Tackle Allergies Naturally

Learn how you can keep sneezing and sniffling at bay without drugs

Author and humorist James Thurber once quipped, “I used to wake up at 4 AM and start sneezing, sometimes for five hours. I tried to find out what sort of allergy I had but finally came to the conclusion that it must be an allergy to consciousness.”

Kidding aside, those who suffer with the itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, and runny noses associated with allergies often ask me what they can do to find relief. Rather than turning to prescription and over-the-counter remedies, here are three steps you can take to tackle your allergies naturally.

Step One: Minimize Your Exposure

It seems like a no-brainer, but the first thing you’ll want to do is minimize your exposure to airborne allergens such as:

• Dander from household pets
• Dust
• Pollen
• Mold
• Smoke
• Chemicals
• Strong odors

These are often difficult to avoid entirely, but there are quite a few effective measures you can take to scale back your exposure. They include:

• Have your house thoroughly cleaned.
• Remove as many carpets, rugs, or upholstered pieces of furniture as you can—these are havens for dust and pet dander.
• Make your bedroom as allergy-proof as possible: Use a plastic mattress cover, wash sheets, blankets, pillowcases, and mattress pads every week, and consider purchasing bedding made from hypoallergenic materials.
• Use an air purifier.
• Fill your house with plants. Virtually all indoor plants clean the air and work as natural air purifiers by absorbing impurities and chemicals into their leaves and transporting them into the soil. Once in the soil, these harmful vapors are broken down into plant food by microorganisms. Philodendrons, Peace Lily, Lady or Area Palm, Trichina Margined, and Corn Plant are among the best air purifiers, but all leafy plants will help to some degree.

Finally, if you’re a dog lover like me, there are breeds like the poodle and Portuguese water dog that are best suited for people with allergies, as they don’t shed as much dander as other dogs. Talk to your veterinarian about pet breeds that will work best for you.

Step Two: Take Targeted Supplements

Several targeted nutritional supplements have the ability to relieve allergy symptoms, including:

• Quercetin, a flavonoid that is abundant in apples and onions, is one of the most powerful allergy fighters. Quercetin inhibits the release of histamine, thereby dampening the allergic response. It also reduces production of leukotrienes, inflammatory compounds that stimulate airway constriction. And it’s a natural antioxidant—quercetin helps mop up free radicals generated during the allergic reaction. The suggested dose is 200–400 mg daily.
• Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, dramatically enhances quercetin’s absorption. Bromelain also reduces tissue swelling, helps break up mucus, and has been shown to produce measurable improvements in respiratory congestion. The suggested dose is 200–400 mg per day.
• Vitamin C is another well-studied therapy for allergies. In one clinical trial, allergy sufferers who took 2,000 mg of vitamin C daily for two weeks had 40 percent reductions in blood histamine levels. Taking just 500 mg of this vitamin, however, had no significant effect. So be sure to take 2,000 mg in divided doses each day.
• N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) is another antioxidant that is highly regarded for its ability to relieve allergies. NAC is a precursor to glutathione, one of your body’s premier free-radical scavengers. It is also one of the best expectorants and mucus thinners around. I recommend taking 200–400 mg daily.
• Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) extracts are found in many allergy formulas because of their potent anti-inflammatory effects. The suggested daily dose is 150–200 mg.
• Lactobacillus paracasei, a beneficial strain of bacteria, has recently been shown to help relieve allergies by supporting the immune system. The recommended dose is 200 mg daily.
• Homeopathic remedies are useful because they address specific allergy symptoms. Use as directed.

The natural substances above can be used as preventive medicine during allergy season or year-round if you suffer from perennial allergies. They may be purchased singly or in combination products.

Step Three: Wash Allergies Away

Facial dips are an excellent way to flush allergens from the nose and eyes. You simply fill a basin with warm water, add a special solution (the Clenzology Advanced Hygiene System is one good brand), and submerge your face in the water for a few seconds. This action washes irritants and germs out of the eyes and nostrils before they have a chance to enter your body and start wreaking havoc. (An alternative is to use warm water by itself without the solution.)

Speaking of washing allergies away, good ol’ H₂0 acts as a natural antihistamine making it an easy and therapeutic treatment. To keep your body well hydrated, drink two quarts (eight 8-ounce glasses) of water daily and three quarts (twelve 8-ounce glasses) during allergy season. Children eight years and older should drink two quarts a day.

I hope you find these recommendations helpful and that you and your family use these natural remedies to make it through this allergy season unscathed.