English: Allergies relief from home remedies:[12,287]

Spring's pollens. Summer's smog. Autumn's falling leaves. Winter's house dust. For millions of people, each change of season brings its own brand of allergy triggers and irritants. For people with common hay fever and allergies, these pollutants can bring on symptoms ranging from a continuous, annoying postnasal drip to a full-scale, coughing sneezing-itchy-eyed allergy attack. For other allergy sufferers, such as those with allergic asthma or an allergy to bee stings, attacks can be fatal.

While life-threatening allergies are a matter of concern to discuss with your doctor, there are many simple home remedies for common allergies that can alleviate some of sniffling and sneezing. In this article, I will show you several safe and effective home remedies to relieve your allergy symptoms using time-tested methods and everyday materials.

Apple cider vinegar:
Apple cider vinegar is an age-old remedy that is often suggested for a variety of health conditions. I have personally used it for allergy and heartburn relief with great success. The theory is that its ability to reduce mucous production and cleanse the lymphatic system makes it useful for allergies.

Mix a teaspoon of organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with 2 T. Honey into a glass (8 oz.) of water and drink this three times a day. This will help you with relief of acute allergy symptoms and seemed to help prevent allergy attacks as well.


Beware of the air:
Breathing polluted air can make your symptoms worse. Keep your windows closed on high-pollen and high-ozone days and avoid cigarette smoke.  In fact, airborne toxins can actually cause allergies in some people. If you suspect that air pollution triggers your attacks, spend as little time outdoors as possible on smoggy days. When you must go outside, wear a surgical mask, especially while exercising. Do not expect miracles (the mask will not screen out all allergens) but it may help you breathe a little easier. Tobacco smoke is a notorious irritant, either causing or aggravating respiratory allergies. Do not let your friends and family foul the air with cigarettes, cigars, or pipes. And, of course, if you still light up, stop it!

A fresh breeze blowing through an open window on a spring day may sound inviting, but its bad news for an allergy sufferer, since it can fill the house with pollen. To minimize contact with the powdery stuff, keep windows closed at all times. Air purifiers, especially those with HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air Filters) filters, may help eliminate indoor pollen, but they also tend to stir up dust, which might worsen some allergies. On a windy day in pollen season, a pair of sunglasses (or your regular prescription eyeglasses, if you wear them) may also help shield your eyes from airborne allergens. For extra protection, try a pair of sunglasses with side shields or even a pair of goggles.

Drink peppermint tea:
Tea has been used for centuries as a remedy for nasal decongestion. However, use caution when giving peppermint tea to children.  Allergy sufferers throughout the centuries have turned to hot tea to provide relief for clogged-up noses and irritated mucous membranes, and one of the best for symptom relief is peppermint tea. Peppermint's benefits extend well beyond its delicious smell; the essential oil acts as a decongestant, and substances in peppermint contain anti-inflammatory and mild antibacterial constituents. To make peppermint tea: Place 1/2 ounce dried peppermint leaves in a 1-quart jar. Fill two-thirds of the jar with boiling water, and steep for five minutes. (You can inhale the steam for added benefit). Let cool, strain, sweeten if desired, and drink. (Note: Peppermint tea should be used with caution in children, as the menthol in peppermint may cause them to choke.)

Dehumidify:
Dehumidifiers remove excess moisture from the air to keep your home smelling fresh and feeling comfortable. Dust mites love a humid environment, which allows them to reproduce like crazy. Invest in a dehumidifier or use an air conditioner, which works equally well. A dehumidifier can also help prevent mold, another allergen, from growing. When cooking or showering, take advantage of the exhaust fan, another way to help keep humidity to a minimum.

Eucalyptus oil:
The strong, pine aroma of eucalyptus oil can supercharge steam inhalation, helping to open your sinuses and nasal passages further. Some research suggests the essential oil, extracted from the leaves of the eucalyptus tree, and has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, but if nothing else the vapor provides a bracing, menthol-like sensation that can make breathing seem easier. Try adding a few drops of oil to a bowl of steaming water, or to the floor of the shower before you step in. Just do not swallow the oil or apply it directly to your skin; it is toxic in concentrated amounts.

