Each year, like clockwork, I suffer from nasty seasonal allergies.
Symptoms typically start in mid-May (you know, the congestion, runny nose, sneezing, some fatigue) and quickly progress into what feels like a full blown cold, along with itchiness that makes me wish I could scratch my eyes out.
Over the past several years, I’ve gained valuable insights into preventing and managing these symptoms, knowing that inflammation and a weakened immune system are key culprits behind seasonal allergies.
Drawing from my personal experience, I’ve created a natural allergy prevention and management regiment, which I hope helps you as much as it has helped me!
Step 1: Before Allergy Season
Ideally, start to prep your body at least 6-8 weeks before allergy season to reduce/eliminate seasonal allergy symptoms.
**The ultimate goal is to keep inflammation in your body as low as possible, while boosting your immune system.
- Acupuncture
- I found out last year that acupuncture can help to reduce seasonal allergy symptoms. Acupuncture is a holistic treatment that boosts immunity, reduces inflammation, boosts circulation, and relieves stress…all things you want, especially before and during allergy season!
- Exercise
- Move your body and do what you love to keep your stress hormones low. Personally, I love strength training, yoga, Pilates, and walking. Meditation/relaxation exercises are also extremely helpful.
- Food
- No (or very limited) dairy, sugar, or gluten. These foods cause inflammation in a lot of people — some people more than others. I had a food sensitivity test with my ND a few years ago and these are the foods I’m most sensitive to, so I really need to steer clear of them.
- If you’re not vegan, regular consumption of local honey, containing pollen native to your area, can potentially reduce your sensitivity to nearby pollen. It’s typically recommended to start ingesting local honey about 6-8 weeks before allergy season, along with throughout allergy season. I take anywhere from 1 tsp – 1 TB per day in tea that is warm (not hot or boiling, as that will kill off the nutrients in the honey), added to my morning smoothie, or take it straight up.
- Drink plenty of clean water and/or herbal tea blends!
- Supplements (*Check with your medical provider before trying any new supplements.)
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- I start taking Seasonal Shield by NuMedica about 2-3 months before allergy season begins, so that each nutrient has a chance to build up in my system.
- I’ve also been adding fresh, chopped turmeric and ginger root into fresh water each morning. I then boil that water and sip on it throughout the day. Turmeric and ginger roots are fantastic for lowering inflammation in the body.
- Other supplements I take leading up to allergy season are Royal Rush’s Bee Blend, Probiotics, Olive Leaf, and Omega 3’s.
Step 2: Navigating Allergy Season
**I continue to follow my protocol above.
- Air Quality / Pollen
- I don’t love doing this during the Spring because the weather is usually gorgeous, but I try to keep our windows shut as much as possible to decrease the amount of pollen that enters into our home/cars.
- If I spend any time outdoors during the day, I take a shower to wash the pollen off of me (especially before getting into bed) and ask my family members to do the same.
- Air Purifier
- I have an air purifier running constantly in our bedroom. I work from home and also run an air purifier in my work area during the day.
- Tea
- I drink 8oz of nettle tea once or twice a day. Nettle acts as a natural antihistamine.
- Symptom Relief (*Check with your medical provider before trying any new supplements or medications.)
- If I’m congested, I mix a few drops of an essential oil blend (I love Mountain Rose Herbs’ Breathe Blend) with coconut oil and rub it on my chest. The essential oils help to open up my airways and make it easier to breathe.
- If allergy symptoms start to kick in, then I’ll take Amylase (an anti-histamine) and allergy eye drops as needed. I also try Sabadil if/when allergy symptoms really hit.
- I’m not a huge fan of taking medication, but I picked up some Kids’ Allergy from Genexa and Children’s Dye-Free Zyrtec to use in an emergency. I’ll be attending several outdoor events and I don’t want to miss Emi’s class’s field trip to the Bronx Zoo, so it’s important that I’m comfortable and can function.
I know it probably seems like a lot, but I’m willing to do whatever it takes not to suffer during my favorite time of the year. Email me at support@emisgarden.com if these tips work for you, and if you have additional ideas I missed. 🙂
