Spring comes with flower buds, colorful blooming trees, warmth, and birds singing. But if you suffer from seasonal allergies spring also means continuous sneezing, a runny nose, congestion, itchy and watery eyes, and other irritating symptoms. To have relief from seasonal allergies, learn how to boost your immunity naturally with nutrition-rich whole food and recipes like immune-boosting, then keep watching this video.
First, let’s learn how it happens:
Allergic rhinitis is an umbrella term for allergic reactions caused by irritants like pollution, mold, dust, pet hair, or pollen. Allergic rhinitis can occur all year round, whereas seasonal allergy or hay fever is usually caused by seasonal grass or pollens. It happens when the immune system identifies any airborne substances and overreacts to the allergen by releasing inflammatory chemicals like histamine into the bloodstream as our body’s defense mechanism. This causes mucous membranes in the nose, eyes, and throat to become inflamed and itchy to eject the allergens out of the system. Symptoms may include a runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sinus congestion, watery, itchy eyes, nose, mouth, throat, headache, and even asthma-like wheezing. (Please contact your health practitioner if in case of severe symptoms)
Over-The-Counter Medication
Over-the-counter medications like decongestants and antihistamines only treat the symptoms and come with long-term side effects like drowsiness, and dry mucus membrane, and may increase heart rates and blood pressure.
Nutrients and healthy lifestyle practices that strengthen our immune system:
Consume a variety of fruits and vegetables like Guava, Papaya, Broccoli, bell pepper, amla, kiwi, and figs which are all rich in vitamin C.
Pineapple- is a powerhouse of an enzyme named bromelain, and Papaya has an enzyme called papain. Bromelain and papain are both highly anti-inflammatory, natural antihistamines with no side effects, that help to reduce swelling, sinus irritation, and other symptoms and irritation caused by seasonal allergies.
Ginger roots and turmeric are highly anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial herbs that help to fight inflammation.
Add more green leafy vegetables for fiber.
Include Pre-biotics that feed the microbiome from whole beans, lentils, whole grains, flax seeds, and Probiotics-rich food- yogurt from(organic grass feed milk before mid-day and before the mid-day), carom- seeds, sour kraut, kimchi, apple cider vinegar
Cinnamon powder and cayenne pepper are anti-inflammatory spices that can be easily added to your diet.(check with a doctor if you have heart issues)
Local Honey helps naturally immunize from the tiny amount of pollens in honey, found in the local environment. In this case, store-bought honey will not help
Natural Supplements That Help Balance Seasonal Allergies
Stinging Nettle, Butterbur, goldenrod, marshmallow, and thyme are some immune-boosting herbs. (picture)
Quercetin: is a natural antihistamine, naturally found in apples and onions, and can also be supplemented.
N-Acetyl Cysteine NAC– helps to thin mucous & congestion due to allergies or infections (NAC is made by the human liver by altering the amino acid cysteine and can be found in high-protein foods, such as meat, fish, seafood, chicken, or turkey. Minor sources are eggs, whole-, and some plants including broccoli, onions, and legumes. )
Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Zinc, Bioflvodoids– anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidants
Fish oils- anti-inflammatory and Vitamin D (10000-20000 IU) Helps strengthen the immune system
For instant relief, I always carry with me one of these Essential oil mixes:
Thyme, lemon & frankincense oil mix- it is good to ingest or use topically (show how to mix)
Lemon, lavender & peppermint can be used topically or ingested if an adult. For children rub behind the ears or bottom of feet when sneezing or congestion
Essential Oil Mix- Recipe for Seasonal Allergy Blend
Mix all the above ingredients in a dropper bottle for convenience.
20 drops of sweet almond oil (any carrier oil of choice)
Lifestyle practices to support Immune System For Relief from Seasonal allergies:
Good Sleep and regular exercise like yoga especially Surya namaskar/ sun salutation improves blood circulation and heat regulation
Breathing exercises like alternate nostril breathing, kapalvatti, and ujjayi pranayama improves lung capacity and helps cleanse nasal sinuses.
Neti cleansing also known as saline cleansing helps to clear sinuses and keep them moist.
Go outside every single day (start from 10 mins – get exposure to microbes in nature). Put a mask if needed before stepping out, when it is windy and high pollen count in the air.
Get an air purifier with filters and use humidifiers if it is too dry
