Allergies are a common ailment that millions of people must struggle with every day. They can be a mild inconvenience or they can be debilitating due to their severity. Allergies are caused by our body producing one of several chemicals into our systems in reaction to being exposed to certain substances which we are sensitive to. We still don’t know for sure what causes allergies, but dealing with them is a lot easier with medications or home remedies for allergies to reduce the generation of these reactive chemicals.
There are also a lot of great home remedies that have been used for hundreds or in some cases thousands of years to help alleviates the symptoms of allergies. These remedies can save you money and time over using OTC or prescription medications. In many cases these home remedies for allergies are just as effective and don’t have as many possible side effects.
1. Saline Solution
Saline solution is a simple and effective way to sooth irritated nasal and upper respiratory tissues, which have been inflamed by exposure to allergens. Ready made saline solution can be bought at any grocery store or pharmacy.
You can also make your own simple saline solution using distilled water, common baking soda, and table salt. This is a great way to help reduce the symptoms of sinus allergies during your peak season. Before using this remedy talk to our doctor if you have blood pressure issues or are on a sodium restricted diet.
Necessary items
– Saline Solution
Bending over a sink (or using a Nellie pot) flush the sinus nasal passage and sinus cavity with slightly warmed saline solution. Let the solution fill the sinus cavity and flow to the back of the throat before draining out through the mouth. Repeat nightly during sinus allergy season
2. Drink Peppermint Tea
People have known for centuries that peppermint had a great many healing properties. It has been used for a long time as one of the most common home remedies for allergies due to its anti-inflammatory benefits. It can help to reduce sinus swelling by reducing inflammation in the mucus membranes.
Peppermint tea can also be used as a decongestant, and can help with other sinus issues due to its anti-bacterial benefits. The most common method for easing allergies is to make a tea. This method should not be used by people with asthma or children as the menthol in the peppermint can lead to breathing issues.
Necessary items
-1-quart jar -1/2 ounce of dried peppermint leaves -Distilled water
-Honey
Place the dried leaves in the jar. Bring the water to a boil, and then slowly pour into the jar, covering it with a piece of cheesecloth. You may want to breath in the steam, as the tea steeps for added benefits. Let steep for five minutes before straining into a tea pot. Cool to a drinkable temperature. Drink every evening during your sinus allergy season.
3. Licorice
Licorice has been used in Asian cultures to control hayfever, sinus allergies and other respiratory conditions for centuries. The main component of licorice has been shown to inhibit the cellular activity of the parts of the body that promote reactions to allergens. Licorice also is good for reducing inflammation and to increase cortisol levels, a key hormone that contracts histamine, the hormones that causes allergy symptoms to flare up.
Licorice can be taken as a tea, as a candy, or as a lozenge. You can find licorice lozenges and pure licorice candy at most health food stores. To make licorice tea, which is one of the best home remedies for allergies, follow these directions:
- You can get dried licorice root at any health food store in the produce area.
- Never use licorice tea for more than a week as it can have unpleasant side effects.
- Talk to your doctor before using it if you are on medication as it can cause some interactions.
Necessary items
– 8oz distilled water
-1tsp dried licorice root
Bring water to a boil and place the licorice root into the pot. Simmer for a few moments and then remove from heat. Let steep for five minutes before straining into tea cup. Sip gently over a few minutes. Repeat nightly for up to one week but no longer with a few days’ break.
4. Garlic
Garlic contains a compound called quercetin which has significant anti-inflammatory properties and serves as a mast cell stabilizer. As such it can prevent cells from reacting to sensitive substances and producing histamine. Fresh garlic can be found in any grocery store produce section. There are several ways to use garlic, the most common for allergies is as a steam inhalation. It is among the most widely recognized home remedies for allergies around.
Necessary items
-3-4 cloves of fresh garlic, peeled and broken in half -1 quart of Distilled water
-Tea towel
Bring water to a boil in a tea kettle and drop in the garlic cloves. Let the water continue to boil for a few minutes and then remove from heat. Pour the water into a large bowl and cover half of the top of the bowl with the tea towel. Lean over the bowl and breath in the steam, from the open half slowly before releasing it through the mouth. Do this for up to 10 minutes. Repeat nightly when sinus allergies are at their worst.
5. Reishi Mushroom
Reishi Mushroom has been known for centuries as a main line herbal medicinal. It has been called the medicine of the kings as well as the mushroom or immortality. The amazing health benefits of this fungus have been documents by the Japanese, the Indians, and the Chinese. The secret to its effectiveness as an allergy remedy is the compound lanostan which is a natural antihistamine.
You can find Reishi Mushrooms and other home remedies for allergies at better health food markets and many holistic healing stores. Using it as a tea is best, but you can also use it as a steam inhalant, and as a ground additive for sprinkling on food. Reishi mushrooms can also be found as a liquid extract or a capsule.
Necessary items
-1 large Reishi Mushroom -cheese grater
-distilled water
Bring the water to a boil. In the meantime grate a large chunk of the mushroom on the large side of the grater. Place the grated mushroom into a tea pot and fill the pot with the boiling water. Cover the pot with a tea coy and let steep for up to 10 minutes. Drink slowly. Repeat several times a week for best results.
6. Tinospora cordifolia
Used throughout India for centuries for a wide variety of health conditions Tinospora cordifolia is great for the treatment of mild to moderate allergy symptoms. When taken ins tablet form is can stop nasal drip, prevent itchy, watery eyes, and alleviate sinus pressure. Available at most health food retailers and holistic healing stores, its effective in less than 24 hours in helping to get allergy symptoms under control.
