Learn six all-natural ways to keep fall allergies in check with these easy tips in this guest post from Calie Shackleford of Broccoli Cupcake.
Note from Kelly: I too have personally tried most of the tips below and am now free from using our once mandatory Claritin and Flonase. I used these on a daily basis and now during peak allergy season I use the last two remedies she lists below, the Roobios Tea and Sabadil and no more sinus infections!
For as long as I can remember, I struggled with itchy eyes, a stuffy nose, irritated nasal passages, and chronic sinus infections thanks to fall allergies, otherwise known as mold and weeds. I had pretty much accepted these painful and irritating symptoms as part of fall–my favorite season–until we started changing our diet and working to naturally boost our immune systems. That’s when I first experienced an almost symptom-free fall allergy season and went three years without a sinus infection. My son had a similar experience. After almost two years of daily Singulair to keep his allergies in check he was taken off his medicine by his allergist. I considered that a huge success and a great testimony to the power of clean eating.
The Power of Clean Eating
Below are six natural practices that helped us get our fall allergies in check.
- Eliminating dairy – It’s hard to explain for sure why this helped, buy it’s possible we had an undiagnosed sensitivity to dairy.
- Eliminating sugar – We significantly cut back on our sugar intake. This helped reduce inflammation in the body and made the immune system stronger. Did you know that just a teaspoon of sugar can make your immune system 50% less effective for hours?
- Going organic – We made this a priority in our family’s grocery budget. (Find coupons for organic and natural foods HERE.) The goal was to try to eliminate other toxins in our bodies that might be taxing our immune system and/or our bodies’ elimination systems.
- Eliminating processed foods – We started shopping the outside aisles at the grocery store, which meant we were eating a lot of fruits and veggies and a lot less preservatives, food dyes, and other potentially harmful chemicals that might be making our immune systems and elimination systems work overtime.
- Drinking Thai-Go – It’s a blend of fruits and nutritional supplements that boost the immune system and enhance the cardiovascular system. It’s loaded with xanothens, bioflavonoids and antioxidants.
- Taking Probiotics – These aid in digestion and the body’s elimination of toxins and help improve overall immune system function.
I found these ideas to be a powerful line of defense in preventing allergies rather than just treating the symptoms.
More Natural Remedies
If your itchy eyes, stuffy nose, and sinus pressure are already full-blown consider giving one of these natural remedies a try.
- Boiron Sabadil – This little pill dissolves under your tongue and is gets rave reviews for relieving respiratory and eye reactions associated with allergies. I haven’t tried it, but I would definitely consider it.
- Rooibos Tea – This tasty tea comes from a bush in South Africa and is loaded with antioxidants and the bioflavonoids Rutin and Quercetin – pure magic for allergy suffers. These powerful bioflavonoids run interference with your body’s histamine and help reduce inflammation and overall allergy symptoms. I like the Haute Chocolate Rooibos for fall.
What are the most effective natural tools you’ve found for preventing and treating allergy symptoms? With colds and flu season upon us, I’d love to hear your tips.
Want to learn more about Healthy Living? Check out these posts:
- Natural Cold Remedies
- 10 Money-Saving Tips for Buying Organic Foods
- Homemade Gift Ideas: Natural Skincare Products
About Calie at Broccoli Cupcake:
Calie Shackleford is the author of Broccoli Cupcake; a blog dedicated to inspiring her family, friends and followers to adopt healthy, green lifestyles. She began blogging in 2009 to share her personal wellness journey, and has worked with leading brands such as Nintendo and GE Appliances to introduce healthy new products to readers. She has served as a health and wellness resource and freelance writer for various media outlets including Fox 17 Tennessee Mornings, Yoga Journal and SavvySource.com. Drop her a note via Twitter or Facebook. She’d love to connect with you!
How timely! I just got back from picking up my husband’s allergy “medicine”–a jar of local honey. Taking a tablespoon of local honey every day helps his allergies (and my toddler’s) tremendously!
Some great advice but not affordable for all of us. Organic and fresh & speciality items are much more expensive. A budget of $140/month for a family does not cover this stuff! I’m trying so hard to improve and eliminate the “bad” stuff. I just wish the other “good” stuff wasn’t so expensive.