Seasonal Allergy Remedies
Its that time of year and the winter ended early and guess what? We are getting hit with allergy season a month earlier then usual for most of the country. Every year it’s the same story; itchy eyes, runny nose like a faucet, head aches and constant sneezing. We stock up on Claritin and a few other allergy medications and hope for the best and pray they don’t turn into a sinus infection. So I decided to put together a list of natural remedies and things we can do to help combat Seasonal Allergies so we aren’t relying on medications that have steroids in them or have side effects that make it hard to live your life.
Clean your house! But wear a mask while you are doing it. Vacuum, dust and clean your floors and surfaces more frequently then usual. Especially with our cooler sunnier days we like to keep the windows open and more dust and allergens come into the home. Clean your ceiling fans and vacuum any vents in the house.
Change all your air and heating filters in the house. Rule of thumb is every quarter change or remove and vacuum your filters. It saves on energy cost when you do this as well. A full filter has to work harder to move air and cost you more money. Dont forget to wear a mask to do this task as well.
Nettle Leaf tea is a great way to relieve inflammation caused by a seasonal allergy response. Traditional Medicinals is a great trust worthy brand. I went through a herbal certification course with the brands creator. She wouldn't steer me or you wrong with her herbal knowledge and quality of product. Click here to check out this tea and other teas.
Omega-3s are not only good for your skin, brain and heart but help a great deal with seasonal allergies. I take a double dose in the spring to give me extra anti-inflammatory effects. Source Health Line
Nordic Naturals is one of my favorite brands for Omegas and they even have sourced and created a Vegan, Vegetarian, Plant based version made from Sea Algae.
Cool mist humidifiers can be life changing for many people especially people that live in higher elevation and desert climates. The dryness with the pollen can just be a short trip to a sinus infection. I own a couple of the Canopy Humidifiers and they work great. Even my cats benefit from the mist.
I have been trying this throat spray for the immune boosting effects but it has made such difference with my Seasonal Allergies when I am at work where I cant control my environment. Wearing mask helps so mush as well but a few sprays in my mouth gives me a boost and calms down the itchiness in the throat. You can listen to an interview on the Skinny Confidential podcast with the creator of this product. Megan DiVencenzo’s story is compelling and worth a listen. Click here to listen. Check out Beekeepers Naturals here.
Flushing out your sinuses with a Neti Pot or nasal washes may help break up thick mucus and ease swelling. Follow directions and keep your equipment clean. Mix 3 teaspoons of iodide-free salt with 1 teaspoon of baking soda. You can store this in a clean, airtight container. Add 1 teaspoon of the mixture to 8 ounces (1 cup) of lukewarm distilled or boiled water that has been cooled. Some people choose to use bottled water instead. Source WebMd Heath Line has a nice instructional video on how to use a Neti Pot. Click here to watch and read up.
Leave your shoes by the door. Wearing shoes in the house not only brings dirt and allergens, but bacteria and the outside worlds filth into your home.
Wash your hair more often in the spring. Your hair traps pollen and allergens and then transfer that to your pillow case. Make sure to shower before you go to bed as well. Your body carries allergens on your skin that can make for a stuffy sneezy nights rest.
Wash your sheets weekly especially if you sleep with a open window or just in general year around. Wash your pillows quarterly. Yes, you can put two pillows in any standard washer and set the spin cycle to the bulky setting. Then put in the dryer to dry threw. Your sheets and especially pillows harbor bacteria, duct and mold. A quick fix is to change your pillow cases nightly especially if you don’t want to wash your hair daily to keep the effects of seasonal allergies at bay.
Groom your pets more often. One, its shedding season so your pets need daily brushing to make them more comfortable for the summer, but they also just like us can carry pollen and dust in their hair into your home. They will love the extra attention and be happier in the long run. Tip: Wear a mask while you are grooming them and do it out side and after brushing use a damp towel and rub them down to grab the access hair and dust that gets brought to the surface from brushing.
Have a great Wellness Wednesday and hopefully a better allergy season from last year with these tips!
Shara