Stop the sneezing without resorting to over-the-counter drugs. Natural remedies may effectively reduce your allergy symptoms. Keep these on hand for when pollen counts rise to fight nature with natural treatments.
1. Acupuncture
Acupuncture has some small trials showing its efficacy in treating allergy symptoms. Studies have shown when compared to a placebo, patients who received acupuncture showed improvements in nasal and eye allergy symptoms. Acupuncture has minimal safety concerns, so there's no reason to not consider it as a natural alternative to medications.
2. Saline Rinse
Saline (salt water) rinses have scientific evidence to back them up as a possible control for seasonal allergies. In 2012, researchers conducted a review of 10 trials. The results concluded that irrigating the nasal passages with salt water could help alleviate allergy symptoms if used regularly. If distilled water is used, the side effects are minimal. If you want to incorporate a saline rinse into your allergy-fighting regime, never use tap water and always clean out your neti pot each time you use it. This will prevent secondary infections.
3. Butterbur
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) comes from a northern hemisphere shrub. Preparations of this herb include commercially prepared supplements and raw leaves. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine advises against using unprocessed butterbur as it contains alkaloids that could damage the liver. Over-the-counter products remove these alkaloids and are generally safe, though may cause allergic reactions in those with ragweed or flower allergies.
A couple of studies do support butterbur for allergy use. In a 2003 study, those with eye allergies found equal relief from butterbur as from oral antihistamines. Researchers in 2007, looked at six studies comparing butterbur to a placebo for allergies, and found butterbur outperformed the sugar pill for hay fever relief. Butterbur has been proven safe for most people if commercial products are taken for up to 16 weeks.
4. Watch Your Diet
Did you know fruits could cause oral allergic reactions due to similar proteins found in the tree or weed pollen that makes you sneeze? According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology, people with certain pollen allergies should avoid eating particular fruits and vegetables, especially during allergy season. This condition is called oral allergy syndrome, and it differs from standard food allergies, which can result in anaphylaxis. Most people who react to fruits from their pollen have itchiness and minor swelling around the face or mouth.
5. Avoidance of Allergens
Relieving your allergy symptoms starts with avoiding the substance making you sneeze in the first place. Take a shower as soon as you come home to rid your body and hair of pollen and change clothes. Keep your shoes in the mudroom, so you don't track pollen throughout the house. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) gives several more recommendations to avoid bringing allergens inside your home. Regularly vacuum your carpets and upholstered furniture. Use HEPA filters in both your vacuum cleaner and air purifier for your home, and never leave your windows open during allergy season.
You can get through allergy season naturally by trying these drug-free remedies for hay fever.
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