Go Bare:
Hardwood floors improve the value of your home and reduce indoor allergens.  Carpets are notorious for being a haven for dust mites (microscopic bugs that feed on the dead skin cells are constantly shed that spur allergies in millions of people). Bare floors, vacuumed and damp-mopped frequently, will help keep your home's dust-mite population down (you cannot get rid of them all). If you can't remove all the carpeting in your home, at least opt for bare floors (if necessary, use small, frequently laundered throw rugs) in your bedroom; studies show the bedroom harbors more dust mites than any other room in the home, and you probably spend about a third of your time there every day. When carpets cannot be removed, keeping them as clean as possible will help you breathe a bit easier. But beware: Many vacuums blast small particles of dust back into the air, leaving behind plenty of allergens to keep you sneezing and wheezing. Use a vacuum that has a built-in HEPA filter or attach a filter to the exhaust port of your canister vacuum (uprights usually do not have an exhaust port). If dust really bothers you and you have the money, consider investing in an industrial-strength vacuuming system.

HEPA filters:
High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters ease symptoms by trapping allergens and other airborne irritants, such as pet dander and dust. Portable air cleaners equipped with HEPA filters can purify the air in bedrooms and other confined spaces, but whole-house systems that incorporate HEPA filters into your home's heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system are generally more effective. Air conditioners and dehumidifiers also can help clean air. They remove moisture from the air and floor, which will curb the growth of the mold and mildew that, can worsen allergies.

Herbs and supplements:
Several herbs and supplements—including spirulina, eyebright, and goldenseal—have been studied for allergy relief. The plant extract butterbur, which is thought to reduce airway inflammation, has produced what are perhaps the strongest results. In a pair of clinical trials led by a Swiss research team, butterbur tablets eased symptoms just as much as the over-the-counter antihistamines fexofenadine and cetirizine, respectively.  It is suggested that you should first try bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple that is sometimes used to curb inflammation after sinus surgery. As it reduces swelling and improves breathing, and it is a safe first step.

Honey:
There is not much scientific evidence to back this one, but there seems to be a lot of anecdotal evidence from people who have tried it. (Even Mark Sisson weighed in on the subject here). The theory is that consuming local honey from where you live will help your body adapt to the allergens in the environment there. This is supposed to work like a natural allergy “shot” and does not seem to have a downside.

Eating honey produced by bees in your region can help relieve allergies. The bees transfer pollen from flower blossoms to honey, so if you eat a little honey every day you will gradually become inoculated against the irritating effects of pollen. That is the widely held theory, anyway. Unfortunately, there is little to no scientific evidence to back it up. Although a small 2011 study from Finland that compared regular honey and pollen-laced honey did report modestly encouraging results, an earlier study by the World Health Organization found that unaltered honey had a small impact on allergy symptoms.

To Use: Consume a teaspoon or more of raw, unprocessed local honey from as close to where you actually live as possible. Do these one or more times a day to help relieve symptoms. It is often suggested to start this a month or so before allergy season.

Neti pots
They may look exotic, but Neti pots are fast becoming a mainstream remedy for allergies and stuffed-up sinuses. The treatment, which involves rinsing your nasal cavity with a saline solution, flushes out allergens (like pollen) and loosens mucus.  Using a Neti pot is simple. First, fill the pot with a mixture of salt and warm water (you can buy premeasured kits or make your own). Then tilt your head to the side and pour the solution in one nostril until it flows out the other, repeating the process on the opposite side. (Important note: Use boiled or distilled water only, as tap water can introduce potentially dangerous organisms into your system.)


Neti pot used with a saline rinse:
The basic theory is that you use a Neti Pot filled with a sterile saline solution to flush out the sinuses of allergens and irritations. Surprisingly, this is recommended by conventional and alternative doctors, and it seems that it does not really have a downside.

To use: Either use a pre-made saline rinse or make your own by dissolving 1 teaspoon of Himalayan or sea salt in a quart of boiled distilled water. Cool completely and put in the Neti Pot. Pour through one nostril and let it drain out the other.

