When the cold season ends and the beautiful flowers bloom, or when the very hot season ends and the leaves fall from the trees with a slight chill, do you also often get a runny nose? Do you have a runny nose? Do your eyes become red, itchy, and watery? These are the common symptoms of a seasonal allergy that many of us develop with the change of seasons. We also call this 'Hay Fever'.
This problem starts when pollen from trees, flowers, and grass enters our noses. Many people use over-the-counter medications to treat it. However, more and more people are looking for natural remedies. Some studies have even found that these natural remedies can provide relief without the side effects of medication, such as drowsiness.
Herbs and nutrients that bring natural relief
Among the natural remedies for allergies, some herbs hold a special place. Among these, the herb called Butterbur (`Petasites hybridus`), which grows in Europe, is being talked about a lot these days.
Research has found that taking a butterbur pill four times a day is as effective as a popular over-the-counter antihistamine . It also doesn't cause the drowsiness that comes with those medications.
In addition, a tonic made from freeze-dried nettles and goldenseal can also be very useful. The results are especially good when this goldenseal tonic is combined with saline nasal irrigation. Simply put, the salt water washes away pollen from the inside of the nose and thins the mucus . The properties of goldenseal further help this process.
In addition to herbs, some nutritional supplements can help control allergy symptoms. Grape seed extract and the flavonoid compound quercetin are two of the most popular. Although they are naturally found in many foods, taking them as supplements, especially when combined with vitamin C, can be very helpful in reducing allergy symptoms.
Some research suggests that this compound, called quercetin, can also control the release of histamine , a chemical that causes allergies.
Relief that can be found right in the kitchen
If you put your medicine cabinet aside and turn to the kitchen, you can also find relief from allergies there. Spicy foods in particular help with this. The reason is that spicy foods tend to thin the mucous secretions in your nose, which helps clear a stuffy nose.
Spices that can help with this include cayenne pepper, ginger, fenugreek, and the onions and garlic that are always present in our kitchens.
| Natural remedy | How it works / Advantage |
|---|---|
| Butterbur | It works like an antihistamine, but with less drowsiness. |
| Goldenseal with Saline | It washes away pollen from inside the nose and thins mucus. |
| Quercetin | It can control the release of histamine, which causes allergies. |
| Spicy foods | It thins mucus and opens up a stuffy nose. |
What you eat is as important as what you don't eat!
It's surprising that what you eat and what you don't eat can affect your allergies. Some foods are just a little off-putting to us. That means that when you eat them, you might get a little bloated or have a little stomach upset. By eliminating foods that you think are a little off-putting to you from your diet, you can reduce the burden on your immune system. Then, the impact of allergies that come with the change of seasons may also be reduced.
In particular, if you are allergic to ragweed pollen, it is best to stay away from the foods below, as these foods may aggravate your allergy symptoms.
Other methods and things to definitely consider
When you're stuck at home during allergy season, you might think about an air filtration system. However, research shows that while these can help clean the air in your home, they don't have much of an effect on reducing allergy symptoms once they start.
A better option is to wear a regular paper dust filter mask when going outside on days with high pollen counts.
In addition to all of this, you can also find relief through acupuncture, an ancient Chinese medical practice. This involves stimulating specific points on the outside of the body to control internal reactions, especially the immune system that triggers allergies. Some studies have shown that this method can reduce allergy symptoms without any side effects.
Very important... remember these things!
Although natural remedies are very useful, there are a few things you should definitely know when using them.
Just because something is "natural" doesn't mean it's "safe."
Even something that seems innocent enough can be harmful to the body if taken in excess. So, don't use more than the recommended amount.
Most importantly, never mix these natural products with medications you are already taking without your doctor's approval. For example, if you are taking an over-the-counter allergy medicine (such as Allegra), an antihistamine. If you also take a natural product with antihistamine properties, the amount of antihistamine in your body can increase, which can be dangerous.
Also, if your allergies are moderate or severe, never try to treat them yourself without talking to a doctor. Even if it's something natural, it's not a good idea to do so.
Finally, the best time to start any of these natural remedies is before allergy symptoms even begin. If possible, you can get the best results by starting these treatments about three weeks before allergy season begins .
Take-Home Message
- Natural remedies like Butterbur, spices, and Quercetin can help relieve seasonal allergies.
- Just like what you eat, avoiding foods that are not good for you is also very important for managing allergies.
- "Natural" doesn't always mean "safe." Too much of anything can be harmful.
- Most importantly: If you are already taking any medication, be sure to talk to your doctor before starting any natural remedies or using them together.
- For best results, start natural treatments a few weeks before allergy symptoms begin.
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