Allergic reactions have increased dramatically over the past decades. Common symptoms of hay fever can include a stuffy nose, sinus pain, headache, fatigue, itchy throat, watery eyes, and more. Many people suffer from hay fever, also known as pollen allergy.
You can be especially sensitive to allergies if you have a weakened immune system, digestive problems, underlying illnesses, experience a lot of emotional and physical stress, lack sleep, or are pregnant.
In this article, we will guide you on how to counteract and ease pollen allergy naturally. Remember, treating allergies requires patience and a combination of strategies.
5 steps to relieve pollen allergy naturally
1. Review your diet
- Avoid gluten and dairy products for a while before, during, and after the pollen season. Dairy products produce mucus and make it harder for the body to handle allergies.
- Remove as many allergens and burdensome substances as you can, such as alcohol, white sugar, eggs, soy products, peanuts, etc., to support your body’s focus during the pollen season.
Foods that can relieve allergy symptoms
- Plenty of pure water, preferably with squeezed lemon.
- 1 tsp organic unfiltered apple cider vinegar in water 2-3 times a day.
- Cold-extracted honey.
- Lots of colorful vegetables, nettles, and berries, antioxidants!
- Spirulina is said to help stop the release of histamine that causes symptoms.
- Fermented vegetables like sauerkraut or kimchi.
- Pineapple: the enzyme bromelain found in pineapple can help reduce reactions to allergens. You should eat the core of a ripe pineapple. If that’s not available, bromelain supplements exist.
- Onion and garlic.
- Spicy food.
- Bone broth or miso soup if you want a vegetarian option. It’s very beneficial for the gut.
2. Use dietary supplements
Sometimes the body needs a little extra help, and supplements are an excellent complement.
- Pollen enzyme with bromelain, ginger, and quercetin, among others.
- Pollenoptimal with black cumin, vitamin C, sea buckthorn, ginger, quercetin, and bromelain, among others.
- Quercetin.
- Bromelain.
- Extra vitamin C.
- Healthy gut bacteria.
- Zinc.
- Nettle***.
Interesting: Some phytonutrients have been shown to block the release of histamine.
*Quercetin is an example of a plant flavonoid and antioxidant found in many fruits and vegetables such as cabbage, blueberries, broccoli, and tomatoes.
**Bromelain has been shown in some studies to reduce nasal swelling, allowing better breathing. The product Proteazym contains a lot of bromelain.
***Read more about the amazing nettle.
3. Avoid pollen as much as possible
An important way to reduce allergy symptoms is, of course, to start eliminating pollen from your indoor environment as much as possible.
- Keep windows closed at home and at work during the day.
- Always wash your hands and face after being outside.
- Shower and rinse your hair before going to bed.
- Don’t surround yourself with too much fabric at home; for example, pillows and heavy curtains should be removed when allergies are at their worst.
- The best time to go for a walk is in the evening or after a nice rain shower when the pollen has settled.
It’s good to know which substances can cause and worsen pollen allergy:
- Pollen from trees such as birch, oak, beech, and elm, mugwort, and ragweed.
- Grass.
- Elements from trees and flowers.
- Mold.
- Dust.
4. Stay updated with pollen forecasts
With the help of the pollen forecast, you can plan your daily life. There are several websites online that show it so you know when you can go outside.
You can also apply a bit of thick cream under your nose before going outdoors to create a “pollen trap.” For example, shea butter works well for this.
5. Rinse your airways with a neti pot
Rinse your nose every day with a neti pot. Mix lukewarm water with natural salt and add it to the neti pot.
