The same beautiful flowers that delight our senses this time of year wreak havoc on the millions of Americans who suffer from allergies. Basically, spring allergies are the body’s reaction to foreign pollen in the air. Pollens are tiny powdery grains released from flowering plants, which are carried by the wind or insects. Pollen can land in a person’s eyes, nose, lungs and skin and cause an allergic reaction. Pollen can travel long distances and the levels in the air can vary from day to day.
Sneezing and watery discharges from the nose and eyes are some of the body's methods for flushing away the allergen particles. Because mucus is the body’s way of trapping foreign particles to keep them from invading our entire bodies, the sinuses are almost always affected by seasonal allergies. Aside from the physical discomfort associated with allergies, they can also affect our mental health. Several studies have shown that during allergy season sufferers experience a general sense of fatigue and are more prone to feelings of sadness. Allergy sufferers are also more prone to migraine headaches.
Because of the unpleasant side effects of over the counter and prescription allergy medicines, many sufferers look for natural ways to treat their seasonal allergies. For relief, look no further than your kitchen. One of the best allergy relief substances is locally produced honey. Honey has the dual advantage of relieving the discomfort associated with coughing while also helping to minimize your body’s immune response to pollen.
Eucalyptus and thyme are very effective in easing congestion. Just soak an ounce of eucalyptus or thyme in a cup of boiling water and inhale the steam. A cup of your favorite mint tea will also help congestion. Check your local health food store for supplements containing these and other natural allergy relievers.
Maintaining a healthy diet helps your body resist and fight allergies. Saturated fats, preservatives, fried foods and sugar can worsen symptoms. Make sure your diet has plenty of protein, fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains. People suffering from seasonal allergies should avoid milk and other dairy products because they thicken mucus and make it harder for the body to flush out the toxic substances.
Regular exercise is very important for allergy sufferers. Exercise strengthens the cardiovascular system and that helps eliminate wastes from the body. The sweating associated with exercise also speeds up the elimination process.
Sneezing, watery eyes and nasal drainage don’t have to dampen your warm weather fun. Treat your allergy symptoms the natural way and rediscover the joys of spring.
Yours in good health,
Sheila McCormick
Editor, IVL Health Watch