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Home Remedies to Manage Seasonal Allergy Symptoms in Adults

People become allergic and sensitized to the environment in a certain period of a year. Not all individuals are sensitive to environmental changes. Allergy symptoms can be itchy or running nose, redness of eyes, cough, sneeze, etc.

The main culprits for seasonal allergies are grass and weed pollen. The other plants that can trigger allergies are ragweed, Sagebrush, mugwort, burning bush, etc.

The allergen for the season can vary, e.g., Molds grow in hot and humid conditions, and ragweed pollens spread fast on cold nights.

One can visit a doctor and get a prescription of antihistamine or opt for home remedies to treat and prevent seasonal allergies.

Home remedies are safe without any side effects and are readily available at the time of need; one need not visit a doctor or a pharmacy.

There are several ingredients available in our house that can be prepared or consumed raw to prevent allergens’ sensitivity. These products contain ingredients that stimulate the immune system.

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms in Adults

  • Sneezing, runny, itchy and stuffy nose
  • Wheezing when breathing
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling of tight chest
  • Loss of smell
  • Itchy, watery, and red eyes

Home Remedies to Manage Seasonal Allergy Symptoms in Adults

Seasonal allergies (often called hay fever) are common. Here are some commonly available home remedies options which can be used for seasonal allergies.

1. Seasonal Allergies Relief with Vitamin C

Citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit, and lemons) are rich in vitamin C and can be a useful remedy for treating seasonal allergies.

Vitamin C helps in strengthening the immune system and fighting against seasonal allergens. Citrus fruit juice can be taken as a beverage with ice-cold water.

This great-tasting liquid helps you in overcoming the seasonal heat and also stimulates your immune system health.

You can consume this juice daily. Apart from citrus fruits, broccoli, kiwifruit, papaya, bell peppers, and strawberries can also be used as a source of Vitamin C to improve immunity.

How to use

  • Take juice of lemon and orange in 1: 4 ratios and add honey to taste.

2. Peppermint

These leaves are used in day-to-day life and are readily available. Peppermint is known for its aroma and essentials oils.

It possesses decongestant, anti-inflammatory, and mild antibacterial property.

You can administer peppermint as tea, which helps to loosen the mucus and soothes irritated, inflamed mucous membranes. You should use cautiously in children.

How to use

  • One can make peppermint tea with 1/2 ounce dried peppermint leaves in about 200 ml of boiling water. The peppermint water is extracted and if required sweetened to drink.
  • One can also inhale steam of peppermint tea to free the clogged nose.

3. Honey or Bee Pollen

Honey is known since ages for its nutrient and health benefits. It has immune-stimulant properties. It helps in fighting against infections and seasonal allergy symptoms in adults.

Bee pollen can do the same beneficial effects like honey. Start taking bee pollen in small doses and gradually increase the dose.

The bee pollen helps in the development of immunity. Childhood is a phase where children get exposed to bacteria and infections which help in building immunity and develops resistance to infections. This bee pollen helps in having a strong immune system.

Make sure the bee pollen is free of any harmful chemicals and insecticides. The tolerance is required to be developed for allergens from a local plant. Bee pollens can be available in the form of granules, capsules, and powder.

Bee pollen should be taken 5 months in advance of the season. The tablets or granules can be placed under the tongue or chewed.

When taking bee pollen make sure you don’t face any untoward adverse effect, in case you develop sensitivity contact a healthcare practitioner.

How to use

  • Honey can be consumed one teaspoon twice or thrice daily.
  • One can sprinkle bee pollen on yogurt or oatmeal.

4. Red Onion Water

Onions contain compounds which are known to prevent the production of an allergic substance, histamine.

Histamine is the agent that is responsible for allergic symptoms and can result in inflammation and bronchoconstriction.

The ingredient quercetin helps in reducing inflammation and bronchodilation. The dilation of bronchioles eases the opening of airways and helps you breath comfortably.

ALSO READ: Benefits of Eating Onions: Which Onion is the Healthiest?

