5 Home Remedies for Seasonal Allergies (Beyond Local Honey)
Runny nose, itchy eyes, and the infuriating sensation of not being able to sneeze? Pollen count is on the rise as the weather warms up which means one thing-allergies. When it comes to home remedies for allergies you hear a lot about local raw honey preventing them. It is supposed to work because the gradual intake of local pollen will help build up your immunity before the symptoms start, thereby providing relief when the season actually hits. And while it does work for some people, let’s not forget that there are plenty of remedies you can try at home to help relieve the common symptoms of seasonal allergies. As a Minnesotan I intend to soak up every last bit of warm weather, especially after our brutal winter, and I’ll be utilizing a number of remedies to help fight any allergies dragging me down.
1. Nettle-Peppermint Tea
Nettle has such a negative image, but it’s one of the most incredible herbs you will use once you add it to your repertoire. From relieving arthritis (link), lowering blood pressure, and (of course) helping seasonal allergies, it performs a wide variety of functions thanks to its (find property names.) The peppermint contains a type of flavonoid called luteolin-7-O-rutinoside which can help inhibit the activity and secretion of anti-inflammatory enzymes, such as histamines, and greatly reduce the dreadful discomfort that comes along them.
You will need…
-1 teaspoon of dried peppermint OR ¼ cup chopped fresh peppermint
-1 teaspoon of dried nettle leaf OR ¼ cup chopped fresh nettle leaf
-Honey and lemon to taste (optional)
-8 ounces of fresh water
Directions
It doesn’t get much simpler than this recipe! Place the nettle and peppermint in a mug and cover with boiling water. Steep them for 10-15 minutes, strain; add honey to taste, and drink 2 times daily as needed for allergy relief.
2. Bee Pollen
If local honey isn’t doing the trick for you, try bee pollen. The same concept lies behind how it works-starting in small amounts and gradually increasing the dosage daily will help build up your immunity to the pollen in your area. This is a play off what is known in medicine as “the hygiene hypothesis”, in which childhood exposure to germs and bacteria are vital to developing an immune system that can handle those same things down the line. Here you expose yourself to allergens before allergy season so your system doesn’t take a huge blow when the air fills with pollen. There are two vital parts to this remedy-first, make sure you are not anaphylactic or severely allergic to bees, or so allergic to pollen that you experience anaphylaxis.
Second, get local pollen. This will not work unless the pollen is local, as you need to build up a tolerance to the plants in your area. You also need to make sure that your pollen is coming from a good source, and free from insecticides. There are 3 forms (granules, capsules, and powder) but I prefer granules. Bee pollen is crunchy, musty, and very floral-enjoy it plain or sprinkle some over yogurt or oatmeal in the morning!
You will need…
-LOCAL bee pollen granules
Directions
Start taking pollen 5 months before your allergies flare (so February if they start in May, for example.) Start with 1 or 2 granules under the tongue and let them dissolve or chew them. The next day increase the dosage by 1 granule. Continue this until you feel confident that you will not have a reaction (I recommend doing this for about 2 weeks.) If you experience no adverse reaction, you can take up to 1 tablespoon daily throughout allergy season.
3. Refreshing Citrus Drink
Since many allergies peak in the spring and summer, they happen to coincide with warm, sunny days that you want to enjoy by frolicking in the great outdoors. As healing as tea is, sometimes you just need that tart, cool, refreshing drink at your side. This citrus filled drink contains plenty of vitamin C, which can provide relief from seasonal allergies, thanks to its incredible ability to nourish the immune system. Since the immune system is struggling to function right when you experience allergies, the benefits of this are obvious!
You will need…
-1/2 lemon
-2 oranges
-1 tablespoon of local, raw, organic honey
Directions
Squeeze the juice from the lemon and oranges and chill for several hours. Stir in the honey, add some ice cubes, and drink daily.
4. Red Onion Water
Onions contain a water soluble chemical compound called quercetin, which has been demonstrated in preliminary studies to reduce the amount of histamine produced by the body, therefore reducing symptoms of allergies. It is, essentially, nature’s version of an anti-histamine. Quercetin itself has also been shown to inhibit inflammation, as well as act as a bronchodilator, opening up airways and helping you breathe easier.
You will need…
-1 red onion
-4 cups of water
-Organic, raw, honey to taste
Directions
Thinly slice the onion and add it to the water. Allow it to infuse for 8-12 hours before drinking 1-2 times daily. It will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. Stir some honey into individual glasses when you drink it if you like (I personally recommend it.)
5. Apple- Walnut Trail Mix
This mix will help you hit the trail in no time, without the sneezing and itching. Walnuts are a daily snack that you can enjoy to help ease allergy symptoms. High in magnesium, they help tamp down any wheezing or coughing that’s taking place, while their vitamin E content can boost immunity and protects your body from reacting to allergens. Apples, like onions, contain quercetin, and naturally reduce the production of histamine. Several studies have confirmed that an apple a day really does keep allergies at bay.
You will need…
-1/2-1 cup of walnuts
-1 apple
Directions
Chop the walnuts and cut the apple into medium-small chunks. Place both in a bag and toss until thoroughly mixed. Feel free to substitute pecans or walnuts if you prefer. You can also add in some other little tasty ingredients if you like (I like adding dried cherries and sunflower seeds.)
Allergy Tips
-Be aware that line drying your clothes can contribute to allergies as all of the pollen sailing around sticks to it (and consequently, sticks to you.)
-If you simply must open your window, don’t fling it open all the way. Allergens will fly into the house and settle on everything.
-At the end of the day, briefly rinse off with cool water. Doing so will rinse any pollen stuck in your hair or on your skin off, and also ensures you don’t transfer a bunch to your bedding!
We Want to Hear from You! Let us know which remedies work and do not work for you, ask a question or leave a comment:
how much of the onion water do you actually drink at a time?
these are some really good tips, thanks Claire! Saw a few new things here that I haven’t before. I’m enticed by the onion water – for some reason that actually sounds good to me haha. I’ve definitely had some success with nettle tea before and remember reading that it is more effective for allergies when fresh. (Don’t quote me on that) luckily I have tonsa in my backyard =)
I did want to clear something up though because it is a common misconception. Lots of people say to use local honey/bee pollen. While you definitely consume some local pollen in them, you are not consuming the types of pollen that typically cause allergic reactions. Ragweed is a large culprit and many grasses, alders, docks, and oaks hickories etc. They all share something in common – they are WIND pollinated. That’s why the produce copious amounts of pollen – to compensate for the inefficient pollination technique. Bees do not visit these plants for pollination and hence do not have their pollen in their honey. The pollen you consume in honey and bee pollen are the least airborne because they rely on insects cross pollinating and produce relatively very small amounts. That being said though – raw local honey can definitely boost your immunity and help your allergies indirectly. Plus its overall excellent for you. Just thought I would add my 2 cents =)
I’ve always had bad allergies since I was little. Once spring rolls around, like it is now, my allergies really flare up. I live on a farm and I can tell when a certain plant or tree wakes up because my allergies just get worse. I’ve heard that local honey can help with allergies, so my sister raised some bees last year and we got a ton of honey. I’m still waiting to see if the honey works. I thought the pollen idea was interesting. I’ll have to give it a try. Thanks!
I have definitely heard about using honey from local bee farmers to help reduce allergies. However, I have never thought about taking the pollen. If the honey works, it makes sense that the pollen will though. I just wonder if it is something I will have to do every year? I would rather just use my nose spray than put myself through the allergy symptoms every year just before allergy season.