, read on. Learn to enjoy each and every season with the help of some natural remedies your pharmacy likely hasn’t told you about.
Those of you who suffer from seasonal allergies need not be reminded what they are, but for those of you who do not…
Symptoms may vary among individuals and can range from mild to severe depending upon the pollen count. The most common symptoms arising from allergies include sniffling, stuffy nose, and drainage, sneezing, itchy eyes, and itchy throat, red and watery eyes.
Here are 6 natural remedies you may not have tried…
1. Nasal Flushing:
Nasal flushing is a mild and effective method to treat allergies. There are a number of solutions you can use:
- Saline solution (non-medicated) nasal spray. It can either be store bought or homemade. If you’re using a homemade solution, make sure to make a fresh batch every time. To make it, use eight (8) ounces of distilled water, ¼ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon of baking soda. Make sure the salt and the baking soda are completely dissolved before use.
- Saline, goldenseal (aka Yellow root, Orange root, Puccoon, Ground raspberry, Wild curcuma) and freeze-dried nettles nasal spray tonic. The saline helps with the inflammation, the goldenseal has antibacterial properties, and the freeze-dried nettles reduces the amount of histamines in the bodies. Please note that nettles should not be taken when pregnant!
- Neti pot is an ancient method that’s been used in India for thousands of years. The neti pot, which looks much like an Aladdin’s lamp, should be used twice daily during allergy season. At night the sufferer sleeps sounder with less congestion; it also helps to alleviate snoring. You can use any of the above solutions. To use the pot, cock your head and place the spout into one nostril, this allows the solution to drain from the other nostril. Cock the head in the other direction for the other nostril.
2. Butterbur:
A great herb for treating seasonal allergies, this is a common European herb. It acts as an antihistamine and is non-drowsy. Note: The herb is in the ragweed family. Caution should be taken if you are allergic to ragweed, for it may worsen symptoms.
3. Quercetin and grape seed extract:
This is a flavonoid compound that, when taken with vitamin C, helps relieve the allergic signs and symptoms of hay fever. Quercetin is an antihistamine, which prevents the release of histamines (the culprit of symptoms).
4. Eliminate certain foods:
If you’re allergic to ragweed and other weed pollens, do your best to avoid eating these foods and herbs: bananas, melons, cucumbers, sunflower seeds, chamomile and other herbs containing Echinacea. It is believed these foods and herbs make symptoms worse!
5. Look in the kitchen:
Eat spicy foods! Spicy foods help to thin mucus secretion and clear nasal passages. Use spices like cayenne pepper, hot ginger, and fenugreek… and even onion and garlic help.
6. Wear a dust filter mask:
When the pollen count is high you can always wear a paper dust-filter mask when outdoors. Hey, if it gets you out of the house.
If you are one of the millions unfortunate to suffer with seasonal allergies and you’ve tried the traditional Western method, yet nothing seems to work, it may be time to consider these or other ways to relieve allergies.
Remember to consult with your doctor and/or herbalist before taking these herbs when pregnant, or for any contraindications to other medicines.
Sources for this article include:
http://www.webmd.com/allergies/features/natural-allergy-relief
http://altmedicine.about.com/cs/herbsvitaminsek/a/Goldenseal.htm
http://www.motherearthnews.com/natural-health/six-natural-allergy-remedies.aspx#axzz2KhYN5Wad
About the author:
Sandra Mills is a freelance writer and self-proclaimed gadget geek. She enjoys covering topics in the fields of medical technology, health and education. Lately, Sandra Mills has been actively writing about alternative health tips as well as healthcare training programs like; medical assisting and other college medical programs. You can follow her on Google+
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