Natural Ways to Get Rid of Allergy Symptoms at Home

Allergies are our body’s reaction to an antigen. They are due to hypersensitivity of the immune system. Allergies can be seasonal or lifelong (perennial ). There could be food allergies or others. They could be due to pollens, animal fur, dust, medicines, and foods.

Allergies symptoms include coughing,  itchy watery eyes, sneezing, headaches, congestion , skin rashes and difficulty in breathing etc. Other symptoms could be nausea, vomiting , swelling of tongue, diarrhea, dizziness and abdominal cramps.

The easy ways to get rid of allergy symptoms at home are listed below:

A nasal rinse

• A nasal rinse can clean mucus from the nose and easy allergy symptoms to some extent.
• It takes out any bacteria in the nose.
• One can mix salt with baking soda in warm water and rinse the nose with it.
• Saline sprays can also be used. One can use hydrogen peroxide in nasal sprays
• Inhaling steam ease a stuffy nose and helps in breathing better. One can take hot water shower also.

Honey

• Honey is great in relieving allergies. One can take a spoon of honey everyday to get rid of irritating effects of pollens as it helps in building up immunity to local pollen.
• Honey can also be taken with cinnamon in oatmeals or smoothies. Honey contains enzymes that support our immune system.

Eucalyptus oil

• Eucalyptus oil helps in opening the sinuses and nasal passages. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties and helps in breathing better due to its menthol like sensation. One can put it in a bowl of hot water to inhale the steam or during a hot water shower.

Foods

• Foods like chili, pepper, garlic, have decongestant effect.
• These foods can open up nasal passages.
• One can try cayenne pepper, it also boosts immunity.
• Other spices to be included are turmeric, cinnamon, licorice root , hot mustard.

Peppermint tea

• Peppermint tea acts as decongestant and expectorant , it breaks up mucus and helps in clearing the nose and throat.

Green tea

• Green tea has antioxidant properties that inhibit allergic reactions.

Quercetin

• Quercetin is very helpful in controlling peanut allergies. It is found in cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, tomatoes, lettuce . It is also found in onions, and citrus fruits.
• It stabilize the release of histamines and controls allergy symptoms naturally.

Probiotics

• Probiotics are very essential for gut health and immune system. Add fermented foods and drinks in the diet.

Coconut oil

• Coconut oil helps in improving digestion by soothing the gut lining and promoting growth of good bacteria.
• It kills off bad bacteria and reduces the overproduction of histamine.
• It should be consumed daily as 2 teaspoons.

Herbs

• Herbs like singing nettle, butterbur, nettle leaf , goldenseal can also be used daily to avoid allergies.

Acupuncture

• Acupuncture is a good option to help with nasal allergies relief.

Anti inflammatory diet

• Anti inflammatory diet is recommended to reduce the risk of allergies ,and repair the body.

This diet includes:

Garlic

• Garlic is a natural antibiotic that helps in fighting infections, viruses and allergies. It can be taken in raw form to boost immune system.

Ginger

• Ginger is a natural antihistamine .It also contains immune enhancing properties.
• It works great in removing phlegm and helping with chest congestion.
• One can prepare ginger tea with some honey and lemon and take it daily.

Lemons and limes

• Lemons and limes are highly beneficial to boost  immunity.
• They have vitamin C and antioxidants.
• One needs to drink lemon water to detoxify the body.
• One can mix lemon juice with olive oil and use in salads.

Green leafy vegetables

• Green leafy vegetables are great source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes that helps with digestion and reducing inflammation.

Diet to be Taken

• Diet rich in omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids needs to be taken. This fights inflammation as wells as allergies. They help body produce chemicals called prostaglandins which block the body’s production of histamine. They are found in krill oil, walnuts, eggs, flaxseeds, sesame seeds, safflower seeds.
• Vitamin D helps in managing symptoms of asthma and also other allergies.
• Eating healthy is an easy way to boost body’s immunity. Fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts are very beneficial.
• Increase intake of water, soups, teas , broth and juices.
• This helps in thinning the mucus in nasal passage and helps in relieving allergy symptoms.
• Diet should be gluten free and dairy free to manage food allergies.

Things to be Avoided

• All refined ,processed , sugary foods , foods containing yeast should be avoided as they feed the bad bacteria in our bodies and suppress the growth of good bacteria.
• All mucus forming foods should be avoided like milk products even chocolates.

Home tips:

• Keeping home clean all times , helps at lot in preventing allergens.
• During winds, there is more pollen and grass that can trigger allergic reactions. One needs to keep windows and doors closed in case of breezes.
• Whenever we come from outside, we bring small pieces of particles with us on clothes, shoes, hair and skin.
• So it is important to take a shower and wash clothes frequently.
• Wear a mask to keep allergens and pollens getting into your airways.
• Avoid cigarette smoke as much as possible by choosing smoke free public places.
• Avoid perfumes and aerosol sprays if they cause allergic reaction.
• Exercising regularly helps in reducing stress and enhancing the immune system.
• One needs to install an exhaust fan over the stove to remove cooking fumes.
• Choose hardwood floors over carpets as carpets tend to collect dust. 
• Limit indoor plants in the house as soil encourages mold growth leading to allergies.

It is very important to know what triggers allergy in a person. One needs to get allergic skin test done to find the actual cause of allergies and then avoid them.

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