Dealing with Your Allergy Symptoms Naturally

Maybe your allergy medicine just isn’t as effective as it used to be. Or you're tired of pouring all those synthetic ingredients into your body and want to look at some healthier alternatives. Fortunately for you, there are lots of natural approaches to allergy relief that are both healthy and effective.

No doubt you've read that omega 3 fatty acids are a healthy choice for your body. It's been demonstrated that they help to prevent numerous diseases and just generally enhance your health. Particularly interesting to note is that those who consume a lot of omega 3 fatty acids tend to experience fewer allergies. You can add more of this wonder nutrient to your diet by consuming fish, flax seed, and various nuts. Or you could take a supplement; just be careful that the product you're taking is safe and effective.

Another natural allergy relief compound is known as quercitin, which helps to prevent your body from manufacturing histamines. It's also an antioxidant, which means it can lower your chances of developing various forms of cancer. Quercitin in available in many foods such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and apples, as well as vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli, and parsley. It's even found in tea and wine. However, you’ll probably get the best relief if you take a supplement.

Weeds are probably the last thing you'd think of when it comes to treating allergies. But strangely enough, stinging nettles and butterbur are weeds that have been shown to lower the production of histamine in the body. They are available in supplement form, or you can purchase the plants and make them into a tea.

Another more natural approach to allergy treatment is called sublingual immunotherapy. This is a less invasive alternative to allergy shots which involves administering the treatment under the tongue. Allergy shots involve injecting a small amount of allergen under the skin on a regular basis for a period of time. Eventually, the patient builds up a tolerance and no longer needs medication to control allergies. However, sometimes an adverse reaction occurs when these allergens are injected into the body. With sublingual immunotherapy, the chances of this happening are much reduced, but the benefits are still there.

If you'd really like to avoid putting anything into your body, natural or chemical, then neti pots are a good option. With these gadgets, you pour water and salt through your sinuses. This helps to flush allergens out of your sinuses and prevent an allergic reaction before it gets going. They’re completely safe, and have been used for centuries.

Another option you don't want to overlook is investing in an air purifier. By removing allergens and other contaminants from the air in your home, they eliminate many of the triggers that lead to an allergy attack. HEPA air purifiers, in particular, are highly effective at cleaning the air.

An advantage of using natural products is that they can supplement traditional allergy medications for added protection. Be sure to check with your doctor to make sure there are no potential interactions or side effects. Keep in mind, too, that natural treatments can take a while to work, so you should start using them before allergy season to get a head start.