Allergies: Infusions, steam, or some foods play in your favour when the allergy attacks. Did you know that taking a specific combination of probiotics can prevent allergy symptoms from paralyzing your life?
This has been shown by a recent study by the University of Florida (United States). Still, other solutions will make you forget about this – until now – annoying disorder.
Apart from taking a series of precautions to reduce exposure to pollen as much as possible – such as avoiding going out in the hours of highest concentration, from 5 to 10 in the morning and from 7 to 10 at night.
Do not walk through parks and wooded areas; wearing sunglasses and travelling by the car windows rolled up – there are several natural solutions to alleviate bothersome symptoms.
Table of Contents
1. From Infusions to Homeopathy
we explain what natural medicine can do to make your allergy more bearable this spring.
And since not all people have the same symptoms, you will find the most effective remedies for each discomfort, from the most suitable herbal teas to specific homoeopathy treatments, without forgetting some healthy habits.
2. Do You Have a Constant Runny Nose?
Rhinitis is the most common symptom of allergy to pollen. The nose lining becomes inflamed upon contact with the allergen and causes a constant runny nose and sneezing.
To combat these allergies, you must keep your nostrils clean. Throughout the day, especially when the symptoms are accentuated, wash your nose thoroughly to remove pollen. You can do it with freshwater or, better yet, with these alternatives:
Saline water is instrumental in thoroughly cleaning the nasal passages. You can use purified seawater sprays, sold in pharmacies, or make your saline solution. To do this, boil 250 ml of water and, when it is warm, add 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Mix well and put it in a spray bottle or dropper.
Infusion. You can also make yourself awash with an infusion of herbs based on thyme, calendula, and horsetail. Suppose you have a stuffy nose. Boil 10 g of dried eucalyptus leaves in a litre of water. Remove from the heat when it boils and wait a few minutes so that the steam does not come out so hot, as it can burn you.
Put the pot on a trivet and, sitting down, cover your head and the container with a towel to retain the steam well. Take inhalations for a few minutes.
3. Itchy and Watery Eyes
The inside of the eyelids and the outer ocular surface area covered by a membrane that, in contact with pollen, can become inflamed and cause conjunctivitis (itching, tearing, and redness).
To alleviate all these symptoms, you have several natural options:
A Unique Infusion for Your Eyes
Boil a tablespoon of crushed flax seeds in half a litre of water for 5 minutes. Strain and, when warm, soak a clean cloth. Lie down and place it over your closed eyes for 5-10 minutes, preferably at bedtime.
Flax is anti-inflammatory and fights redness. You can also opt for eye drops made with eyebright.
Homoeopathy for Eye Complaints
Homoeopathic medicines give excellent results to calm the eye symptoms of allergic processes. Also, they have no side effects. The prevention guideline is usually 5 granules 3 times a day, but ask a therapist before taking them.
The most suitable preparations are these:
- Aconitum 9 CH. Indicated for all symptoms of conjunctivitis, such as swelling, itching, tearing, burning
- Apis 9 CH. Useful when the conjunctiva has a swollen ring around the iris.
- Euphrasia 9 CH. In case the conjunctiva has a light red colour.
- Belladonna 9 CH. If the colour is slightly dark red.
4. Does Your Throat Itch?
It is usually one of the first symptoms of a pollen allergy and often precedes rhinitis and itchy eyes. In this case, the pollen causes inflammation of the mucous membranes of the throat.
To prevent or reduce allergies if they have already occurred, you must follow the following precautions:
Keep it hydrated. The drier the throat, the more itchy and sore you will notice. Try to take sips of water throughout the day so that it does not dry out.
Suck on throat lozenges. The salivation they produce calms the itch and relieves irritation.
Moderate the temperature indoors. If it is higher than 20-21º, the throat becomes drier.
Limit alcohol and coffee. Both dry out the area and further aggravate the symptoms.
5. Is It Hard for You to Breathe?
Of all the symptoms caused by allergies, it is the one that can become the most serious since it sometimes leads to asthma.
This occurs because the bronchi close on contact with the allergen, causing intense coughing, wheezing in the chest, very short breaths, and difficulty doing so.
Compounds in onion can help you breathe.
In bed, when lying down, it can be harder to breathe, preventing you from even sleeping well. If so, put half an onion on the nightstand.
When cut, it releases sulfur compounds that have an immediate anti-congestion effect. Of course, do not use this remedy if you have itchy eyes.
If you have breathing problems, especially if you have asthma, you should take these precautions:
Opt for green cleaning. When suffering from asthma, chemical cleaners can further irritate the respiratory tract, so it is better to use organic or natural products, such as salt, lemon, vinegar.
Ban tobacco at home. And avoid places or environments with smoke, as it increases sensitivity to pollen and intensifies symptoms.
Install an air purifier. Choose it with an active carbon filter, effective in removing pollen.
6. Foods That Strengthen Your Defenses
The following foods should not be missing in your usual diet:
Vegetables and fruits. A study carried out among inhabitants of Crete (Greece) showed that the Mediterranean diet, with a high content of vitamins C, B, and E, reduces the risk of suffering from allergies.
Vegetables and fruits, rich in antioxidants, protect your body from attack by allergens found in the air you breathe. Oranges, apples, tomatoes, red grapes, blueberries are rich in polyphenols, which also have a protective effect.
Walnuts have a lot of vitamin E, a substance that helps reduce the respiratory symptoms of allergies. Take a handful each day.
Strengthens Defenses or Reduces Symptoms With What You Eat
Omega 3. This fatty acid, found in oily fish, has an anti-inflammatory effect and protects against asthma.
Turmeric. This ingredient in curry also has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces histamine release, a substance involved in allergic reactions.
Yoghurt and kefir. Probiotics strengthen your defences and act as an anti-allergy shield.
Instead, avoid foods rich in histamine, such as preserves, aged cheeses, cold cuts, smoked, pre-cooked, and aggravate allergy symptoms.
