Best Natural Allergy Relief No One Tells You About
Many people are frustrated when allergy season hits, and the itchy eyes, sneezing and coughing begin.
They ask me:
How do you treat allergies?
Here is the key concept that no one seems to tell allergy sufferers:
For seasonal allergies especially, the key is prevention, to begin treatment way before allergy season begins. As a licenced pharmacist and functional medicine practitioner, what I have seen work for my clients and myself are using treatments in advance.
Why in advance?
This way, when the antigen meets the body, the immune system is ready. If you prepare your body way before allergy season hits, your immune system and liver can fight it.
When someone has allergies, the immune system is overstimulated, and even over the counter allergy medications take time to calm it down. So start preparing early with natural antihistamines such as those found in essential oils.
Why carry out a body detox for allergy relief all year round?
Because by carrying out a body detox for allergy relief, you are clearing toxins from your body and reducing the load on your detoxification pathways.
Consequently, the liver is able to better filter the blood and handle allergens, thereby reducing the load on the immune system.
What is the best way to get results for allergies?
Allergies are a response of the immune system to an antigen, which is a hyper-sensitivity of the immune system that causes damage and can influence the whole body.
Antihistamines, corticosteroids and decongestants, as well as other OTC allergy medications, counteract the effect of the histamine produced by the body. However, they do have side effects. The most common are: drowsiness, dry eyes, nose and mouth, heart palpitations and insomnia.
Treating your seasonal allergy symptoms requires a multi-pronged approach, one that addresses your diet, lifestyle as well as natural treatments.
Eat an Anti-Inflammatory Diet
Taking care of your body with nutrient-dense foods gives your immune system the ability to repair itself, bringing it back into balance. Foods and ingredients to incorporate into your diet to help you beat allergies:
- green leafy vegetables
- garlic
- bone broth
- collagen
- lemons
- prebiotics like sauerkraut
- kimchi
- natto
- greek yogurt,
- miso and kombucha.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Apple cider vinegar is purported to boost the immune system, help break up mucus, and support lymphatic drainage. Mix one to two tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with a glass of water and lemon juice three times a day to relieve allergy symptoms.
Saline Nasal Spray
“Sinus irrigation” using saline is proven clinically to be beneficial for preventing and treating several upper respiratory conditions, including chronic and acute sinusitis, the common cold and seasonal allergies.
Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial “good bacteria” that live inside your GI tract and help defend you against infections, viruses, allergies and more.
As a licensed pharmacist and Functional Medicine Practitioner, I have created my own allergy blend which is a pure, high quality essential oil blend specific for allergy relief that is research based (antihistamine effects of citrus plants)
The blend includes oils like orange grapefruit lemon and peppermint and can reduce the inflammatory process of the immune system.
The blend is to me taken orally in a capsule
An antihistamine oil such as lemongrass reduces the histamine release and is similar to Zyrtec, only without any side effects that are pure and natural.
Use:
Other essential oils that can be used in a diffuser or applied on the skin with a carrier oil are:
- Roman Chamomile
- Eucalyptus
- Frankincense
- Lemongrass
- Peppermint
- Rosemary (c camphor)
- Vetiver
If your allergy symptoms are going strong, mix one or two oils with coconut oil and rub it on your chest and behind your ears and diffuse it in the air during the day and while sleeping.
“Researchers are beginning to understand how using eucalyptus aromatherapy (essential oil) reduces inflammation. This could lead to reducing allergic symptoms.” healthline.com
There you have it! This is how I treat my allergy patients and clients naturally, and I am on a mission to share this information of natural healing so that all that are interested can benefit.
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Liat Chiprut, Licensed Pharmacist, Functional Medicine Practitioner. I am passionate about teaching people how to ‘live well’ and thrive and teaching how to address the underlying cause of illness rather than just treating symptoms through the principles of Functional Medicine.
Additional reading:
Healthline: Essential Oils for Allergies
