While I think its unanimous that everyone in Charleston is ready for some warmer weather, this time of year also brings a rather unwelcome guest: allergies! Here are a few tips for some all natural allergy relief!
For many people allergy season is more than just an occasional sneeze or itchy throat, it is a chronic and sometimes debilitating time of various ailments that can seem without end. Post nasal drip, itchy dry eyes, constant coughing and runny nose can take a toll, especially when those symptoms can go unabated for weeks at a time.
While there seems to be a vast movement toward going more natural with our foods and holding producers accountable for their quality (as there should be), a lot of people don’t take the same care when it comes to medications and supplements. Many people are happy to take whatever they are prescribed without question and falsely assume that because a product is over the counter and available to the public, it must be safe.
In fact, there is little to no regulation in the world of supplements which allows many of them to be primarily composed of chemicals, fillers and additives. Just because a supplement touts particular benefits or claims to include everything you need in one tablet, that doesn’t mean those claims have to be true or that those compounds are in a ratio that can even be absorbed by your body at one time. Pharmaceutical medications are of course chemically based, some can boast long half lives that leave them floating in your body for months, and many times are accompanied by a slew of unwanted side effects. Read: mental fog, fatigue, water retention. Oh! and they can become addictive as well, many times exacerbating the primary complaint they claim to relieve. So, if you’re seeking allergy relief without the unwanted side effects and chemicals, here are some great, all-natural techniques and supplements that will help you not only survive allergy season without hibernating, but to get out and actually enjoy the warmer weather.
Using a Neti Pot or saline (salt water) nasal spray. Originally a cleansing Ayurvedic technique, nasal irrigation not only helps with chronic sinusitis, headaches and congestion but can wash out pollen and reduce or thin mucous. At Absolute Wellness Center, we carry several neti pots and also have portable Neti Stiks, which can provide sinus relief in you pocket with all natural aromatherapy including peppermint and eucalyptus.
- Grape seed extract and a flavonoid compound known as quercetin. Although both occur naturally in many foods — and are especially abundant in red wine — when used in supplement form they can be extremely helpful in reducing allergy symptoms, particularly in conjunction with vitamin C. Quercetin may control the release of histamine and other chemicals that help initiate the allergic response.
- Boost your zinc intake. People with low levels of zinc are more likely to suffer from allergies. Eat foods like cremini mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, spinach, and venison to increase your intake of this important mineral. Other good sources include: asparagus, chard, scallops, lamb, beef, maple syrup, shrimp, green peas, oats, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, turkey, miso, and spelt.
Prevention not enough? Treat yourself with these natural alternatives
Need to breathe? Metagenics Nazanol is an awesome choice for general sinus health. Like Sudafed, with the jitters and addictive qualities
To make coughs more productive: Standard Process Fen-Gre. All natural expectorant, compare to Mucinex.
Need to boost immunity? Withania Complex by Mediherb will help. So will Rainbow Light’s Counter Attack which can prevent and shorten colds and viruses.
#1 all around Allergy Defense? Standard Process’ Allerplex. Simply the best whole-food remedy for allergies. If taken long term it can permanently eliminate seasonal allergies.
Whatever your symptom, Absolute Wellness Center has got you covered. Don’t let allergy season 
let you miss the great weather; get your defenses and get out there! Call us at 843-416-8218 to schedule your nutritional consult or stop by to get yours.
Got a question? Wante mEmail us at [email protected]
