7 natural ways to help with seasonal allergies

Musings with Melinda

I seem to have a little trouble at this time of year, every year. I am most thankful for the neti pot, as it’s the best thing since sliced bread in my option. I will use the neti pot as maintenance about once a month. But the second I feel like something sinus or allergy is going on, I start using the neti pot, once a day for about 3 days. I haven’t had a sinus infection in a few years now, I feel very confident I can keep them away now!

Anti-inflammatory Diet

First and foremost, start eating an anti-inflammatory diet to reduce your risk for allergies and many other health problems. Caring for your body with nutrient-dense foods gives your immune system the ability to repair itself, bringing it back into balance so it can fight off common allergies in your environment. Here are some of the best foods and ingredients to incorporate into your diet to help you beat allergies:

Garlic — Garlic is a natural antibiotic that helps ward off infections, viruses and even allergies.

Lemons — As most of us know an alkaline body means better balance and immune function. Lemons and limes are excellent immune boosting little fruits and are used for various afflictions, including allergies.

Local Raw Honey

Considering how good it tastes, having some raw honey every day to help control seasonal allergies may sound too easy to actually work well, but don’t discount this ancient remedy. 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.

Apple Cider Vinegar For many years I have recommend apple cider vinegar, and now you can find it almost everywhere. Drinking a glass of water with a teaspoon of ACV 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.”

Quercetin

Quercetin is naturally found in plant foods such as cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli or cauliflower), onions/shallots, green tea and citrus

fruits. Quercetin is a bioflavonoid that stabilizes the release of histamines and helps to naturally control allergy symptoms. Quercetin can be purchased as a supplement.

Neti Pot

Neti pots are a natural remedy for allergies and many respiratory conditions because they help to clear the sinuses and remove congestion. Use of neti pots has been shown to help improve quality of life in sufferers of respiratory illnesses and cause little to no side effects. Clearing the nasal passages of allergens and irritants. Thankfully, this “alternative” approach to preventing congestion and allergies has now become more mainstream. When you use a neti pot, make sure that the water is distilled and as sterile as possible.

Essential Oils - Eucalyptus and Frankinsense

Essential oils for allergies work by reducing inflammation and improving detoxification of harmful bacteria, parasites, microorganisms and toxins that can trigger an attack. You can use eucalyptus oil for seasonal allergy relief in a variety of ways:

You can put several drops of eucalyptus oil into your neti pot, inhale it via a diffuser, or use it in your laundry detergent as an antimicrobial agent.

For an eco-friendly, biodegradable addition to your natural detergents, add 25 drops of eucalyptus oil to each load of wash during allergy season, especially if you or the kids are running around outside.

If your allergy symptoms are going strong, mix eucalyptus oil with coconut oil and rub it on your chest and behind your ears and diffuse it in the air during the day and while sleeping.

Another powerful essential oil for managing allergies is frankincense oil.

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.

Probiotics

It’s now becoming common knowledge that a strong immune system starts with a healthy gut. More than 80 percent of your immune function is stored in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract! It should be no wonder that research keeps surfacing that links probiotic supplement use to reduce the risk of allergies.

Melinda Luke Certified Health Coach 720-507-7534 or mail@melindaluke.com Want a product or service review, call me! See more articles on the Aging Gracefully Facebook page!