How to Relieve Allergies Naturally

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If you spend the summertime itching, sneezing, and wheezing, try natural remedies to deal with your allergies.

Step 1: Use butterbur
Try the European herb butterbur. Though how it works is not fully understood, butterbur has proven effective at reducing allergy symptoms.

Step 2: Use nettle
Take freeze-dried nettle. Nettle, also known as stinging nettle, dog nettle, California nettle, and dwarf nettle, is available freeze-dried and packaged at herbal grocers and vitamin outlets.

Tip
You can also make nettle tea. Pick young, fresh nettle, dry the leaves, put them in a teapot, and add boiling water. Let the tea steep for a few minutes, and then drink it.

Step 3: Try goldenseal
Try a tonic made from the herb goldenseal. Goldenseal contains berberine, which has astringent and local antibacterial properties and may be effective for allergy relief.

Step 4: Use a saline nasal spray
Use a saline nasal spray. A saline nasal spray can be effective in clearing mucous from nasal cavities and can help liquefy secretions.

Tip
Use a saline solution in a neti pot to clear nasal passages.

Step 5: Use grape seed extract and quercetin
Use grape seed extract and the flavonoid compound quercetin. Both are available in supplement forms and can be effective in relieving allergy symptoms, especially when taken with vitamin C.

Step 6: Use eucalyptus
Use eucalyptus to relieve nasal congestion due to allergies. The vapor from eucalyptus clears congestion and loosens mucus and is especially effective when used in conjunction with steam treatments.

Step 7: Try alfalfa
Try alfalfa. Alfalfa is thought to improve the runny nose, sneezing, and itching present in allergic rhinitis.

Step 8: Eat spicy foods
Eat spicy foods, which thin mucous secretions, clearing nasal passages. The spicier the dish, the more effective this remedy is.

Step 9: Avoid irritants
Avoid eating melon, banana, cucumber, sunflower seeds, chamomile, and herbal supplements containing echinacea, which can worsen your symptoms if you suffer from ragweed or pollen allergies. Look forward to the end of allergy season, when you'll be able to confidently go outside again.

Did You Know?
Moving to another location is no guarantee of relief for allergy sufferers because they usually develop allergies to their new region's pollens and molds within a few years of moving.