Allergies can be a real pain. When your nose is constantly running, you’re feeling congested and your eyes are itching, it’s hard to think about anything else. If you’ve tried all the over-the-counter medicines that promise to relieve symptoms but they haven’t worked for you, then it might be time to explore natural remedies. In this post, we’ll cover 11 of the most effective allergy cures from a naturopathic perspective. From simple lifestyle changes like eating more garlic or hanging out in nature, to more intense treatments like acupuncture or homeopathy – there’s something here for everyone! And if none of these work? Well then maybe it’s time to say goodbye forever (sniff).
- Garlic – The Stinking Rose That’s Also a Cure-All
Have you ever heard that eating more garlic can help with allergies? It’s true, and it isn’t just some old wives’ tale. Garlic is a powerful antihistamine and anti-inflammatory agent, making it an effective treatment for many allergy symptoms. One study found that subjects who consumed a garlic supplement daily had a nearly 50% reduction in their nasal symptoms when they were exposed to ragweed pollen!
You don’t have to ingest raw garlic either, though if you can stomach it down straight up then by all means go for it. A lot of people find the taste less than appetizing and in fact, when cutting up garlic and letting it sit for 10 minutes before cooking it, the active ingredient (allicin) is converted to allicin which has even stronger anti-inflammatory properties.
- Vitamin C – A Cure That Starts With Food
Vitamin C isn’t just good for you, it’s essential. We all know that vitamin C is an antioxidant but did you also know it’s critical for the creation of collagen? Collagen is what holds our bodies together structurally so without enough C, your immune system will be compromised and allergies are likely to develop.
- Zinc – A Metal That Will Improve Your Allergy Symptoms
As mentioned above, zinc is necessary for collagen synthesis but did you know it also plays a very important role in your immune system? Experiments have shown that taking zinc supplements reduces inflammatory cells in the nasal mucosa during allergy season.
Similarly, other studies have noted that increased intake of foods high in zinc (like pumpkin seeds) correlates to decreased allergy symptoms during pollen season while data on humans shows that just 50mg/day of supplemental zinc improved nasal allergy symptoms.
Zinc is a critical nutrient, so make sure you’re supplementing with at least 50mg if not more. If you feel that your body is deficient in zinc then increase your intake of pumpkin seeds and other foods high in zinc like oysters. You can also take this Zinc supplement daily which contains 25mg’s of elemental zinc per tablet. The tablets are coated with a vegetable shell to prevent any negative effects from taking too much (like nausea and diarrhea).
- B Vitamins – A Complete Allergy Solution
B vitamins play an important role in the synthesis of antibodies and neurotransmitters, while others help lower histamine levels. Histamine intolerance is one of the leading causes of allergy symptoms (including hives, itching, swelling and redness).
Take a look at this B-Complex supplement which contains 100mg’s of each B vitamin per tablet. The tablets are also coated to prevent any negative effects from an overdose.
- Vitamin D – A Nutrient That Helps You Breathe Easier
Vitamin D inhibits the production of IgE which is an antibody that causes your immune system to overreact when it encounters common allergens. Ever wonder why people with seasonal allergies seem to have an easier time breathing in the winter? Maybe it’s because they’re not outside as much or maybe it’s due to increased vitamin D absorption during the shorter days… who knows for sure?
Still, vitamin D is important for allergies so make sure you’re getting enough in your diet or taking a supplement like this 5,000IU Vitamin D3 supplement. It’s also good to note that if you do take too much Vitamin D (>5-10,000 IU) then you may experience some mild side effects similar to drinking too much alcohol. So stick with the recommended dosage!
- Luteolin – An Herbal Allergy Remedy That Actually Works!
Luteolin is an antioxidant that has been shown to block histamine response in cells. This means that they’ll stop reacting when exposed to allergens which commonly cause allergic reactions in both humans and animals. What’s really exciting about luteolin is that studies show it’s more powerful than some existing antihistamine medications… but without any side effects!
The best part about luteolin is that you can get it from your diet. It’s found in high concentrations (more than other antioxidants) of vegetables like celery, peppermint and parsley. This makes supplementation unnecessary for most people who eat a healthy diet with lots of veggies included.
- Honey – A Superfood That Will Help You Breathe Easier
Curiously enough, honey has been used as an allergy remedy by traditional cultures for years. We now know why: honey actually contains chemicals that block histamine response in cells just like luteolin! So the next time you have allergies try eating a spoonful of honey to help ease your symptoms.
- Homeopathy – Nature’s Medicine Cabinet
Homeopathists have been using homeopathic remedies for hundreds if not thousands of years and they continue to be one of the most trusted medicines in Europe today. While most medical doctors do not support homeopathy due to its lack of scientific data compared to prescription drugs. Many people still swear by it and claim it helps ease allergy symptoms.
There are hundreds (if not thousands) of homeopathic remedies available which can be effective in treating allergies when used alone or when taken along with prescription antihistamines. The reason why they’re so effective is that they contain extremely small amounts of active molecules that trigger an immune response and help boost your body’s natural defense system. So next time you have allergies take a look at this homeopathic medicine cabinet and choose the remedy that matches your symptoms best!
- Bromelain – A Natural Anti-Inflammatory That Blocks Histamine Response
Bromelain is a well-known anti-inflammatory enzyme found in fresh pineapple stems, but did you know it also acts as a powerful histamine blocker? That’s right, it’s the perfect ingredient for reducing allergy symptoms.
One study showed that bromelain can suppress an immune response in cells up to 80% after only 2 hours of treatment! It also blocks molecules like prostaglandins and leukotrienes which are involved in inflammatory responses after an allergic reaction happens. The best part about bromelain is that it doesn’t just block histamine response… it actually breaks down proteins in your body so they can be flushed out through your kidneys. This means fewer allergen molecules are left to cause irritation.
- Ginger – A Powerful Anti-Inflammatory That Relieves Congestion
Known as “the universal remedy” in Traditional Chinese Medicine , ginger is a powerful spice known to help alleviate almost every symptom you can think of. These include: headaches, nausea and vomiting, upset stomach, migraines , muscle pain and spasms, inflammation (like arthritis) and even motion sickness. The reason why it works so well for allergy relief is that it contains natural anti-inflammatory compounds that help reduce swelling in your airways and nasal passages (similar to the way steroid nasal sprays work).
- Quercetin – A Natural Supplement That Blocks Histamine Release
Quercetin is a flavonoid found naturally in red grapes, green tea, onions, capers , apples, kale and many other fruits and vegetables. It’s commonly used as an anti-inflammatory supplement to help reduce allergy symptoms by blocking histamine release from mast cells when they bind with IgE antibodies on the surface of your body.
Allergies can be a real drag! We’ve compiled 11 natural allergy cures from the perspective of naturopathic medicine. If you want to do more than mask your symptoms, we offer an integrative approach that treats the root cause of allergies and their accompanying symptoms holistically with clinical nutrition therapy and acupuncture treatments in addition to herbal remedies. Call us today for a free consultation or submit our online form for information on how we can help alleviate your seasonal discomfort naturally this year!
About the Authors
Society’s Voice advocates for Naturopathic treatments for a variety of physical and mental disabilities. Naturopathic medicine is a distinct system of primary health care that emphasizes prevention and the self-healing process through the use of natural therapies. We know that the efficacy of naturopathic medicine dates back to the 1890s, and are heartened to see naturopathic medicine undergo a rapid increase in public interest in recent years as a result of the growing consumer movement to solve the healthcare puzzle using prevention, wellness and respect for nature’s inherent healing ability.
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