7 Natural Remedies to Help You During Allergy Season
Allergy season can be a tough time for certain individuals especially if you live in the Northeast. Millions of Americans suffer with environmental allergies and the biggest culprit is pollen. Grass, weeds and trees can also be triggers as tiny grains are released into the air to fertilize other plants. The immune system overreacts to these (otherwise harmless) substances by releasing a substance called histamine, causing symptoms such as itchy eyes, sinus congestion, a runny nose, sneezing, wheezing and inflammation in the skin.
People who suffer with allergies know that these symptoms can be very bothersome and so they try different ways to limit these symptoms. Many will try to limit their time outdoors especially on windy days when the pollen grains tend to travel the most. Others will try over-the-counter medications such as nasal decongestants or anti-histamines that work symptomatically to decrease allergy symptoms.
For those that may be interested in a more natural approach to improving allergy symptoms, below are 7 natural remedies that can be easily added into your daily routine.
1) Quercitin – an antioxidant flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables which serves to stabilize mast cells to lower the histamine response and decrease inflammation.
2) Green tea extract – the high flavonoid content helps to balance the immune system. Contains one of the top antioxidants, epigallocetechin (EGCG), which decreases the histamine response to decrease watery and itchy eyes and nasal discharge.
3) Stinging nettle leaf (urtica urens) – herb that is used to treat allergies due to its mild antihistamine properties.
4) Probiotics – good bacteria to improve gastrointestinal health and immune function.
5) Vitamin C – well known antioxidant for it's immune enhancing properties, it helps reduce hayfever and asthma symptoms.
6) Black currant (ribes nigrum) – herbal solution to strengthen the adrenal glands and stabilize the mast cells.
7) Allergiplex – homeopathic formulation by Unda laboratories for any allergen related illness that can be either seasonal or situational.
From a naturopathic perspective there is always a reason why the body and immune system is overreacting to these substances and so the goal is to find out why. An in-depth look at diet, nutrition, stress levels, digestive and gut health, liver detoxification and adrenal health can reveal why the immune system is slightly out of balance. These areas will be investigated by your naturopathic practitioner to find the cause of why you have allergy symptoms every year.
* The products mentioned above are available online by clicking here. Before starting any new supplements, it is advised to consult with a healthcare professional as the dosage will depend on the person's age, weight, etc.
