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ALLERGIES?
All of us experience an occasional reaction to something. If you are fortunate, it may be something you only encounter rarely so have no need for help. For the rest of us who experience reactions to common place items such as dust, pets, rag weed, tree pollen, etc., we continue to search for the illusive pill that will relieve our symptoms, but not leave us spaced out or groggy.
I have never been able to use prescription medications or even over the counter (OTC) products for my allergies. As a result I needed to find other alternatives. I have not found the Holy Grail for allergy relief, but I have learned some tricks that do help. Here are some common scents things we can all do to help with this 21st century plague.
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REDUCE EXPOSURE TO ALLERGENS
The very first thing to keep in mind is to avoid exposure when possible. This is huge! Keeping your allergen exposure down will reduce your discomfort and your need for treatment.
IF YOU ARE ALLERGIC TO YOUR PET, at least keep your bedroom out of bounds to them. Create an allergen free, safe haven for at least 8 hours every day.
IF YOU HAVE A DUST ALLERGY, perhaps you can find someone to dust for you so that you do not have to expose yourself to the allergen. It is very vogue to barter these days. Perhaps you have a friend that would love help with her windows in the spring and fall. Otherwise, a cleaning service hired just for dusting and vacuuming is possible for some of us. At a minimum, use a dust mask when you dust or vacuum your home.
IF YOU HAVE OUTDOOR ALLERGIES, stay inside on days with a high pollen count. Keep your windows closed during especially difficult times. Install an allergen filter in your home’s heating/cooling system. I like the ones that you can take out and rinse as often as needed. It is a onetime purchase price and can make a big difference. It can be very beneficial to rinse your face with clear water morning and night to remove pollen and other allergens. This also reduces the allergens brought into your bed each night as well.
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SIMPLE DIETARY SUGGESTIONS
ELIMINATE DAIRY. – According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dairy is known as a ‘wet’ food. That means that it makes phlegm thicker and more irritating to mucous membranes (throat, sinuses etc). Obviously, this is something we want to avoid during allergy season. It may take about a week without dairy, but it will thin mucous so that it will flow better, helping us feel more comfortable.
Consult your health care provider if you have any special dietary needs that this may impact.
INCREASE YOUR INTAKE OF FOODS HIGH IN VITAMIN C. – Vitamin C has an slight anti-histamine affect in the body. Instead of taking processed Vitamin C tablets, just squeeze fresh lemon juice into your beverages during the day.
INCREASE YOUR CONSUMPTION OF WATER. – Water helps to liquefy mucus and allows it to flow better so that the body can remove it. This helps us feel more comfortable and also eliminates a breeding ground for bacteria.
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NATURAL OPTIONS FOR ALLERGY SYMPTOMS
Essential oils can help relieve some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction such as congestion and inflammation.
LAVENDER (Lavandula angustifolia) has a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory affect. Add a few drops of Lavender to your body oil or lotion. Apply to the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together and cup them over your nose. Inhale, 4-6 deep breaths and massage the remaining oil or lotion on your chest or back of neck to continue inhaling the benefits. Apply as needed for relief of symptoms.
PEPPERMINT (Mentha piperita) has analgesic (pain relief) and anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to relieve nasal congestion. Peppermint is an invigorating oil that will also help with the fatigue associated with allergies. Apply 1-2 drops of Peppermint essential oil to to your body oil or lotion. Apply to the palm of your hand. Rub your hands together and cup them over your nose. Inhale 4-6 breaths. Apply the remaining oil to the back of the neck 2 times/day. Or try RELIEF blend which contains both Lavender and Peppermint oil in a convenient roller. Apply as needed for relief of symptoms.
ROSEMARY (Rosmarinus officinalis) has analgesic (pain relief), antispasmodic, decongestant, and expectorant qualities. This oil can be very helpful for the congestion and sneezing due to allergies. Add a few drops to the floor of your shower in the morning.
EUCALYPTUS (Eucalyptus globulus) has antispasmodic, antiviral, decongestant, and expectorant benefits. This oil can also be very helpful for the congestion and sneezing due to allergies. Drop a few drops into your steamy shower in the morning to open clogged breathing or take a whiff right from the essential oil bottle.
BREATHE blend was especially formulated to provide comfort for the congestion associated with colds and allergies. It contains Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Peppermint, Lavender, Frankincense and Lemon, which together have a synergistic affect on the symptoms associated with both allergy and colds. INHALE. Apply a small amount of BREATHE salve to the chest for hours of relief. Apply as needed during the day and before bed. BREATHE is also available as an inhaler.
LAUREL LEAF (Laurus nobilis) is wonderful for relieving cold and allergy symptoms.
Using a combination of essential oils can reduce common allergy symptoms. HEARTSCENT provides this blend in a handy inhaler format. A-LERGY INHALER is a simple, drug free way to reduce allergy symptoms for many individuals. For more information on Inhalers – READ MORE
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. If you experience a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) please seek immediate medical attention.
