There are many who believe we are one with mother nature. That is, we are born from the earth, nourished by its bounty and healed through natures medicine. Although this is quite a wonderful way in which to view our existence, there are others who may disagree with this statement; for example: individuals suffering from seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis, occur when your immune system reacts to pollen from plants. Symptoms include runny or stuffy nose, itchy and watery eyes, coughing and sneezing. Now, just because you are an allergy sufferer does not mean that you cannot be one with the earth, but it can be hard to feel the love when you are literally allergic to trees, grass, flowers… the list goes on. To those who feel the wrath of the change in seasons, the havoc caused by skipping through a field of wildflowers or strolling through the woods – don’t give up on being in nature just yet. Despite mother nature being the cause of your allergies, there may be some Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies that could help to alleviate your symptoms:
Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies Number 1 – Sunshine
When the human body is exposed to direct sunlight, the biological production of Vitamin D increases. Why does this matter? Well, because multiple scientific research studies indicate that Vitamin D may help in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. That being said, to maintain skin health, sun exposure should be practiced with care. If limiting sun exposure is necessary, one might consider Vitamin D supplements to cope with the unpleasant symptoms associate with seasonal allergies.
Natural Remedy Number 2 – Probiotics
Probiotics are living microorganisms that are quite similar to the good bacteria produced naturally by our bodies. They can be found in healthy foods we consume such as yogurt, kimchi and kombucha; as well as in dietary supplements. Probiotics are thought to be beneficial to certain body functions such as digestion, vitamin production and the stimulation of our immune system. Current research suggest probiotics may be used to help treat those suffering from allergic disorders such as allergic rhinitis, and may also help to improve the overall quality of nasal symptoms. Given the positive effect that probiotics are believed to have on the immune system, it would be logical to consider their use in aiding the immune system in its struggle with allergens.
Natural Remedy Number 3 – Honey
Honey naturally contains a small amount of pollen. Some believe that eating honey may help build a tolerance to pollen, thus helping those with seasonal allergies. Additionally, honey is considered by some to have anti-inflammatory and antihistamine qualities. Although hard evidence backing these claims is spotty, a tad of delicious local honey is always a sweet treat so this natural remedy could be worthy of further investigation.
For those interested in holistic health, the concept that nature can offering us natural remedies for seasonal allergies is not a foreign one. There are many instances that demonstrate this, but of course there are times where intervention is required. If you are struggling with seasonal allergies, be sure to seek the advice of a medical professional when it comes to treatment options. With the guidance of your healthcare provider, exploring the natural approaches listed above to combat the nuisances of allergies could be just what you need to enjoy mother natures gifts once again.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21499100
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25948028
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/allergies/seasonal
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/allergies-science#heading5
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/probiotics/introduction.htm