10 Natural Remedies To Cure Allergies

While it serves to eat antihistamines in springtime—or any other time when airborne allergies or hay fever become a problem—sometimes an individual cannot ingest enough antihistamines to ease their symptoms. It becomes time to treat the symptoms continually on a temporary basis, or until the cause of the allergies diminishes. Assuming these causes stay outdoors, we can look at more natural allergy remedies. Let’s examine the top ten best natural remedies to cure allergies:

Homemade Saline Water

Steam is among the number one ways to clear nasal passages. The body responds to infectious pathogens by releasing chemicals called histamine, which makes white blood cells receptive to the pathogens. Then, the white blood cells destroy the pathogens. In the meantime, however, your nasal passages overproduce mucus like a net to keep any more pathogens from entering your body. This, combined with sneezing, is a bodily defense against allergy-inducing pathogens. If you cannot access antihistamines to reverse the histamine reaction process, then you must keep clearing your nasal passages while you wait for the allergy source to subside.

Mix a pinch of salt and baking soda into two cups of warm water. Then, use a cup with a spout, or some other funnel or nasal bulb, to slowly pour the water into one nostril. Let the water drain out the other nostril or into your mouth; do not let the water go down your throat. Afterwards, blow your nose to further clear your nasal passages.

A once or twice-daily saline regimen can go a long way toward relieving sneezing, coughing, and sinus-blockage allergy symptoms.

Nettle Leaves

Nettle leaves, commonly brewed in teas, are a natural antihistamine. They contain a chemical that prevents the body from producing histamine in response to outside pathogens. Dry nettle leaves to brew in warm water and add about a pinch to other tea mixtures.

Additionally, tea steam penetrates the complex cavity of sinus passages if breathed in. These can loosen the trapped mucus and clear the sinus passages for breathing. After brewing a cup of tea, hold the cup close to the face and slowly inhale the steam. The warmth on the inside and outside of the face will relax muscles and aide in allergy relief.

Apple Cider Vinegar

If you can settle with the flavor, unrefined apple cider vinegar has known antihistamine properties, along with a host of other health benefits. Apple cider vinegar also boosts metabolism, regulates blood pressure, and clarifies skin over time. Most recommend drinking a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a glass of water or apple juice. Once you get used to the flavor, a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in shot-form almost works. Then, drink a full glass of water. The antihistamine compounds will both block active histamine and potentially bolster your immune system to combat future allergens on its own.

Garlic

Garlic, as with any ingredient with a small kick, clears nasal congestion. Garlic and its cousins, like several kinds of onion, contain an antioxidant called quercetin. Some studies show that quercetin will slow histamine production. Either way, its aroma tends to clear nasal passages and facilitate moisture.

Make sure you are not allergic to garlic or onions before consuming garlic.

Local Honey

Scientists are back and forth about local honey’s plausibility, but users claim that acquainting the body to pathogens will ease the body’s response to future pathogens. Eat a tablespoon or two a day of locally grown honey to stave off responses to the air born plant pathogens where you live.

Users may also find that honey, a natural disinfectant, may be neutralizing the pathogens before the body can release histamines. Add honey to nettle tea as a doubly-packed allergy remedy.

Citrus

Citrus, especially orange, lemon, or grapefruit, carries small doses of quercetin, the same antioxidant found in equally-fragrant garlic. Additionally, citrus has a cutting aroma and flavor; the scent “shock” will stimulate the flow of mucus and help clear nasal passages, which will aide in allergy-induced sneezing fits. Lemon or orange peel added to tea will provoke the benefits of the scent, give your drink extra vitamins A and C, and infuse the steam with those missing nutrients.

Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus is most famously used to calm chest cold irritation and help its users breathe. The oil performs similar feats when fighting allergy symptoms. The oil is a natural anti-inflammatory and can calm irritated, swollen sinus passages. The oil serves additionally as a bacterial neutralizer and can help clear bacteria that triggers allergy attacks. Add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a simmering, steaming pot of water and thoroughly inhale. If you don’t like the scent of eucalyptus, try tea tree oil for a similar effect.

Pineapple

Pineapple deserves a category apart from citrus because it contains one enzyme the others lack: bromelain. While the potent properties of pineapple will surely open nasal passages and loosen mucus to clear air passageways, bromelain reduces sinus inflammation at the source and slows the production of mucus temporarily.

Flavonoids

Flavonoids, an edible antihistamine like quercetin, can be found as a pigment booster in many fruits and vegetables. Antihistamines slow or block the production of histamines in response to allergens. Remember, the body produces histamines as an unnecessary reaction in those that are allergic to air born pathogens. Stopping these histamines from reaching white blood cells will curb allergy attacks. Foods with flavonoids include broccoli, legumes, lettuce, and dark berries.

Oily Fish

By eating oily fish, or consuming fish oil, you ingest omega-3 fatty acids. Some studies show that omega-3 fatty acids reduce inflammation and irritation and thus curb allergy symptoms. Fish pairs well with many of the aforementioned fruits and vegetables; fish oil capsules also only need ingesting once a day. If you don’t like fish, consider eating almonds and walnuts for a small portion of omega-3’s.

Natural allergy remedies can reduce or eliminate the need for medication. With experimentation, each person should be able to find a system that works best to combat mild to moderate allergies. If you believe you possess a food or contact allergy, however, consult a doctor or specialist for additional treatment options.