What Plants Can I Use For Allergies?

It’s spring and for many people this means its allergy season, a time for congested sinuses, headaches and watering eyes. There is relief in sight with natural remedies and you may already have some of the ingredients on hand. The following remedies can give you quick relief from allergies.

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a remedy for a wide array of various ailments. ACV (apple cider vinegar) is also used as a remedy for allergies when taken orally. Only use unfiltered organic apple cider vinegar with the ‘Mother’ strain of yeasts. The unfiltered acv possess immune-supportive properties that helps to boost the overall strength of your immune system. It also allows it to stave off allergies. When you take this as a pre-breakfast and pre-bedtime drink, apple cider vinegar helps to stimulate the appetite and improve the body’s ability to assimilate nutrients. It also improves the overall function of the lymphatic system. A capful or two tablespoons of the liquid diluted in a glass of water is a good dosage.

Raw Honey

Raw honey or unpasteurized honey is another great way to help heal your body of allergies. Honey is a well-known therapeutic food with a myriad of medicinal benefits. A tablespoon of raw honey taken before breakfast and before bedtime should boost your immune system to fight allergies. You can also dilute the honey in a glass of water with unpasteurized apple cider vinegar.

Raw honey also has topical uses as a remedy for itchiness, swelling, redness and other allergic conditions. Take care when using raw honey because this natural anti-histamine substance may cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Not due to any allergen found in honey itself as honey is hypoallergenic. But due to the possibility of the inclusion of pollen, which is an allergen.

Neti Pot

Nasal irrigation via use of a neti pot is one of the most effective remedies for nasal congestion. Neti pots are fast becoming a mainstream remedy for allergies and stuffed-up sinuses. The treatment involves rinsing your nasal cavity with a saline solution and flushing out allergens such as pollen and loosening mucus. Fill the pot with a saline solution then tilt your head to the side and pour the solution in one nostril until it flows out the other, repeating the process on the opposite side. Use boiled or distilled water only, as tap water can introduce potentially dangerous organisms into your system.

Calendula is a well-known healing herb commonly used as a remedy for skin disorders. A little known fact is that the petals of calendula can also be infused as a tisane or tea to help alleviate allergy symptoms. Calendula also boosts the immune system helping to increase the chances of fighting off allergic reactions. Topical problems such as itching, redness and other markers of an allergic reaction are remedied by either a rinse made from strongly infused calendula petals or through the topical application of calendula oil.

Lemongrass is very useful as a remedy for allergies. Often it is a strong decoction and used as a rinse or bath water to help relieve the discomforts of allergies. Lemongrass is steeped in boiling water and drank as an herbal tea. It possesses natural immune-boosting and anti-histamine properties which helps reduce the incidence and severity of allergies. As well as boost overall physical health when consumed in moderate amounts on a regular basis.

Stinging nettles are a natural antihistamine and one of the most effective means for allergy relief. Nettles work within minutes relieving sinus congestion, sneezing and watery eyes. Nettles are useful in treating allergy symptoms, such as hay fever, which is one of the most common allergy problems. This herb contains biologically active compounds that reduce inflammation. Nettles are eaten steamed, put in soups or the dried leaves are made into an infusion and drank through out the day. I love drinking nettle infusions for allergy relief.