It's spring! Birds chirping, flowers blooming, trees budding, and...allergies. If you don't have them, count your lucky stars. If you do, you get it. Spring can be wonderful and terrible at the same time. Everything is coming to life but you want to stay indoors with your air filter and allergy meds to avoid feeling like a bus hit you. We get it too - allergies are no joke!
But there are natural options to all those over the counter meds that make you feel like you're in a bubble. Next time allergies attack, try one of the following methods!
* Check the pollen count in your area. Know what you are allergic to and prepare your body in the weeks leading up to spring by using Allergy Away and cutting back on sugar and processed foods. You can use this website to know the pollen count daily (make sure to enter your city up top!). It'll look something like this:
* Apply Allergy Away to the inside of your cheeks (diluted for kids works great too!). This specially formulated blend of essential oils reduces and soothes the symptoms of seasonal allergies and environmental elements. This blend provides relief from runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, coughing, and other allergy symptoms. Plus you can apply it every 15 min if needed!
* Wash your hands and face regularly and don't touch your face.
* Cleanse your nasal passageways. Pollens can stick to the membranes in your nose so a nasal irrigation (think neti pot) is your friend!
* Try acupuncture. This can help the acute symptoms of allergies and help heal the body's imbalances.
* Detox your liver by staying away from sugar, alcohol, fried foods, and processed foods. Your liver moderates inflammation in your body. If you can get rid of the toxins and inflammation, usually your allergic symptoms will improve.
* Increase gut health with probiotics and fermented foods. Allergies are caused when your body's immune system reacts too strongly to its environment. Studies have shown that when your gut is healthy, it can boost the immune system and make it less likely to overreact.
* Clean your house. No, really. I know this one seems like a bummer, but a cleaning the house rids it of pollen and other allergic triggers and makes it a safe place to relax without symptoms. Make sure to change air filters often (buy the cheap ones and do it monthly), clean vents, vacuum rugs 2x weekly and change out pillowcases at least 2x weekly.
* Add an air filter to the main rooms and bedrooms in your house. You can either opt for small filters in each room or larger ones that cover more area. Make sure to clean these regularly too.
* Discontinue using candles, toxic cleaning products, and anything else that uses fake fragrances or harsh chemicals. These will increase your immune system's response to any trigger. It's like trying to put more water in an already full cup...the more you can cut out to help your body cope, the better. If you want to see how toxic a product is, click HERE for more info.
How do you cope with allergies?
Rachel Bartels
Author