Even though it may feel like summer, the season doesn’t officially kick off until June 21. If you’re still suffering from springtime allergies, you may be interested in natural cures. Check out these no-medicine remedies to stop the endless pollen sneezes:
Eat more turmeric
What can’t turmeric do? This anti-inflammatory “king of spices” may have the power to prevent cancer, reduce heart disease risk and alleviate symptoms of seasonal allergies. Next time you’re stuffy, brew a pot of turmeric tea and make it dairy-free for the most decongesting potential.
Exercise
Exercise may help with allergy symptoms, as cardio is thought to reduce inflammation in the nose. But if you opt to go outdoors for your fitness routine, keep these tips from Wellness Today in mind: Work out in the afternoon or evening when the pollen count is lower, and wear a hat to prevent pollen from sticking to your hair. If your allergies are really bad, try an indoor fitness class or run on the treadmill.
Shower at night
If you’re normally a morning showerer, switch your routine to night during peak allergy season. Otherwise, you’ll be rolling around in the day’s pollen while you sleep.
Try acupuncture
Research in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that allergy sufferers who had frequent acupuncture sessions reported fewer allergy symptoms and used less allergy medication than those who didn’t get the treatment, Reader’s Digest reports.
Relax
Take a breather! Stress can cause many negative health effects, one of which is hay fever. A 2014 study in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found that stress triggered allergies. The study followed 179 people with hay fever and discovered that the 39 percent who had more than one allergy flare-up in the three-month span reported higher stress levels, according to Web MD. If you’re interested in meditation as a stress reliever, be sure to read up on “5 Simple Ways to Incorporate Meditation into Everyday Life.” Aim for working up to at least 10 minutes of meditation a day.
Add spirulina algae
A daily dose of spirulina algae might quell your allergy symptoms, as a study published in the European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology noted that about one-third of a teaspoon of spirulina powder every day for six months decreased congestion and sneezing, Prevention reports. Bonus: Spirulina is a source of protein.
Try probiotics
Research shows that probiotics may help prevent and treat seasonal allergies, too. Check out our list of probiotic sources including yogurt and kefir: (“Your Guide to Probiotic-Rich Foods for Healthier Digestion”).
Do you suffer from seasonal allergies? How do you find relief? Share with us below!