If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you may have the urge to barricade the doors and windows every spring. There is help! An excellent way to combat this yearly annoyance is to make a natural allergy kit. Put together the essential tools to ease your suffering and help you enjoy spring for once. Try the items and remedies below; make sure you have a fully stocked allergy relief kit at all times. You never know when the sneezing fits will start…
Neti pot
A neti pot is a device used to thin and flush out mucus build-up in the nasal passages. Not sure what to do with it? Watch this informative video on how to use the neti pot. Daily use during times of nasal congestion and irritation is safe and effective for allergy sufferers. You can purchase a neti pot from most health food or drug stores.
Essential oils
Pack your purse with these essential oils used for many purposes, inlcuding allergy relief. For application you can put a few drops on your hands and cup them over your mouth, inhaling the oils. You can also apply the oil to your cheeks, sinuses and forehead as a topical remedy for allergy symptoms. If you have a diffuser, you can use a mix of these oils or one at a time depending on what may work for you.
These are just some examples of essential oils used for the treatment of allergies; see an aromatherapist for a full assessment of your specific symptoms.
Lavender-a natural anti-histamine with anti-inflammatory properties.
Peppermint-is a natural decongestant with anti-inflammatory properties; this oil can be applied to the neck, under the nostrils (diluted in olive oil) or put in a diffuser.
Eucalyptus- this oil also has anti-inflammatory properties with a menthol smell to help open up nasal passages.
Probiotics
According to Dr. Andrew Weil, babies with a family history of allergies taking probiotics were less prone to allergy related illnesses such as eczema. Probiotics are found to be effective for supporting the immune system–most of which is in the digestive tract–as the healthy bacteria is replenished regularly. Probiotics may help reduce symptoms of allergies as well as help to prevent the development of allergies in children. So, give probiotics to your kids! Take probiotics with a CFU (colony forming unit) count of at least 1 billion; there are specific probiotic brands made for kids that come in a powder form so that you can control the dosage.
Honey
A study from Finland suggested that Birch Pollen Honey reduced symptoms in the 44 allergy sufferers. The theory is that the person will adapt to the pollen from the honey and reduce their immune response to the pollen in the air. So, you can try eating local honey with pollen added to test the effectiveness for yourself.
Add these items to your cupboard or purse and make sure they are on hand for the season of sneezing.
Photo credit: nutmeg 66