Nettle Leaf
Nettle leaf is another natural antihistamine that can be very effective as it naturally blocks the body’s ability to produce histamine. It grows in many places and can be made in to a tincture or tea, but for allergy relief, capsules made from dried nettle leaves are the easiest and most effective option. Nettle leaf can also be used in combination with other herbs to make a soothing herbal tea for allergy relief. It is often mixed with peppermint leaf and sometimes-red raspberry leaf to make a refreshing allergy relief tea.  Either make a tea or use capsules for acute relief of allergy symptoms.

Probiotics
Allergies are the result of an imbalance in the immune system that causes the body to react too strongly to stimuli. New research links the presence of beneficial bacteria in the gut with reduced incidence of allergies. Evidence is even emerging that a mother’s gut bacteria during pregnancy and nursing can affect a child’s likelihood of getting allergies throughout life.

While we cannot do much about our mothers’ diets while they were pregnant, balancing gut bacteria now and consuming enough beneficial bacteria can have a positive effect on allergies now. Fermented foods and drinks like Kombucha or Kefir can help boost gut bacteria, as can a high quality probiotic capsule.

Quercetin
Quercetin is a natural bioflavonoid that is said to help stabilize mast cells to keep them from releasing histamine. It is also a potent antioxidant that is said to help reduce inflammation. It is best used as a long-term remedy and many people start taking it about 4-6 weeks before allergy season to help prevent allergy symptoms.

As with any herb, you should check with your doctor before using, especially if you have a liver problem, are pregnant, or are on hormonal contraceptives.

To Use: Though Quercetin is naturally found in foods like citrus and broccoli, it is very difficult to get the amount needed to relive allergies from food alone. A supplemental dose can be helpful for preventing allergies or helping acute symptoms. Not recommended during pregnancy or nursing though some practitioners feel it is safe after the first trimester.

Saline spray
Prepackaged saline nasal sprays function much like Neti pots, but some allergy sufferers may find them easier to use. Sprays deliver saline solution a bit more gently and evenly, whereas pots can sometimes be a little "sloppy."  Saline sprays should provide comparable results. Although Neti pots have been studied more extensively, and in some cases may prove more effective, sprays too have been shown to help with allergy symptoms and other sinus problems.

Showering
Anyone who has even been stuffed-up knows the impressive ability of a steaming hot shower to soothe sinuses and clear nasal passages, if only temporarily. But showers offer an added benefit for springtime allergy sufferers. A quick rinse after spending time outdoors can help remove allergens from your skin and hair—and prevent them from spreading to clothes, furniture, pillowcases, and other surfaces where they're likely to dog you.  This is especially true if you have been gardening. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology recommends stripping off your shoes and clothes and showering immediately if you have been weeding, pruning, or planting.

Spicy foods
Many people swear by the sinus-clearing effects of spicy foods like chili peppers, wasabi, Dijon mustard, fresh garlic, and horseradish. Sure enough, an active ingredient in garlic (allyl thiosulfate) and a similar ingredient in wasabi (is thiocyanates) do appear to have a temporary decongestant effect. Foods with a kick can definitely start your eyes watering and open your nasal passages, but it is unclear whether they provide anything more than fleeting relief

Spring fever
Spring brings warmer weather and longer days, while the autumn ushers in crisp air and pumpkin-spice lattes. But these seasonal changes are not welcomed by everyone. For many of us, they are eclipsed by the itchy eyes, sneezing, and congestion of hay fever and other allergies.

What to do?  Some allergies are severe and require the attention of a doctor or other health care professional. For milder cases, though, home remedies may provide all the relief you need, with relatively little expense or hassle. Even people with bad allergies who need medication may find these at-home tips helpful for easing symptoms.

Steam
Do not feel like getting soaked and toweling off every time your sinuses get clogged? Other methods of inhaling steam—store-bought vaporizers, for instance—can flush out mucus and moisten dry nasal passages nearly as well as a shower. The easiest method is simply to pour boiling water into a bowl or other container, drape a towel over your head to form a tent, and inhale deeply through your nose for five to 10 minutes. (Just be careful not to get your face too close to the water, as you may scald yourself.) If you find yourself really clogged up, this may be more convenient than taking several showers a day.

