May is National Asthma and Allergies Awareness Month, and for an estimated 35 million Americans, it’s a time of great itching, sneezing, congestion, sniffling and all-around Hell. Here are a few remedies to defend yourself against environmental changes this spring:
- If you’re prone to seasonal allergies like clockwork, start your meds 3 weeks ahead.
- Congested? Eat more spicy foods, which can thin and drain mucus. Also, drink more water, juice and tea, which also loosen up your nasal passageways.
- Create your own nasal spray using water, baking soda and salt.
- Allergic to pollen? Don’t eat bananas, melons or sunflower seeds, which exacerbate symptoms.
- Allergic to yeast or mold? Cut back on aged cheeses and high-yeast foods.
- Allergic to trees? Avoid celery, carrots, apples, potatoes, peaches, flowering herbs (anise, caraway, coriander, cumin, fennel, parsley), parsnips and nuts during this season.
- Refined sugars, flours and processed foods trigger inflammation – avoid them!
- It may look stupid, but wearing a mask while doing yard work can help a lot.
- Go to Pollen.com and track your area’s allergy forecast to plan your events accordingly.
- Neti pots and nasal sprays can help clear out sinuses like nothing else. Just be careful not to become addicted to your nasal spray by using it for too many consecutive days.
- Are your kids allergic to ragweed and grasses? Give them some vitamin-D fortified milk!
- Try OTC medications like Claritin, Zyrtec, Allegra or Xyzal to relieve symptoms.
- Close your windows and keep the air-conditioning on to limit your exposure.
- Leave your shoes at the door and prevent tracking allergens into your home.
- Buy an air purifier with a delivery rate of 350+ and a HEPA filter.
- Do a little spring cleaning of your car and home to get rid of any allergens present.
- Shower before bed to avoid rubbing pollen trapped in your hair onto your pillow.
- Wear sunglasses to keep allergens out of your eyes.
- Take 200 – 600 milligrams (up to 3x/day) of the antioxidant quercetin to block histamine.
- If all else fails, consider getting allergy immunotherapy shots.
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| Article: Jennn Fusion
Twitter: @jennnfusion |
