5 Natural and Herbal Remedies for Summer Allergies

When the sun is shining and the outdoors is calling, the last thing you want to be worried about is allergies. Runny noses, itchy eyes, clogged sinuses – summer can be prime allergy season due to the rising pollen count and hay cutting. Pharmaceutical treatments often don’t do the trick (and can have serious side effects). Luckily, there are many natural home remedies to fight and relieve the common symptoms of summer allergies. Different people benefit from different remedies, so try a few to see which works best for you!

Nettle-Peppermint Tea

Nettle has a multitude of uses, from relieving arthritis pains, to lowering blood pressure, to treating allergies. It is a very effective and natural antihistamine that, when combined with anti-inflammatory peppermint, makes a delicious and refreshing allergy relief tea.

Local Raw Honey or Bee Pollen

Many people swear by local raw honey or bee pollen (available in capsules, granules, and powder) for allergy relief. The gradual intake of local pollen will build up your immunity and provide you with relief when allergy season hits. This will only work with local honey or pollen, and avoid this treatment if you are allergic to bees or anaphylactic.

Apple Walnut Trail Mix

This is an easy and yummy snack to relieve allergy symptoms – just combine 1 cup walnuts and 1 diced apple and enjoy! Walnuts are high in magnesium and vitamin E, which can help with wheezing and coughing, and give your body an immunity boost. Apples contain quercetin (listed below), and naturally reduce the production of histamine.

Citrus Drink

Fight off allergies and beat the heat with an icy cool citrus drink. The boost of vitamin C will help your immune system prevent allergies from happening and offer relief to any symptoms you may experience. Squeeze the juice from half a lemon and two oranges; stir and chill for several hours. Mix in one tablespoon of raw, local, organic honey and some ice cubes, and drink daily.

Quercetin

Quercetin is a natural bioflavonoid that is said to keep cells from releasing histamine, which causes those awful allergy symptoms. Although it is naturally found in foods such as broccoli, citrus, and red onion, it is hard to get the amount needed to relieve allergies from food alone. A supplemental dose can help prevent allergies and relieve symptoms. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Other natural treatments for allergies include Neti pots, saline sprays, probiotics, and apple cider vinegar.