Combat Allergies with Natural Remedies

When I was a kid, no one had allergies.  We had "spring colds" that came every year, right around the same time. 

When people who made it through the winter without a sniffle got sick as the weather warmed and the trees budded, we shrugged it off as one of life's little ironies, or assumed they went out dressed too lightly for the changeable weather.

Today, it seems that everyone has allergies. I'm not sure how much of that is due to changes in the environment and in people's immune systems, and how much of it comes down to calling a spade a spade. 

Whatever the case, there are several things we can do to minimize spring allergies.

First, boost your immune system.  Get enough sleep, minimize stress when possible, stop eating junk -- all the things we should be doing anyway. 

Add foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids to your diet, such as salmon, walnuts, eggs, and flaxseed oil.

Eat more fruits and veggies. Apples, citrus, tomatoes, broccoli, and lettuce are high in Quercetin, which is a natural antihistamine, anti-oxidant, and anti-inflammatory. 

Tea and wine also contain Quercetin. Some people take Quercitin supplements, but as with any herbal medication, it's a good idea to check with your doctor first.  

Other herbal remedies include stinging nettle, which inhibits the production of histamines.  Licorice (the herb, not the sticks of chewy black candy)  enhances cortisol, a hormone that decreases inflamation. Angelica tea helps block the production of certain antibodies and can reduce allergic reactions. Again, check with a doctor before taking any medication, including things you can grow in your back yard.

Consider taking Vitamin C, which act as an anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory.

Add some spice to your life with chili peppers, horseradish, or hot mustard. These act as a temporary decongestant.

Salt water can clean and sooth the nasal passages.  Breathing steam, cleaning the sinuses with a neti pot, even using a saline nasal spray can be helpful. 

Eating local honey is an  interesting homeopathic remedy, based on the idea of building up an immunity to local flora. I don't know of any research other than anecdotal evidence to support it and, at best, it would be a long-term adjustment, not a quick-fix remedy.  Still, I'm entirely willing to make a batch of hot biscuits and give it a try.