Wellness Minneapolis
  • Home
  • Appointments
  • Dr. Barrett
    • About Dr. Barrett
    • Holistic Hashimoto's Group
    • Mentoring
    • Dr. Barrett's Blog
  • Dr. Aidanne
  • Resources
    • Blog
    • Functional Medicine Bloodwork
    • Supplements
    • Recipe Box
    • Trusted Resources
    • Book List
  • Newsletter Signup
  • About
    • Naturopathic Medicine
    • Forms
    • Testimonials
    • FAQs >
      • Charm FAQ
  • Contact
  • Shop

5 Tips to Battle Seasonal Allergies Naturally

3/15/2016

 
Picture
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
Authored by Jesse Haas, CNS, LN

Spring has sprung with enthusiasm this year. It's March, the snow is gone and the windows are already open at Wellness Minneapolis. Soon the trees will bud, daffodils will break earth and shake their pollen in the wind. All the beautiful things that make spring so special also wreck havoc on sinus and pulmonary health of so many people.

Itchy, watery eyes, sinus congestion, labored breathing, and post-nasal drip are but a few of the charming symptoms experienced by more the 26 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies. Many of us rely on nasal sprays and pharmaceutical drugs that may or may not work, and often accompany side effects like drowsiness or nasal irritation. All too often we are choosing between feeling like crap because we have allergies and feeling like crap because we took allergy medication. Would you like another option?


Let's review the facts:


Allergies are a symptom that points to a taxed and overactive immune system. Pollen, mold, grass, dust, cat dander, etc. are not innately harmful but for some reason your body has deemed them dangerous and mounts a defense (excess mucus, inflammation, increased temperature). While alleviating the symptoms and discomfort so you can get back to your life is important, these treatments are just band-aids for the underlying cause.

What causes seasonal allergies? Excess stress and adrenal insufficiency, digestive disorders, low beneficial flora, and a sluggish liver are just a few of the underlying causes of seasonal allergies. Below are some suggestions to help alleviate your symptoms now. If you're ready to tackle healing and prevention, get in touch to learn how nutrition, naturopathy and/or acupuncture may help you get ahead of these symptoms by alleviating the cause.

In the meantime, here are a few home remedies for allergy relief:
  • First and foremost, avoid foods and beverages that will make your allergies worse. Especially eliminate all dairy products, which are mucus producing. Others to avoid include caffeine, alcohol, wheat, sugar and any others that you are sensitive or allergic to. 

  • Flush allergens out of your sinuses. Use a saline solution in a neti pot or squeeze bottle. If your sinuses are very inflamed and you are unable to get the solution through, don't force it. Instead try a decongestant essential oil blend, such as Veriditas Botanical's Sinus Congestion. Simply wet a Q-tip with the oil and apply it to your nostrils, as high into your sinuses as you can comfortably reach.

  • Drink nettle tea. Stinging nettles are a natural antihistamine and delicious in a tea with chamomile and other herbs. If you have suffered from seasonal allergies in the past, start loading nettle tea daily for 1-2 months before you expect your symptoms to begin. Our Relaxing Evening Tea combines nettles with chamomile, lemon balm and raspberry leaf for a delicious and nutritious infusion that also nourishes the adrenals. You can find both these herbs in bulk at your local co-op. Cover a tablespoon of each with 32 oz. of boiling water and let steep for 30 minutes. Drink throughout the day. 

  • Get your vitamin C. Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, which you can supplement up to 3 grams per day for allergy relief. Eating vitamin C-rich foods like bell peppers and citrus is another option. To avoid gastrointestinal symptoms, choose a buffered vitamin C supplement like Vital Mixed Ascorbates by Pharmax.

  • D-Hist is my go-to for allergy symptoms. This Ortho Molecular product contains nettles, vitamin C, quercetin, bromelain and NAC to support a healthy immune response to allergens and reduce symptoms.

Happy spring!

Picture
Jesse Haas, CNS, LN is a licensed functional nutritionist and certified health coach. She was a founding partner of Wellness Minneapolis and was an active practitioner with the clinic from 2014-2022. To connect with her regarding functional nutrition and health coaching services, please follow this link.
emily bennette link
8/2/2016 07:28:57 pm

This is some really good information about how to help relieve seasonal allergies. I like that you talked about how you should try to flush out the pollen from your nose. It seems like a nasal allergy spray would also do that while helping relieve allergies.

Jesse Haas
8/3/2016 06:45:58 am

Nasal allergy spray definitely could have a similar effect as nasal washing with a neti pot. Thank you for reading!

Jill Thompson
7/11/2017 07:39:24 pm

Hi Jesse,

Stinging nettle contains natural acetylcholine. Anti-cholinergic drugs are under more scrutiny due to link with memory loss from sustain used. Thoughts please? Thank you!

Sammy link
9/10/2017 08:37:39 am

I am somebody who's allergies can become quite bad. You mentioned that vitamin C can really help prevent issues with allergies and I think that this is a great idea. Normally, you would think that vitamin C is just for colds, but it can also really help with any allergy related issue. Thanks for the tips.

Sabrina Addams link
4/1/2020 07:22:39 am

Thank you so much for advising me to get rid of dairy products since they promote mucus, and drink nettle tea as it's a natural antihistamine. My 13-year-old daughter has seasonal as well as some food allergies. It'd be great if we could find an allergy treatment service in Alpharetta to help her.

Jesse
4/1/2020 11:07:29 am

I'm glad these tips have been helpful to you!

Wade Joel link
5/1/2020 07:39:02 am

It's interesting to know that using a saline solution can help you to flush allergens out of your sinuses. My husband and I are thinking about how to control his allergies, and we are looking for advice to help him. I will let him know about your recommendations to choose the right method to help him.

Jesse
5/8/2020 11:07:55 am

I hope he finds it to be helpful to him! Our team can also provide more customized recommendations to make an individualized health care plan for him, if saline doesn't do the trick!

Tex Hooper link
11/4/2021 06:06:58 pm

I like what you said about eating vitamin C foods. I feel like that would help me with my immune system. I'll have to consider getting ahold of an allergy doctor.

Hay Fever Treatment link
4/21/2022 03:26:54 am

This article is the best guidance for men to know all about hay fever. Thanks for writing such an amazing article for us. Thank you.

Tara Eaton link
6/5/2022 04:55:38 am

Appreciiate you blogging this


Comments are closed.

    Articles

    We hope you find this information helpful on your journey in wellness.

    Want more? Sign up for our newsletter.
    sign up

    RSS Feed

    Category

    All
    Acupuncture & TCM
    Autoimmunity
    Ayurveda
    Book Reviews
    Chiropractic Care
    COVID-19
    Detoxification
    Digestive Health
    Energy Healing
    Fertility
    Hormone Support
    Hydrotherapy
    Immune Health
    Kid's Health
    Mental Wellness
    Nutrition
    Pain
    Team Wellness

Picture

​

General

FAQs
Blog/Articles
​

Patient Resources

Patient Portal
Medicinary

Provider Resources

Mentorship

More Information

Contact
Phone: (612) 598-8627
Fax: (833) 792-0900
 Newsletter Signup
Find us on Instagram @wellnessmpls
Find us on TikTok @wellnessmpls
Thank you to Emma Freeman and Lizzy Fasching for many of the photos on this site.
© Wellness Minneapolis | All rights reserved