Home Remedies for Allergies
Allergies are a lot more common than most of us would think. They occur when our immune system acts up, triggered by some stimulus or irritant. Common stimuli are molds, mildew, dusts and foods like shellfish and peanuts. Allergies will not only slow you down, they’re also not a pretty sight. Instead of heading to their local pharmacy for an allergy medication, many wish to try a natural remedy instead.
Using natural allergy remedies has a number of benefits. Here are some of them.
Benefits of Natural Remedies:
- Economical: Most of the ingredients you would need to whip up an allergy cure are found in your refrigerator or in your cupboards. Just because you need to clear up your allergies doesn’t mean you have to clear your pockets in the process as well.
- Quick fix: You’ll be surprise at how easy it is to prepare home allergy remedies. You don’t have to drive to the pharmacy or get a prescription for it. You can prepare your remedy at the comforts of your home whenever you need it. If the honey, herbs or whatever you try don’t work, you can try a prescription medicine instead.
- Safe: Since most of the ingredients are organic, the possibilities of an adverse reaction are slim. In fact, most natural remedies are safe enough to use on pregnant women, while breastfeeding and even for children. Just be sure not to add anything you know you’re allergic to. That would defeat the purpose! And note that some herbal remedies that you can buy over the counter do have side effects so always read the label.
Read Also,7 Home Remedies That Will Help You Get Rid of Skin Allergy & Itchy Reaction
Top Natural Allergy Cures:
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Oatmeal:
Great for a rash. It helps heal skin dryness and itchiness brought about by rashes. It moisturizes and smooths the skin as well.
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Raw apple cider vinegar:
Apple cider isn’t just for your salad, it can also help you clear up itchy and flaking skin caused by a bacteria or fungus. To prepare, dilute 1 part apple cider with 2 parts water. Apply it to the rash and leave it to dry. You can use this to clear up dandruff too.
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Raw Honey:
Raw honey can help stop rashes and aid in wound healing. Apply honey (preferably raw/ unprocessed) over your rash or cut and cover it with a towel overnight. Do this daily and your rash will clear up in no time. Honey can also help you slowly get over a pollen allergy. By constantly subjecting your immune system to the low levels of bee pollen, your body slowly builds up resistance against the allergen. The concept is similar to vaccines. Try it before the pollen season, in spring strikes. The great thing about honey? It never expires! Keep one in your refrigerator. You’ll never know when you’ll need this sweet remedy.
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Itchy Swollen Eyes:
- Water: This is probably the easiest and cheapest solution for itchy and irritated eyes. Wash your face with water and mild soap to wash off the allergens that may still be on your skin. If it itches something fierce, you can irrigate your eyes with water to dislodge the allergens.
- Cold Compress: Applying a cold compress is ideal for those who have overly sensitive skin. Cold compress doesn’t just relieve itchiness and redness, it also helps reduce swelling. To apply, dip a towel in cold water and place it over your eyes while you lie down and rest.You’re bound to feel refreshed after.
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Sneezing:
- Saline Irrigation: Sneezing can only be stopped by eliminating the irritant. To do this, you need to irrigate your nostril with a saltwater solution. The solution should be 1 part salt and 9 parts water or 1 tsp. salt mixed with 8 oz. water. Use a medicine dropper to gather the saline and squirt in on one nostril. Hold it for a second or two then blow your nose to clear off the allergen and mucus. Repeat this method on the other nostril. You can repeat this as necessary. This saline irrigating method to help one breathe is nothing new. In fact, it has been practiced for over centuries with the help of a Neti pot.
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Butterbur:
This is a natural herb that is the equivalent of antihistamine. Studies show that it works to relax smooth muscles and reduce inflammation.
can be found in our diet. Quercetin-rich foods are onions, teas and apple. Quercetin shows promise in relieving seasonal allergy by slowing down the release of histamine in the body (allergy receptor). This is said to help with runny nose and itchy eyes.