Spring Allergies: Top 5 Natural Remedies for Allergy Suffers

Source: F. Delventhal

With the arrival of spring on March 20th, this means many new things with the seasons changing …sunshine (some days), warmth (some days), and…allergies. Symptoms accompanying spring allergies mean sneezing, sinuses, headaches, stuffy noses, runny noses, fevers, and that doesn’t even begin to list everything. If you’re battling allergies this spring, you aren’t alone. According to WebMd.com, two of every ten Americans have allergies.

What’s interesting about allergies is this fact: You’re more prone to developing a new allergy if you already have a history of allergies.

“I am very much against people moving in hopes of finding an allergy-free environment,” Dr. Zab Mosenifar, MD, Director of Pulmonary and Critical Care at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, told healthcentral.com. “Once you move, your allergies are not going to go away. If you have a propensity for developing allergies, you might buy some time in a new location but you’ll eventually find new allergens.”

On the plus side, you can take action to fight back against the disorder. Listed below are five different natural remedies you can take to help relieve symptoms of spring allergies.

1. Butterbur: Treat Allergies With…Plants? Yes, in fact. This herbal plant normally found in Europe, Asia and North America can be used to treat allergies (specifically allergic rhinitis) instead of curing it with antihistamines. What causes it to work? Inside Butterbur are two working ingredients called petasin and isopetasin. The petasin decreases any spasms in the soft muscle and vascular walls. Working alongside petasin is isopetasin, which helps to decrease swelling. When combined, they work congruently as an anti-inflammatory drug.

A study involving 330 allergic rhinitis positive people were split into three groups (one group taking Butterbur, one group taking Antihistamines, and one group taking a placebo pill) and as it turned out, those receiving care had a decrease in symptoms, thus making both the antihistamines and butterbur effective.

“Three randomized, placebo-controlled studies of the butterbur extract, Ze 339, in peer-reviewed journals should convince anybody of the efficacy and safety of the medication in allergic rhinitis,” said Schapowal, according to NBC Digital Health Network, posted on The Weather Channel website.

When purchasing the Butterbur supplement, according to WebMd.com, you should buy it only if it is labeled UPA-free. WebMd.com also recommends not consuming it raw.

2. Lavender Oil: Spring Cleaning Lavender Oil contains anti-inflammatory properties that help treat respiratory problems possibly occurring when you have spring  allergies. But the benefits do not stop on that note; it also helps boost your immunity. Due to the intense nature of this oil, the phlegm sticking and clinging to the lungs becomes loose once the lavender aura oozes in. The phlegm gives away and leaves quickly, leaving your respiratory system to function again without you suffering. To use, apply to your temples and gently massage.

3. H20: Drink Up Cut out coffee, tea, and alcohol and instead fill up on water. To reduce your allergy symptoms, according to truthaboutwater.com, you should guzzle enough water equal to one- half ounce per pound of your body weight. This amount will keep you hydrated and in turn, help relieve allergy symptoms. They recommend drinking 12-16 ounces of water first thing in the morning. Spring allergies are caused when the neurotransmitter known as histamine, which tells you when you’re thirsty, begins to save up the little water in your dehydrated body for survival purposes, leaving you more susceptible to allergies.

4. Walnuts: Munch And Crunch To Lighten Up Jam packed with ALA Omega-3 fatty acids, walnuts reduce inflammatory regions in your air passage. These polyunsaturated fats can only be found inside foods, meaning it is not made within your body. You can receive ALA not only through walnuts, but also in spinach, tofu, soybeans, canola oil and more. ALA’s also pump up immunity levels throughout your body, which is a plus during allergy season.

5. Bromelain: Pipe UP For Pineapples! This natural enzyme, found in the stem of pineapples, helps to decrease inflammation. To help reduce swelling, health experts recommend taking 80-320 milligrams up to three times a day. It not only has anti-inflammatory qualities, but it also pumps up your immune system as well by stimulating your T-cells. Once it reaches them, it allows them to communicate more efficiently together.