Spring brings a little more than just beautiful blooms and balmy temperatures. It’s a bit of an oxymoron that, as soon as Mother Nature delivers some beautiful weather, many of us start sneezing and suffering with watery, itchy eyes. What should be a wonderful season can be dreadful, but it doesn’t need to be. Tackle this season symptom-free with the help of some natural allergy adversaries.
Keep allergens at bay. When you’re allergic, limiting exposure is key. Get to know what triggers your allergies by keeping a journal. Then keep pollution, pollen and other irritants out by keeping windows closed and irritants out. Designate certain rooms as pet-free, if their dander gets yours up. Regular dusting and vacuuming is a must; enlist the help of a green cleaning service like Greenhouse Eco-Cleaning to make sure you’re doing everything you can to keep allergens where they should be: outside.
Use Food. Did you know that many everyday foods pack a real punch when it comes to your allergy fight? These powerhouses have lots to offer when it comes to the allergy battle:
- Citrus fruit: tackles symptoms with good old vitamin C
- Apples: fend off inflammation with flavonoids
- Red grapes: fight inflammation with antioxidants and resveratrol
- Collard greens: reduces allergic reactions with the help of carotenoids
- Fish and nuts: boost immunity and fight inflammation with the help of omega-3’s
- Pure, local honey: may build natural antibodies to the pollen in your area
Try tools of the trade. It might sound simple, but there are a few natural remedies to help stomp symptoms out before they become unmanageable. A cold compress does wonders for puffy eyes, as do caffeine-based eye creams. And a neti pot, an ancient Indian ceramic pot used for natural nasal cleansing, can be very helpful when it comes to relieving congestion and pressure. Herbalists say a few drops of oregano in a glass of water or vaporizer can help with congestion and sore throats as well.
Know your counts. If you suffer with seasonal allergies, it helps to know what you’re up against. The internet, local television and radio stations track pollen counts and report them regularly during allergy season to help folks know when it’s safe to get out and enjoy the weather and when it might make sense to stay home. This year’s long, cold winter most likely means a delayed pollen spike, but when it does come, look out for new heights.
Talk to us: If you suffer with seasonal allergies, we want to hear from you! Have you found natural ways to combat your symptoms? If so, let us know!
image courtesy of Jim Lukach/CC BY 2.0