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Pollen allergy is a very common condition that millions of people experience each year. Although usually harmless, symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, and increased sinus pressure due to seasonal allergies are not a minor nuisance in everyday life. If you suffer from frequent severe pollen allergies, it's best to see an allergist. Your doctor may give you medication or injections to reduce your body's sensitivity to the allergy-causing histamine. However, if you want to avoid medications, you can use some natural antihistamines. These therapies are rarely as effective as drugs, and studies are not clear, but they may work for you. If you have treated your allergies on your own and still does not improve, see an allergist for treatment.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Reduce nasal congestion and inflammation
Allergies are caused by the histamine in the pollen that stimulates the body's immune response, causing nasal congestion and inflammation. There are a number of natural compounds that can help block histamine, reduce inflammation, loosen mucus, and alleviate general allergic symptoms. Try some of the following foods and spices to see if they work. If not, you can take an over-the-counter antihistamine instead of using other common methods.
Clear the airways with cayenne pepper. Cayenne peppers contain capsaicin, a compound that works to thin mucus and clear sinuses. A little bit of cayenne pepper added to food may help you breathe easier when allergy symptoms appear.
- Cayenne peppers can be very spicy, so add more slowly to foods. Only add ½ teaspoon of chili (2.5 grams) at a time so the dish doesn't get too spicy.
- There is no universal dose for everyone, but if taken correctly, you should have no side effects unless you are allergic to cayenne peppers or often have heartburn. In these cases, you should avoid using cayenne peppers.
Use turmeric to reduce inflammation. Turmeric, especially the curcumin compound, naturally reduces inflammation in the airways caused by allergies. Try adding turmeric to your diet to see if it makes it easier for you to breathe. This Indian spice is widely used in Asian dishes, so it is easy to find recipes with turmeric.- Turmeric can be safely consumed in relatively high doses, even above 2,500 mg, so you can add it to your diet without having to worry about serious side effects.
- You can also mix turmeric with other spices like cayenne pepper powder and garlic powder to spice up foods that are both delicious and anti-allergic.
Eat foods containing quercetin to stimulate an immune response. Quercetin is a compound found in many fruits and vegetables that inhibits histamine and reduces inflammation in the airways. This property can help ease the symptoms, so add quercetin-rich foods to your diet when an allergy flares up.- Onions are high in quercetin and also work to clear the sinuses.
- Other foods that contain quercetin include apples, broccoli, green leafy vegetables, berries, grapes, and wine.
Try using garlic to loosen mucus. Garlic can thin and loosen mucus in the airways, making you more comfortable during an allergy. Try adding 1-2 cloves of garlic to your daily diet to see if allergy symptoms subside.
- 1-2 cloves of raw garlic per day are considered a safe dosage. You can also use up to 300 mg of garlic powder.
- High doses of garlic can interact with anticoagulants and make it difficult for blood to clot. If you have blood clotting problems, consult your doctor before you start eating garlic.
Drink stinging nettle tea to inhibit histamine. Stinging nettle has been shown to have some effects as an antihistamine. The most common use is to drink a tea blend that contains a nettle ingredient. Try drinking 3-4 cups a day to see if it helps.
- The maximum safe dosage of stinging nettle is 150 mg per day.
- Never eat live stinging nettle. There are many spines on the leaves of a nettle that have only been removed through treatment.
Eat pineapple to reduce nasal swelling. In pineapple there is bromelain, an enzyme with natural properties that help treat inflammation and congestion caused by allergies. Try to eat 1-2 servings of pineapple a day when you have an allergy to see if it helps you.
Add fresh ginger to food. Ginger is another spice that can help reduce rhinitis.You can scrape a little ginger into your food to create a unique flavor and help relieve allergy symptoms.
- Recommended ginger dosage ranges from 50 mg to 2 g per day. You should start at the lowest level to make sure you don't experience any side effects.
- You can also drink ginger tea by brewing tea bags or boiling fresh ginger in water.
Method 2 of 2: Allergy prevention
Besides inhibiting histamine and relieving symptoms, you can take natural remedies to prevent allergies. The following nutrients can enhance the body's immune response and prevent allergic symptoms from occurring. If that doesn't work, ask your allergist about oral medications or injections to help tolerate your immune system with allergens.
Enhance immune response with vitamin C. There is evidence that a stronger immune system may help the body fight allergies better. Try increasing your vitamin C intake to support your immune system and reduce your susceptibility to allergens.
- Good sources of vitamin C include bell peppers, green leafy vegetables, citrus fruits and apples.
- The recommended dose for vitamin C is 65-90 mg per day. Most adults can get enough vitamin C through a regular diet, as long as it includes fruits and vegetables.
Supplement with omega-3 to reduce inflammation in the body. Allergens increase inflammation in the airways, so controlling inflammation can be an effective preventative measure. Omega-3s are natural anti-inflammatory and may help support the immune system. You should aim to get 1-1.6 g of omega-3s per day through your diet for best results.
- Foods rich in omega-3 include fish oils, nuts, seeds, avocados and beans.
Drink green tea to increase its antioxidant content. Antioxidants can help the body fight allergies, and green tea is an excellent source of these nutrients. Try drinking 2-3 cups of green tea daily regularly to maintain a high level of antioxidants to see if allergies are prevented.
- You can also try drinking green tea as soon as you feel any signs of allergy appear. This can help keep your body strong enough to fight off allergens.
Use locally produced honey to increase pollen tolerance. Locally produced honey has a pollen ingredient in your area, and this may help to gradually decrease your body's susceptibility to local pollen. While the evidence for the effectiveness of this approach is unclear, you can give it a try. Add 1 g of honey to your diet each day to see if this works.
- Honey is also a natural anti-inflammatory, so using honey during an allergy flare-up can help relieve symptoms.
Medical treatment
Certain natural foods and nutrients act as antihistamines and have the ability to treat or prevent allergy symptoms. These compounds are generally safe, so you can supplement your diet to see if they are effective. However, research on these therapies has been mixed, and they are generally not as effective as conventional treatments such as drugs. If home remedies do not improve your allergy, see an allergist for treatment and correction.
Advice
- Nutrients like quercetin, capsaicin, and curcumin are also available as supplements. Ask your doctor if they are right for you.
Warning
- All herbs and nutrients carry an allergic reaction risk. Stop using immediately if you notice signs of hives, rash, or itching ,. If you notice swelling in your mouth or throat, you should call emergency services right away.
