According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, one in five people, or an estimated 50 million Americans, suffer from some type of allergy. The chances are high that you or someone you know deals with ongoing allergies, whether seasonal allergies, food allergies or another type, and could use allergy relief at least from time to time.
Most people who struggle to find allergy relief go to the doctor to be treated and/or are routinely given pharmaceuticals ranging from acetaminophens to antihistamines, both of which may actually further aggravate the symptoms they were given for. If you prefer not to take prescriptions to keep your symptoms under a control, what can help allergies at home?
Home remedies for allergies — including symptoms like congested sinuses, headaches, and watery or itchy eyes — include using frankincense essential oil, eucalyptus oil and quercetin. Below you’ll learn about eight amazing, all-natural home remedies for allergies that can help provide fast allergy relief.
Some experts feel that conventional treatment approaches (besides an elimination diet) are not the best ways to manage allergies because they don’t fix the underlying causes.
Allergy drugs, drops and other products can alleviate and hide symptoms, but they don’t address the fact that the problem still exists.
Natural Allergy Relief Options
What helps relieve allergies fast? Watching what you eat, getting plenty of fresh air and drinking enough water are some of the natural remedies that can relieve allergies by improving functions of the immune system.
It may take several weeks for your symptoms to subside, but they are likely to be better kept under control when you tackle the root causes. Here are eight ways to get natural allergy relief.
1. Eat an Anti-Inflammatory, Alkaline Diet
First and foremost, start eating an anti-inflammatory diet to reduce your risk for allergies and many other health problems. Caring for your body with nutrient-dense foods gives your immune system the ability to repair itself, bringing it back into balance so it can fight off common allergies in your environment.
Some of the best foods and ingredients to incorporate into your diet to help you beat allergies are garlic, lemons, green leafy vegetables, and probiotic-rich foods.
2. Local Raw Honey (Bee Pollen)
Considering how good it tastes, having some raw honey every day to help control seasonal allergies may sound too easy to actually work well, but don’t discount this ancient remedy. Taking a tablespoon of local, raw honey every day helps your body build a tolerance to the local pollen that is running amuck on your sinuses.
Try taking one tablespoon of raw local honey daily, such as by stirring some into tea, adding some to oatmeal along with cinnamon, or putting some in your smoothies.
What makes raw honey so powerful at reducing allergies? One reason is because it contains bee pollen, which is known to ward off infections and allergies and boost immunity.
Honey also contains many enzymes that supports overall immune function, which helps with allergy relief.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
You can now find high-quality apple cider vinegar in most supermarkets, which is great considering it can help break up mucus and support lymphatic drainage.
Drinking a glass of water with a teaspoon of ACV and some fresh lemon juice is one of the best ways to wake up every morning. At the first sign of an allergy attack, put one teaspoon of ACV in your neti pot solution for a natural “sinus flush.”
4. Quercetin
Quercetin is a polyphenol antioxidant that is naturally found in plant foods, such as cruciferous vegetables (like broccoli or cauliflower), onions/shallots, green tea and citrus fruits. Considered a bioflavonoid that stabilizes the release of histamines, it helps naturally control allergy symptoms.
According to a 2020 study, quercetin has anti-allergic functions that are known for inhibiting histamine production and pro-inflammatory mediators. Another study found evidence that quercetin is effective at reducing congestion because it helps calm down hyperactivity of the airways.
People prone to seasonal allergies should start to take it a few weeks before spring arrives when trees and plants start to bloom.
5. Neti Pot
What is the best allergy relief for a runny nose? Neti pots are a natural remedy for allergies and many respiratory conditions because they help clear the sinuses and remove congestion.
Use of neti pots has been shown to help improve quality of life in sufferers of respiratory illnesses and cause little to no side effects.
Clearing the nasal passages of allergens and irritants, this form of “sinus irrigation” originated in the Ayurvedic medicine tradition hundreds of years ago. People living in India have been receiving astounding results from using neti pots for centuries, and now you can, too.
When you use a neti pot, make sure that the water is distilled and as sterile as possible. Tap water is full of chlorine and fluoride and can actually aggravate your sinuses, so it shouldn’t be used.
If you don’t want to use a neti pot, you can also try a salt water sinus rinse by mixing sea salt with warm water and sucking it up one nostril.
6. Stinging Nettle
Research has specifically shown that stinging nettle leaf naturally controls histamines, which is why a growing number of doctors recommend taking a freeze-dried preparation before hay fever season begins. It can also be used as a tea or in tincture form.
According to sinus allergy experts, other herbal remedies that may help control symptoms by supporting the immune system and reducing congestion include:
- Ginger
- Turmeric
- Yarrow
- Reishi mushrooms
- Astralagus
- Perilla (Perilla frutescens)
- Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides)
- Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)
- Horehound (Marrubium vulgare)
7. Eucalyptus Oil and Frankincense Oil
Essential oils for allergies work by reducing inflammation and improving detoxification of harmful bacteria, parasites, microorganisms and toxins that can trigger attacks.
You can use eucalyptus oil for seasonal allergy relief in a variety of ways:
- You can put several drops of eucalyptus oil into your neti pot, inhale it via a diffuser or use it in your laundry detergent as an antimicrobial agent.
- For an eco-friendly, biodegradable addition to your natural detergents, add 25 drops of eucalyptus oil to each load of wash during allergy season, especially if you or the kids are running around outside.
- If your allergy symptoms are going strong, mix eucalyptus oil with coconut oil, rub it on your chest and behind your ears, and diffuse it in the air during the day and while sleeping.
Another powerful essential oil for managing allergies is frankincense oil. The almost unbelievable cancer-killing capacity of Indian frankincense has been well-established in scientific literature for several years, but its life-giving power doesn’t end there.
- To implement it into your natural health regimen, simply rub frankincense behind your ears and on your chest several times per day, or diffuse frankincense essential oil in your home and office for about three hours daily.
8. Cleaning Up Your Home to Remove Irritants
There are many things you can do to limit the amount of irritants and triggers you’re exposed to, such as dust, fragrances, etc. Here are some of the most effective changes to make to your home, cleaning and beauty routines for natural allergy relief:
- Avoid burning scented candles in your home or wearing perfume.
- Use hypoallergenic beauty products, such as lotions, shampoos, etc.
- Use laundry detergent that is fragrance-free and dye-free (or hypoallergenic). Avoid dryer sheets and softeners.
- Use a humidifier to help cleanse the air in your home. You may also want to use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
- Vacuum regularly to remove dust, and wash things like sheets, towels and blankets often.
- During times of the year when allergens outdoors are high, keep windows closed.
- Be careful about how indoor plants and pets may affect your allergies.
Risks and Side Effects
While most of the supplements and tips described above can provide natural allergy relief safely, there are some precautions to keep in mind.
When allergies are mild or moderate, they are usually not very threatening and go away with time. However, severe allergic reactions can be dangerous and require medical attention.
Anaphylaxis is the term for a severe allergic reaction, which can happen due to contact with food allergens, drugs/medications or insect stings. Symptoms usually affect the lungs, blood vessels or heart and can include:
- trouble breathing
- tightness in the lungs
- chest pains
- blood pressure changes
- dizziness
- fainting
- rash
- vomiting
If you or your child experience these symptoms, head to your doctor or the emergency room right away to prevent complications.
What can you do for severe allergies? Your doctor may need to prescribe allergy shots or prescription asthma medications, such as bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids.
Discuss these options with your health care provider, and consider trying the natural allergy relief remedies described above in addition to using medications.
Source: Adapted by Dr. Axe