How to use

  • Make thin slices of red onion and soak it in water overnight.
  • The ratio of onion and water is 1 : 4. Extract water and remove onion slices, add honey to taste. The prepared onion water can be stored in fridge for upto 4 days. You can drink this water upto two times daily.

5. Stinging Nettle

Stinging nettle is a household item which is being used as food and medicine. The plant possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-histaminic effects making it as an ideal anti-allergy preparation.

It is advised to take stinging nettle months before the season to stay protected during the time.

Stinging nettle can be consumed in a number of ways.It can be used in the form of infusion, tincture, capsules, soup, etc.

How to use

  • It can be infused with hot water and can be consumed as tea.
  • One can find capsules and tincture in herbal stores. It is best to use as homemade juice, soup or omelet of Stinging nettle.

6. Bromelain (Pineapple)

Bromelain is an ingredient present in pineapple. It is an excellent remedy to prevent and cure seasonal allergy symptoms in adults.

Bromelain possesses anti-inflammatory properties and eases digestion. Apart from anti-inflammatory properties, it is also useful in reducing pain.

It is also useful in sinusitis and hay fever, arthritis, gout and urinary problems. It relieves swelling and inflammation in the mucus of the nasal passage. Bromelain also helps in reducing pain associated with spring allergies.

Note: Bromelain may itself be allergic to some people.

How to use

  • Pineapple can be grilled and served with coconut ice cream
  • It can be used as salad with red pepper, cilantro and lime juice 
Related: Surprising Health Benefits of Eating Pineapple

7. Garlic

Garlic cloves are a part of individuals’ house. It possesses many health benefits including but not limited to allergies, control of cholesterol, blood pressure and immune stimulant.

Garlic acts as an antibiotic and helps in the prevention of allergies. It possesses many anti-oxidants which has beneficial effects. Garlic can be consumed raw.

How to use

  • One can consume a couple of cloves daily to prevent seasonal allergies. Garlic can be crushed to juice and add water in 1:1 ratio to drink.
  • Incase you don’t like the taste and smell of garlic, try making garlic preparation.
  • Mix honey and garlic in a ratio of 2:1. The combination of honey and garlic has an additive effect in the prevention and treatment of seasonal allergies. Garlic is also available as capsules in pharmacies.

8. Mushrooms

Mushrooms have been traditionally used by Greek people, and in China and Japan for boosting immunity.  They are considered as healthy and nutritious.

Mushrooms are composed of carbohydrates, fats, B vitamins (thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3)) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

Mushroom is consumed as food in many places, if you suffer from seasonal allergies make sure it is a part of your diet. It helps in improving immunity and as antiviral activity as well.

Mushrooms seem to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic activity. Reishi mushrooms are of particular importance for treating hay fever and it reduces allergic reaction.

How to use

  • Take couple of reishi slices in 1 L (approx.) water and boil for 15 mins. As the liquid is bitter to taste, you can add liquorice to sweeten it.
  • Strain the liquid and drink

9. Apples and Walnuts

Walnuts are rich in magnesium and help in reducing the wheezing or coughing. They are also rich in Vitamin E which acts as a potential immune stimulant and helps in fighting against infections.

Apples are composed of quercetin, an ingredient that has an antihistaminic effect and reduces the effects produced by histamine. The combination acts as an excellent remedy for seasonal allergies.

How to use

  • Chop walnuts and add small cut apples and season it with cherries or anything of interest.

ALSO READ: Benefits of Eating Walnuts

10. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has multiple health benefits. Its beneficial effects on seasonal allergies are quite significant as it possesses anti-histaminic and anti-inflammatory action.

How to use

  • The preparation of Apple cider vinegar for seasonal allergies is simple, mix one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar (ACV) and raw honey in one cup of warm water. Apple cider vinegar can be found easily in pharmacies.
  • You can also have raw, organic apple cider vinegar one table spoon daily to boost your immune system and fight against seasonal allergies.

Dr Maria

MD. Board Certified physician. Fellowship In Family Medicine UK. 8 years of medical experience in Lifestyle-related health disorders. Graduated from AIIMS – All India Institute Of Medical Science, INDIA

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