Necessary items
– Tinospora cordifolia tablets
Take two tables in the morning during your sinus allergy season. During the peak of the season a third tablet may be taken for up to two weeks in the evening if needed. Make sure you are drinking lots of water while taking these tablets to prevent dehydration.
7. Ginkgo biloba
Gingko Biloba has been known for years for its positive effects on memory, cardiovascular health, anti-inflammatory effects and more. One of the things that is not commonly known about Gingko is that it contains seven natural antihistamine compounds. This is nature’s own allergy medicine, ready to use. You can get 100% pure gingko capsules at any health food store, or online at major retailers such as Amazon.
Necessary items
-100% pure Gingko Biloba capsules
Take two capsules in the morning every day during your peak allergy period to alleviate inflammation and reduce histamine production.
8. Phleum pretense
The use of pollen extract from the plant Phleum pretense has a significant effect on the reduction or in some cases elimination of symptoms of sinus and nasal allergies. The herb and its pollen can be administered in a wide variety of ways, but the most common method is sublingually. In children, it reduces susceptibility to asthma symptoms.
However, you should take great care in using this home remedy for allergies, as it can lead to dehydration and in some very rare cases headaches.
Necessary items
-Phleum Pretense Pollen Extract
-water
Place 2-3 drops of extract under the tongue in the morning and let absorb. Do not eat or drink for 15 minutes. Follow up with a large glass of water and make sure to drink lots of water through the day to avoid dehydration
9. Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus Globulus)
Native to Australia, the eucalyptus plant is actually an entire group of tree pants that secrete an oil though their leaves. Eucalyptus oil is an essential component of many remedies for anxiety, allergies, asthmas, sore muscles, headaches, depression, and high blood pressure. The oil’s calming and relaxing properties are excellent for reducing inflammation and relieving sinus pressure.
It can also help relieve itching of the eyes and reduce puffiness, making it one of the best home remedies for allergies. Eucalyptus oil is able to be bought at any health food retailer, holistic healing store, or herbalist shop. Do not use this remedy if you are pregnant or breast feeding and do not over use as large amounts of eucalyptus oil can be poisonous.
Necessary items
-100% pure Eucalyptus oil -vaporizer or steam inhaler
-distilled water
Place distilled water into a vaporizer or steam inhaler. Put 3-4 drops of eucalyptus oil into the water and turn the device on. Once the device begins to produce steam of vapor inhale slowly for several minutes, breathing in through the nose and out of the mouth. Repeat nightly during the height of your sinus allergy seasons. For serious cases, you can even combine a few of these home remedies for allergies.
10. Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)
Eyebright is a plant that grows low to the ground in meadows and grassy fields thought e the UK and most of rural Europe. The blooms which occur in the summer can be harvested and dried to be used in medical compounds. It is effective in the treatment of eye ailments & allergies, as well as being used as a home remedy for mild Alzheimer’s and memory trouble. Be mindful of possible side effects which occur rarely including swollen eyelids, watery eyes, changes in eye pressure.
Necessary items
-dried eyebright leaves
-1 cup whole milk
Used as an infusion bring milk to a high temperature and soak the Eyebright in it for 20 minutes, making sure that you do not let the milk boil. Use the infusion as a warm compress for the eyes 2 times a day, morning and night during the height of your eye allergy season.
11. Chamomile
For more than 2 centuries chamomile has been known as a remedy for many medical conditions, and is one of the most common used home remedies for allergies. The soothing and relaxing properties of chamomile make it the idea remedy for sinus congestion, puffy eyes, itchy watery eyes, and irritated nasal tissues.
Chamomile is able to be found commonly in two forms, Russian chamomile (also called English chamomile) is a different plant from true chamomile (known as German c.) but they have many similar properties and can be used interchangeably. Find them in the herbal section of your health food retailer. Some possible and rare side effects include throat swelling, shortness of breath and mild skin rash.
Necessary items
-1 tablespoon of chamomile flowers
-distilled water
Bring the water to a boil. Pour into a tea pot and add the chamomile flowers. Cover with a tea cozy and let step for 15 minutes. Drink with a bit of honey if desired up to three times a day to help with general allergy issues during your allergy season.
12. Ephedra (Ephedra sinica, Ephedra viridis)
Ephedra, also known under the Asian name of huang, has been used in Chinese medicine for over 5000 years. During this time, it helped locals fight respiratory, sinus, and allergy conditions, making it one of the oldest home remedies for allergies. It was once used as a dietary supplement in the US for weight loss, and after controversy it sale was banned for OTC sale and all weight loss usage.
Some also call it Mormon tea, and you can still obtain it if you have a prescription by a herbologist or a practitioner of Asian medicine. However, you can only purchase it from a herbal pharmacy behind the counter. Be careful, though, to avoid large amounts or using it at all if you have nervous conditions or heart disease.
Necessary items
Take two capsule (no more) in the morning during the height of your allergy season and for no longer than 2-3 weeks maximum. Be mindful to not consume any caffeine contain beverages or food for at least three hours after taking the capsules.
Conclusion
These home remedies for allergies are a simple way to alleviate the symptoms that you suffer from and help you get back to living your life. They can save you money and help you control your allergies without the possible side effects of OTC or prescription medications. Many times, they are just as or even more effective. Try them today and start enjoying a life that is free of allergy discomfort and inconvenience.
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