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5 Common Home Remedies to Help Escape the Allergy Blues
By Dr. Reecha Patel, ND
The Beginning of Spring Every Spring we are welcomed with endless rain and a glimmer of hope that summer is just around the corner. Especially for us in Chicago this is the time of the year we look forward to all winter long. With the warmth, however, comes the need to use endless tissue papers as a vast majority of us deal with allergy season. Ah yes, allergy season, causing us to hate going outdoors, constantly being stuffy, and basically making it impossible to enjoy the arrival of spring. Well if you are like the hundreds who deal with allergy season, then continue reading because these naturopathic remedies will truly help you.
April Showers Bring May Flowers Bringing Allergies During allergy season it is common to feel congested, have difficulty breathing, and experience post nasal drip. With the help from these five naturopathy treatments, you will be able to relieve allergy symptoms naturally from the comfort of your own home.
1. Wet Sock Treatment It’s a simple hydrotherapy technic used to treat congestion in the head and chest area. This treatment will help stimulate your immune system to fight infections in the upper respiratory tract with conditions such as the common cold and flu, sinus infections, headaches, earaches and sore throat. All you need are a pair of wool socks, cotton socks, and water, all three easily found in your home. Just warm your feet, put on cotton socks soaked in cold water and over those put on the dry wool socks, leave them on overnight and wait for the amazing results in the morning. This treatment works well to improve ease of breathing, blood circulation, and provide restful sleep.
2. Neti-Pot Rinse
These are great for those who are looking an instant relief from all that congestions. It is a great technique which is used to flush the sinuses of any debris or pollen which may be in your mucus membranes. It also helps clear the sinuses of any congestion, loosen phlegm, and makes breathing a littler easier. Neti-pots are commonly found at local pharmacies and grocery stores, making it easily accessible to all.
3. Dietary Considerations There are certain foods which should be avoided while dealing with allergy season. Trust me, lowering the intake of these foods or eliminating them completely will do you wonders. One of the food items to avoid is dairy. Avoiding dairy will help as it is inflammatory and will contribute towards increasing sinus congestion. Dairy contains a protein called casein, which when consumed in high quantities can worsen allergies by impacting the immune system to slow down. Opt for dairy free alternatives while dealing with allergies.
4. Steam Inhalation This one is simple and can be done on a regular basis for its overall benefits. Increasing humidity can help thin the mucus in your sinuses, making it easier to breath and ease the release of mucus. Steam inhalation can be done easily at home with the use of facial steamers, hot showers, or simply hot water in a bowl. Using essential oils such as peppermint, eucalyptus, and menthol could also aid in the process; their antibacterial, astringent, and antibacterial effects can make it easier on you when dealing with allergies.
5. Probiotics Treating the gut throughout the year is essential, however, it is crucial to continue treating it while going through allergy season. The gut is related to the rest of the body especially our very own immune systems. If the gut is weak it will essentially weaken the immune system, making it harder to get over all the allergy symptoms. The use of probiotics will strengthen your digestive tract which in turn will improve the immune system and aid in improving symptoms of seasonal allergies.
Dr. Reecha Patel, ND
Naturopathic Doctor and Nutritionist