Allergies Schmallergies

Are you suffering? Does your head feel like one big itch, your nose a non-stop snot factory, your eyes itchy pools of tear? I know how that feels, and it's no fun. Of course you can take one of the prescription allergy medications, but you can also take some steps to help alleviate the imbalance at the core, and calm your system. Here are a few natural remedies that truly are effective - I've personally used them with great success.

1. Daily Saline Nasal Wash
This really is the most important element. Washing your nasal passage cleans mucus from the nose so medication is more effective, removes allergens and irritants, removes bacteria and viruses reducing the frequency of infection, decreases swelling in the nose and increases air flow. Let's be honest: it doesn't feel so awesome in the moment (but it's not THAT bad, you get used to it), however the effects are readily apparent just minutes later. Get yourself an all-natural saline wash from the drug store (read the ingredients, there shouldn't be a big list of chemicals) or, make your own by adding 1/2 teaspoon sea or epsom (un-iodized) salt to 1 glass of warm distilled or spring water. Add this to a squirt bottle, or use a bulb syringe, and take the mixture to the shower. Tip your head sideways and gently squirt the mixture up the nostril on top. It may come through your other nasal passage or into your throat - don't worry. Do each side twice, every morning. A couple great products that come with the solution and the squirt bottle are Nasaline and Saltaire.

2. Aller-max by Biochem
This product, consisting of natural remedies such as Vitamin C, Quercetin, and NAC , as well as herbal extracts of Bromelian and Stinging Nettle is truly powerful. I have tried it myself and recommended it to clients with great success. You can find more information about it, here.

3. Local Honey
Many seasonal allergies come from pollen, and guess what - that's what bees use to make honey. Using the logic of vaccination, introducing the irritant in minute amounts helps your system build antibodies to combat it, effectively helping your symptoms decrease. Honey also provides powerful immune-system support, which you need when your system is under siege by allergens . Get raw, unfiltered honey made within 20 miles of your house, and incorporate it as a sweetener into your culinary practices.


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Comments

I enthusiastically second the value of a daily saline nasal wash. I do this at least in the morning and evening and occasionally during the day when I am especially stuffy/itchy.

Two suggestions and a caveat:
- I add one part baking soda for each three parts salt to buffer the solution.
- When traveling (Especially when going through an airport), a little ziplock bag of white of powder is probably unwise. I get packs of the commercial, sealed packets and travel with those instead.
- Just be sure not to try to do it if your nose is completely blocked. That is unpleasant and unproductive.

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