Do you ever feel like your nose runs 24/7? Are your eyes perpetually itchy. Have you given up on the possibility of feeling healthy?
If you’re one of those people who feels sick literally all the time (but is never actually sick), you’re not crying wolf. More likely, you––like approximately 54.6% of the U.S. population––are adverse to one or more allergens.
Allergies are your immune system’s way of responding to things your body doesn’t like, whether that’s pollen, dander, mold, or a food allergy. While allergies are, essentially, serving your body, they can still feel like an obstacle on your way to feeling good.
One of the best ways to sidestep allergies is to avoid the triggers that set them off. Unfortunately, if you’re allergic to something as universal as, say, grass, that’s kind of a big ask.
The good news: there are ways to find allergy relief that don’t involve staying indoors for eternity or developing an over-the-counter antihistamine habit.
For everyone sniffling as they read this article, we did the noble work of getting in touch with a few holistic experts for their tips regarding natural remedies for allergy relief. Here’s what they said:
From: Jay Woody, MD, FACEP, chief medical officer of Intuitive Health and a co-founder of Legacy ER & Urgent Care
Studies have shown that consuming just one tablespoon of locally harvested raw honey can help ward off allergy symptoms. It’s an ancient remedy that’s been around for centuries, because it’s just that effective. Honey contains bee pollen, which is thought to prevent and treat infections and allergies in addition to providing an immunity boost. It’s one of nature’s best medicines.
2. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been used as a natural treatment for a number of ailments, but it’s also considered a viable technique to treat some of the symptoms associated with springtime allergies and hay fever while offering an immunity boost.
KOR Shot’s Gut Check wellness shot contains your daily dose of the best organic and cold-pressed apple cider vinegar, with the added health benefits of the mother included.
3. Eucalyptus oil
Eucalyptus oil can be extremely effective when it comes to treating the symptoms associated with allergies, and it’s very versatile to use. You can put it in a diffuser, a neti pot, or even add about 25 drops into your laundry for an extra allergy-fighting immunity boost.
4. Be selective about the times you spend outside.
No one wants to spend all of allergy season indoors. If you’re careful about when you choose to go outside, you can create an allergy-smart schedule that allows you to enjoy the great outdoors, without stirring up your sinuses too much.
Dry, windy days are by far the worst for allergy sufferers, as pollen and allergens get blown around. The best time to go out is right after it rains, since the precipitation helps clear the air. You may also want to plan your daily activities around the daily pollen count. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology has an extremely user-friendly map that allows you to explore pollen counts right where you live.
5. Clean your home’s air.
You might assume that the threat remains outside, but pollen can still find its way inside your home. Once it’s inside, pollen can stick to things like your clothes and skin. After spending time outdoors, be sure to remove garments to be laundered right away, and take a shower to remove any lingering pollen from your body. Pro-tip: don’t forget to remove your shoes! During the peak of allergy season, you should opt for AC rather than open windows, and make sure to clean your HVAC filters regularly.
6. Consult a doctor.
For specialized treatment tailored to you, consult your doctor or local urgent care center. It’s possible that you may need to switch or combine medications or that your symptoms may not be indicative of allergies at all. Sometimes, the bad bout of allergies we think we’re experiencing can be caused by other illnesses. It’s best to confirm the root of the problem before seeking self-treatment.
From: Megan Swan, Mindset + Wellness Coach at Megan Swan Wellness
7. Test for dairy sensitivities.
If you’re suffering from allergies and looking for natural treatment, my first questions would be: “Are you consuming dairy? How much dairy? What kind?”
Dairy creates mucus in the body, and some clients experience allergy flare ups when they are consuming a lot of it. If allergies are a concern, give a dairy elimination diet a try. If it doesn’t solve the problem, you can at least cross it off your list as a possible allergy source.
8. Maybe reconsider that glass of wine (please don’t hate us!).
Red wine has more sneaky downsides than the dreaded morning headache and how it *whoops* *accidentally* makes you text your ex again. The sulphates in red wine are actually a very common allergen that most people don’t consider.
Similarly to dairy, you may want to eliminate red wine consumption for a period of time to test its effect on you. During peak allergy season, you may even want to eliminate dairy and red wine all together.
9. Experiment with essential oils.
My go-to solution for natural allergy relief is incorporating essential oils into your daily routine. You use an essential oil diffuser or make your own spray to mist over yourself to prevent and relieve symptoms.
This is my all time favorite combination for combating allergies, but go ahead and experiment with what works for you:
You can also get the benefits of these essential oils by drinking herbal teas, such as lavender, peppermint and lemon tea. These natural remedies work in tandem to relax the inflammatory response, calm your system, and naturally detox any unwanted intruders.
From: Jean Campbell Founder and Wellness Expert with Align Mat
One of the best ways to cure allergies naturally that you can easily find in your home’s pantry is green tea––a natural antihistamine. I’d recommend drinking two cups of green tea each day, for two-week periods before allergy season starts. This will help prevent the usual signs of congestion.
11. Butterbur
Butterbur not only blocks allergies but also over-the-counter antihistamines. I always recommend people consult with their doctor before opting for butterbur, as it contains an ingredient that can be dangerous to your liver and lungs. Definitely avoid using butterbur if you’re allergic to ragweed, marigolds, or daisies.
12. Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is a type of rich young grass that belongs to the wheat family. It’s one of the best herbs to consume if you’re having trouble with allergies, because it helps to build a stronger immune system, naturally providing a powerful immunity boost. Side note: if you have severe gluten allergies, you may want to check with your doctor before incorporating wheatgrass into your wellness routine.
I’d suggest consuming this herb in the form of a cold pressed shot, as it helps to increase the number of red blood cells in the body, which are the sole reason for giving us an immunity boost. Moreover, wheatgrass juice also increases the alkalinity levels of your blood, which reduces acidity and makes the body less susceptible to inflammation and other allergy symptoms.
If you really want to benefit from wheatgrass juice shots, I’d recommend drinking 1 to 2 ounces per day (the exact dose of KOR Shot’s Green Up wellness shot), and then increase your intake as needed.
For best results, drink the juice shot on an empty stomach and swish it in your mouth to nourish your gums. Raw nutrients and enzymes, such as all B group vitamins, calcium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, vitamin A, C, E, and K Plus, and many more, make it possible for this young grass to cure allergies while giving you a healthy immunity boost.
13. Spirulina
Spirulina is a great natural remedy to cure nasal allergies. This natural herb contains proteins, such as the blue-green algae, which help to reduce the release of histamine from mast cells.
Spirulina is highly concentrated in protein and nutrient content, which makes it possible to reduce the allergic symptoms that one faces such as itching, nasal discharge, congestion, and sneezing. This natural herb boosts the cytokines and interferon levels which then send signals to the immune fighters of our bodies, giving us a clean immunity boost.
If you’re undergoing symptoms of allergic rhinitis, I’d recommend consuming 2,000mg of spirulina every day for 12-weeks in order to improve the condition.
Looking to get an immunity boost from wheatgrass and spirulina in one quick and convenient wellness shot? KOR Shot’s Green Up wellness shot is the 1.7 oz of natural allergy relief you need to get through this sniffly season.
If there’s anything to take away from this article, it’s that allergies don’t have to be a way of life. A combination of natural remedies and KOR Shot’s Gut Check wellness shot and Green Up wellness shot can go a long way in reducing your sniffles, so your every day can be better and brighter.