Hay Fever and Seasonal Allergies

Our surrounding area is often to witness to "poplar fluff" floating through the air. This tree pollen lies thick on the ground in places giving the appearance of freshly fallen snow once more.

For some this pollen is an extreme allergen, causing red itchy eyes, nasal congestion, runny noses, and sneezing. Other plant pollens, especially from the ragweed family, cause seasonal allergies as well. Make sure you understand allergies and the factors that contribute to it.

Natural Remedies For Hay Fever

Water: Drinking plenty of water may help with the severity of seasonal allergies.

Whole Foods: My bouts with hay fever are lessened when I am consuming nutrient dense foods and eliminating empty calories and harmful things in food such as artificial colors/additives, preservatives, refined foods, hydrogenated fats. In other words, eating a whole foods diet! Our immune systems become over taxed when we have all the above toxins in our systems and really aren't able to handle the extra allergens from the environment around us. When we help our immune systems by not overloading it with toxins from our foods and the environment it may in turn help us to better handle the pollen flying around us!

Nasal Irrigation:
Using a neti pot, a special saline solution is poured in one nostril, and out the other. This washes the offending dander or pollen right out providing instant relief. Your local health food store will sell these pots and the providing saline solution.

Stinging Nettle:
This wonderful weed is quite prolific in certain parts of the world. Breaking off the top 4 or 5 inches of young plants and steeping into a strong tea will provide allergy relief. Nettle capsules are easy to come by as well.

Peppermint Essential Oil
Peppermint essential oil or any mint oil with menthol will help make breathing easier. Use these essential oils in a diffuser or place 1 or 2 drops in a small pan of warm water on low. Make sure you are in the same room as where the oil is diffusing!