The sneezing, the watery eyes, the itchy and runny nose, the congestion that just won’t subside — whether your symptoms are triggered by pollen in the air or cat dander on the couch, allergies are quite common. In fact, the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) predicts between 10 to 30 percent of people around the world suffer from allergic rhinitis.
As spring gets underway, you’ve likely prepared your family with an arsenal of dissolving tabs, nasal sprays, tissues and allergy pills. Some of these medications — most frequently antihistamines — are helpful, but lead to uncomfortable side effects like mood changes, nausea, wooziness and dry mouth. In other situations, an allergy treatment seems to work fine for a while, but eventually its effectiveness diminishes.
Instead of booking an appointment with your doctor for another prescription or refill, why not try these natural allergy remedies? They’re renowned for their ability to relieve symptoms without any disruptive side effects for kids or adults.
Butterbur
Although tricky to track down, if you can find some butterbur online or at your local pharmacy, try it. Lynn Keiley at Mother Earth News reports that this plant treats allergies the same way an antihistamine like Zyrtec would, backing her information with a report from the British Journal of Medicine that compared cetirizine (an allergy-fighter in medications) with butterbur. Both reduce symptoms, but butterbur has no side effects.
Tea
Tea is beloved for its relaxing properties, but it’s also a natural remedy for allergies, found the writers at Health.com. Parents who want to sip on something that will erase that runny nose should try peppermint tea. Menthol opens your throat and allows you to clear your nose of excessive mucus. If kids’ tastes aren’t quite mature enough for tea, make a steaming mug and let them breathe it in.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Keiley with Mother Earth News shares research discovering that certain foods may be able to alleviate allergy symptoms. These foods must contain omega-3 fatty acids, which are already quite healthy. If your kids don’t like fish, don’t despair. Grass-fed eggs and meats, flaxseed oil and walnuts also have omega-3s.
Honey
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Who doesn’t love a bit of honey with their tea or ice cream? Instead of going the store-bought route, Wellness Mama suggests venturing to a local farm or farmers market. “The theory is that consuming local honey from where you live will help your body adapt to the allergens in the environment there,” she notes. Give it a try. This is certainly a treat your kids will love.
Eucalyptus Oil
One go-to treatment for allergy sufferers is to boil a cup or bowl of hot water and inhale the steam, much like the tea trick above. You’ll notice that your sinuses begin to open. Boiling eucalyptus oil provides similar relief, but Health.com reports that the essential oils in the eucalyptus make this a more effective method than a standard cup of steam.
Neti Pot
Although a newer concept in the United States, India has favored some variation of neti pot for generations. Fill the pot with warm and salty water and then filter that water through your nostrils. This salt rinse will relieve the sinuses of pressure and allow you and your family to breathe better.
Probiotics
Thinking of adding a new addition to the family? Wellness Mama recommends taking some probiotics first. She cites research that connects gut health to reduced allergy symptoms. Supposedly, if a mother’s gut is in check when she’s pregnant, her child may avoid suffering from red eyes, sneezing and other allergy symptoms. It’s easy to add some probiotics to your diet. Just try some kefir or yogurt.
Air Filters
If pollen triggers your allergies, you may try to limit your time outdoors. However, if pet dander or other allergens get you and your family sneezing, consider investing in an air filter, particularly a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. These can capture dust, which can agitate allergies and eliminate allergens like pet dander. A portable air cleaner makes it easy to avoid allergy symptoms on the go.
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Bonnie Coberly is a Certified Health Counselor and works at Natural Horizons Wellness Centers. The Natural Horizons Wellness Centers team focuses on providing its clients with natural remedies to improve their overall health.
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog contributor’s. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Writers may have conflicts of interest, and their opinions are their own.