Natural Ways to Treat Allergies

There are many natural ways to reduce and prevent allergy symptoms without the use of medications. There are vitamins, herbs, foods, drinks, and easy common things that you can do at home so that you don't have to suffer from allergies.

There are several vitamins, minerals, and herbal remedies that are good at relieving allergy symptoms and strengthening the immune system. Vitamin B5, vitamin A, and Omega-3 Fatty Acids can help to relieve allergy symptoms, such as congestion, coughs, and runny nose. Quercetin is a plant compound that can be found in foods, such as onions, apples, and citrus fruits, that can prevent the secretion of histamine. Histamine is a chemical that the body produces during an allergic reaction that causes sneezing and other symptoms. Butterbur is a herb that is good at relieving hay fever symptoms. Licorice root, astragalus, and capsicum are also good at curing allergy symptoms.

There are foods and drinks that can be used to easy allergy symptoms. Spicy foods, such as hot ginger, cayenne pepper, onion, and garlic, can help to reduce mucous secretion, which can help to clear nasal passages. Honey can be used to help allergies. Taking 1 or 2 teaspoons of locally grown natural honey before the allergy season starts helps the body to get used to pollen before the allergy season is full blown and helps the immune system. Teas such as green tea and Mint Medley herbal tea work well to ease congestion.

There are easy things that can done at home that can help allergies. Cleaning carpets, bedsheets, floors, and curtains at least once a week reduces pollen and allergy in your home. Dust mites are another cause of allergies that are commonly found in bedding, carpets, and pet dander. It is good to wash bedding in hot water and dry them in a hot dryer to kill dust mites. It is also a good idea to enclose mattresses, box springs, and pillows in airtight zipped plastic or special allergy proof plastic. Using an air conditioner can help to clean, recirculate, and dehumidify the air.

Giving pets a regular bath can help to reduce allergies. Washing your hair regularly can help to reduce allergies because hair can hold a lot of pollen when you go outside. Wearing sunglasses when you go outside can reduce the amount of pollen entering the eyes. Nasal Rinses are very effective at removing the pollen stuck in the nasal passages. Doing a nasal rise will drain out some bacteria and mucous and help to reduce allergies.

Global Warming Increases Allergy Problems

It is found that climate change due to global warming can affect allergies. Global warming and increased atmospheric carbon dioxide levels from burning fossil fuels can increase the levels of pollen that cause allergies. The effect of global warming and increased carbon dioxide levels on allergies are currently being studied by government agencies, scientists, and doctors. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Environmental Protection Agency have both cited increased allergic reactions due to climate change as a growing concern for the public in 2007 reports.

Allergies Causing Depression

It is found that tree pollen can cause symptoms of depression. A psychologist at the Mood and Anxiety Program of the University of Maryland and School of Medicine analyzed surveys of 845 men and women and found that two thirds of the people surveyed reported mood difficulties during the spring season, which is when pollen levels are very high. It is believed that airborne allergens produce inflammation in the respiratory airways and the inflammation causes symptoms of depression in some people.

Another study was done on patients with mood disorders that found that increased allergy symptoms during times of high levels of pollen were connected with depression symptoms that were more severe. This study fits with earlier evidence that suicide rates increase during late spring and a family history of allergies affects depression in women.