The arrival of spring brings with it the promise of extended, sunnier days. Spring is the season of new growth, tree blossoms, and bees and other pollinators. Except for those who suffer from seasonal allergies, spring is a peaceful season.
Pollination is the procedure by which plants distribute pollen into the atmosphere during the spring. Pollen allergens induce seasonal allergy responses. Many people develop seasonal allergies, also known as “hay fever,” when exposed to the spores or pollen released into the air by fungi, grasses, trees, and other plants.
Examples of sensitivities include seasonal allergies, dietary allergies, medication allergies, and other types. However, many of us will experience seasonal allergies at some point in our lives.
What is the type of allergy?
Here are a few types of allergies that are common are as follows-
- Pollen allergy
- Drug allergy
- Food allergy
- Insect allergy
- Pet allergy
What are the symptoms of seasonal allergies?
- Sneezing
- Itching and watering of eyes
- Itchy skin
- Itchy throat
- Runny or Stuffy nose
- Cough
Natural remedies for seasonal allergies
Various antihistamines drugs such as Cetirizine and Benadryl are there to treat seasonal allergies. However, they are not a permanent solution for allergies, and they also come with a lot of side effects. The best natural remedy for allergies is, when possible, avoidance. There are many home remedies to treat these allergies too.
1: Stay Hydrated
When your body is dehydrated, your immunity will go down. It will lead to nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and coughing.
Try to drink 2 to 3 cups of plain warm water upon awakening. You can also drink soups or juices to refill your body’s requirements.
2: Green leafy vegetables
Green vegetables such as spinach, broccoli, and spring onions are rich in quercetin. It is a bioflavonoid compound that controls histamine production and releases in your body. These leafy vegetables also have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. You can eat them raw as well as cooked. Also, make a hot green vegetable soup to relish your taste buds and decrease your allergic reaction.
3: Citrus Fruit Drinks
Citrus fruits are the best source of vitamin C, antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. In the spring season, the sun gets harsher every passing day. It makes our bodies weak and dehydrated. Citrus fruits will provide you energy and make you fresh. They also help to boost your immunity to fight against seasonal change symptoms.
4: Red onion water
When you expose the allergen, your body immediately releases histamine. Onion contains a compound- quercetin that helps to control the production of histamine. Hence it is useful in reducing symptoms of allergies.
Onion is a natural antihistamine that helps to decrease allergic symptoms. It can also be helpful as a bronchodilator to open up the contracted airways.
5: Local Honey
Eating honey every day produced by bees in your region may help relieve allergies. The bees transfer pollen from flower blossoms to it. So if you consume it every day, it may gradually reduce your sensitivity to pollen grains.
6: Peppermint tea
Peppermint is a natural remedy for dust allergies, pollen allergies or other respiratory allergies. It contains a type of flavonoid called luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, which helps inhibit the activity and secretion of anti-inflammatory enzymes, such as histamines.
You can add a heaped teaspoon of dried peppermint leaves to a glass of water and bring it to a boil. For about ten minutes, allow the mixture to steep. Strain and drink the tea when it is mildly warm.
7: Hot and spicy food
Hot and spicy foods make your thick mucus thin and help to clear your blocked nasal and throat passage. Spicy and hot food includes soup, curries, and chilli pepper, which loosens the mucus and phlegm that clogs your body.
8: Eucalyptus Oil
Eucalyptus oil can be a game-changer in seasonal allergies. You can add a few drops of oil to the water, boil it and inhale the steam. It will help to open your sinuses and nasal passages further. Some research suggests that eucalyptus oil has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties also.
Precautions against natural remedies for allergies
Do not try to treat anaphylaxis or a very bad allergic response at home. Anaphylaxis can make it hard to breathe, hurt in the chest, make the lungs feel tight, lower blood pressure, cause fainting, dizziness, and maybe even a rash. If you have any of these signs, you need to see a doctor right away.
After looking at your health, your doctor may tell you to take medicine. To get the most benefit from your allergy medicine, take it exactly as prescribed and for as long as it says to. Getting sleepy is a common side effect of many drugs. A strong anaphylactic response could kill someone. If you’ve been allergic to essential oils in the past, you should always test them on a small area of skin before using them.