Do you wish you could enjoy the advent of spring, but find that you can’t because of your watering eyes and runny nose? Many of us survive through allergy season heavily dosed up on antihistamines or even steroids, which is obviously not an ideal state to be in. Instead, natural or traditional remedies may be able to ease or eliminate your allergy symptoms. Some of these natural allergy treatment options available to you include:
Herbal Remedies
Herbal remedies may be available in the form of supplements, drops or tea, and have traditionally been used for centuries to manage allergy symptoms. The best part is that herbal remedies don’t necessarily have to be exotic and obscure …show more content…
However, large amounts of liquorice are not recommended, so do your research before consuming the root.
Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners are well-versed in concocting herbal remedies, so consult your GP or visit a reputable acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine practitioner for a herbal blend suited to your needs.
Use Essential Oils
Essential oils have been known to have decongesting properties, with eucalyptus being particularly effective for opening your sinuses and allowing you to breathe easier. A humidifier filled with eucalyptus vapour is a great way of spreading the oils through the air. You can also try spraying eucalyptus spray throughout your home, which works to eliminate any allergens in the air that could be irritating your airways.
Examine Your Diet
The connection between the foods we eat and our health is one that is often overlooked, but absolutely imperative when it comes to our overall wellbeing. Spicy food is known to make your nose run, which is effective in clearing your nasal passages. Incorporate ginger, wasabi, horseradish, onion, garlic and chilli powder to unblock your nose and …show more content…
Try buying a local honey, as this means the bees collected the pollen from the exact plants that you are allergic to, which “immunises” you against the right kind of pollen.
While some foods can protect you from allergy symptoms, others can contribute to your congestion. Dairy products are especially notorious for causing the blood vessels in your nose to swell, contributing to increased congestion. Those who experience seasonal allergies due to pollen should avoid melons, bananas, cucumbers, chamomile and sunflower seeds, which all exacerbate your symptoms.
One way to begin to understand what foods make you sniffle and mope and which ones help you feel better is to keep a food diary. Be aware of what foods are setting off your allergies, and discuss this with your doctor or naturopath.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture has been used as a form of allergy treatment for centuries, and is now being researched extensively. A recent study published in the American Journal of Rhinology and Allergy found that acupuncture eased sinus symptoms, even being as effective as some allergy medications. Furthermore, research published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that allergy sufferers who were randomly assigned to undergo 12 acupuncture sessions experienced greater relief from symptoms and used less antihistamine medication than those who got a placebo