Following are the 15 most recommended ways to fight allergies in a natural way. It is always recommended to consult a doctor before to taking up any medicine or natural remedy for allergies.
1. Avoid outdoors when pollen level is high. Check allergy forecast on websites like pollen.com and avoiding outdoors when level is above 9 points, that site is also very good to find good allergy information and equipment.
2. Eat natural Anti-histamine foods: Onions, garlic, Citrus fruits like lemon and oranges contain natural antihistamines. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids are also known to help. You should definitely consider increasing these foods in your diet.
3. Nasal Rinse : A very effective way to rinse of all the pollen struck in your nasal passages. This will also drain out some bacteria too. There are quite a few available with PH balancing salt to mix with filtered/boiled home water so there is no water irritation while doing the rinse. You should consider doing nasal rinse twice a day.
4. Air Purifiers : This is the MOST effective anti-allergy device for many people. Especially when at home in the evenings and night, helps to get you a good night sleep. Some filters have an additional 'ionic' feature which many people like me prefer not to use. These HEPA compatible filters take out most of the pollen from air around you. Dehumidifiers can be used to lessen mold which is another cause of allergies.
5. Local honey : It is recommended that you start eating about 1-2 teaspoons of locally grown natural honey before the allergy season starts. Bees are known to collect pollen from local plants. Therefore honey is known to have some low levels of pollen, and taking it before the season helps your body to get use to some pollen level in advance before the full blown season strikes.
6. Pollen free home: Please clean your carpets, bed sheets, floors and curtains, say at least once in a week. Get a Hepa certified vacuum cleaner so the air coming out from your vacuum cleaner does not dump the pollen back in the air of your home. You can find these under $100 in most retail outlets.
7. Hot liquids are helpful to get relief from congestion; Green tea works well and also has antioxidants. Please be careful while handling the hot liquids. Marshmallow Root is also a good decongestant. Taking light steam also relieves congestion.
8. Light exercise: Congestion and running nose can often lead to a weaker respiratory system. Light exercise like brisk walking or indoor exercise cycle can give power to your lungs. But be practical, do not over stress yourself.
9. Smart Planning: Usually pollen counts are low after rain. If your local forecast says that its going to rain in next 1-2 days, then prefer doing your pending work after that. But if necessary to work in garden or cut grass then use a pollen mask.
10. What are allergic to: Check with your doctor if they can do a detailed allergy check for you to find what type of pollens you are exactly allergic to. For example if you are allergic to grass pollen, you know lawn mowing is not the best thing to do yourself and hiring a gardener may be a better choice.
11. Pets: If you have any pets at home, its a good idea to give them regular bath too.
12. Avoiding foods: Avoid any foods you know that you are allergic to and may trigger allergies.
13. Evening Shower: When you come home in the evening, take a warm shower and wash your hair. Hair's can hold lot of pollen while you were out.
14. Window filter: Keep doors and windows closed most of the time (or little open); consider buying anti pollen window filter screen. Basically a screen you can put on the window which allows the air to pass through but keeps the pollen out.
15. Overall Cleanliness: Wash your eyes and hands regularly with water. Not only it will drain away those pollens but also some give relief to your eyes.
Quite a few people prefer taking anti-allergic medicines and flu shots, not always by choice but sometimes natural approaches are not enough.
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