Steam can soothe your sinuses. Breathing steam refreshes and soothes irritated sinuses, and it helps rid the nasal passages of mucus. While it takes some time, it will make you feel wonderful! Boil several cups of water and pour into a big bowl (or a plugged sink). Lean carefully over the bowl, and drape a towel over your head. Breathe gently for 5 to 10 minutes.  When you are finished breathing steam, use the water for a second purpose: Let the water cool until it is warm, then saturate a washcloth, and hold the cloth on your sinuses (to the sides of your nose, below the eyes, and above the eyebrows).


Tea
Holding your face over a hot cup of tea may open your nasal passages, but the steam is not the only thing that is beneficial. The menthol in peppermint tea, for instance, seems to work as a decongestant and expectorant, meaning it can break up mucus and help clear it out of your nose and throat. Similarly, green tea contains a compound (methylated epigallocatechin gallate) that has been shown in lab tests to have antioxidant properties that inhibit allergic reactions. These results may not necessarily translate into noticeable symptom relief for spring allergy sufferers, however. If you do have spring allergies, you will probably want to stay away from chamomile, as it can cause reactions in people allergic to ragweed.

Use Saline Solution
A saline solution can cleanse your nose and relieve nasal allergy symptoms. Irrigating the nose with saline solution (salt water) may help soothe upper respiratory allergies by removing irritants that become lodged in the nose and cause inflammation. In fact, saline solution may even wash away some of the inflammatory cells themselves. You can buy ready-made saline solution at your local drugstore, or you can make your own fresh solution daily by mixing a teaspoon of salt in a pint of warm, distilled water and adding a pinch of baking soda. Bend over a sink and sniff a bit of solution into one nostril at a time, allowing it to drain back out through the nose or mouth; do this once or twice a day. (If you also have asthma, however, check with your doctor before trying this remedy.)

Wasabi:
Snacking on green peas coated in wasabi can help relieve allergy symptoms. If you are a hay fever sufferer who also loves Japanese food, this remedy will please. Wasabi that pale-green, fiery condiment served with many Japanese dishes is a member of the horseradish family. Anyone who has taken too big a dollop of wasabi (or plain old horseradish) knows that it makes sinuses and tear ducts spring into action. That is because allyl isothiocyanate, a constituent in wasabi, promotes mucus flow. The tastiest way to get those allyl isothiocyanates is by slathering horseradish on your sandwich or plopping wasabi onto your favorite sushi. Another option -- although harder to swallow -- is to purchase grated horseradish, and take 1/4 teaspoon to alleviate allergy symptoms.

Wash yourself:
Hot showers can help rinse off pollen and open up your sinuses. If you have spent long hours outdoors during the pollen season, wash your hair to remove pollen after you come inside. The sticky yellow stuff tends to collect on the hair, making it more likely to fall into your eyes. If you wake up in the middle of the night with a coughing, sneezing allergy attack, a hot shower may wash off any pollen residues you have collected on your body throughout the day. (You might want to change your pillowcase, too.) It may also help open up your sinuses, at least for a while, making breathing a little easier. The warm water may even help you relax and go back to sleep.

Wash your pet:
If you have pet allergies, be sure to wash your pet frequently. A little-known trick for dog or cat owners who are allergic to fur: Bathe your pet frequently. Fido and Fifi produce allergy-causing substances in their sweat and saliva that gets on their fur. Fortunately, these allergens dissolve in water, so a warm bath can rinse away the problem. If you're a cat owner and can't imagine bathing your beloved feline for fear of being scratched near to death, take heart: Some cats (though a minority, to be sure) purr when bathed. If you start bathing your feline regularly when it is a kitten, chances are higher that clean-up time will be a harmonious experience. Wash your cat in warm water, with no soap, once every other week. In addition to bathing your pet, try to wash your hands soon after you have had direct contact with your furry friend.

With any luck, your seasonal allergies will become lesser and lesser, allowing you to enjoy life more, which is a good thing!

- Bird