It’s hard to believe that Fall is right around the corner considering temps in the South are still flirting with triple digits. But colder weather will be here before we know it and sometimes it seems the moment the weather changes, our bodies go into overdrive, kicking off allergic reactions, sneezing, and even bad colds and other minor illnesses. Thankfully, there are a number of natural remedies and ingredients that you can use to give your body’s immune system a boost, and weather the changes of the seasons with ease.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water and other liquids is one of those things that we all know that we are supposed to do, and yet we sometimes (oftentimes) fail to do it. All year round, including in the winter, people need at least one litre of clean, fresh water per day, and much more during hot weather or periods of physical exertion.
Every function and process in our body depends on an ample supply of water to function. When we stay hydrated, our body’s immune system and other vital defenses have the necessary components to keep us healthy. People with severe allergies report having much milder symptoms when they stay properly hydrated.
Salt Water/Saline Rinses
Salty water is one of the greatest natural compounds ever discovered for clearing out your nose, sinus passages, and other clogged breathing passages.
Tip: mix three spoonfuls of salt (with no iodine added) with one spoonful of baking soda. Place the contents in a sealed container. Add a teaspoon of clean, purified water (do not use tap water) to the mixture. Then fill a bulb syringe or other device with the solution and squirt it into your nostril. Hold for a moment, and then let drain completely before treating the other nostrils. If you own a Neti pot, you can use the same solution as described above.
If your throat hurts, you can also try gargling the same mixture as described above. Be sure to spit out the and completely remove the solution and not to swallow it, as it may cause stomach upset or irritation from the salt.
Local Honey
Local honey contains a blend of local pollen and eating it can strengthen your immune system and reduce pollen allergy symptoms. Honey is so versatile and can be incorporated into anything from breakfast foods to desserts. It’s an easy and affordable way to keep your sinuses under control year-round.
Stay Warm and Rested
Again, it’s one of those simple things that we all know, and yet we sometimes need to be reminded once again of how important it is to be rested. When our bodies are fighting off infections, colds and allergies, it requires a lot of energy and sustenance. The best thing you can do for yourself is to get enough rest, to stay warm, and to not overexert yourself when your body is trying to heal. Forcing yourself to go into work or school when you’re sick just ends up prolonging the recovery period, as well as increasing the risk of you infecting your friends, family members and coworkers.
An Extra Pillow
Sometimes, when we are feeling congested or stuffed up, a slight change in angle can make a world of difference. By raising your head up higher than normal with an extra pillow, your sinus passages can gently drain during the night, giving you some relief by the morning. If the angle is not comfortable enough for sleep, try putting some pillows underneath your mattress or bed frame to create a more gentle slope.
Butterbur
There’s been a lot of excitement lately over the discovery that a natural plant called butterbur can work to reduce or eliminate allergic reactions in people. Some patients have even reported completely eliminating the use of pharmaceutical compounds thanks to butterbur.
Butterbur is available from many health food stores, chemists, and other shops. It has an additional advantage of not causing sleepiness, a common side effects with many anti-allergenic prescription medications.
Quercetin
Although the name sounds mysterious, this is a common natural ingredient found in many vegetables and plants. While some people prefer to simply eat more fresh fruits and vegetables to get more quercetin in their diet, some chemists and health food shops do sell quercetin supplements. The active compound in quercetin works much as an antihistamine or anti-inflammatory drug.
Apple Cider Vinegar
We all grew up with a bottle of vinegar in the cupboard, and it has many, many uses beyond a simple flavor compound in food recipes.
Tip: mix one spoonful of organic apple cider vinegar with a full glass of water, and drink the entire contents. Try drinking up to three glasses of this formula to both prevent future allergic attacks as well as to reduce the onset of current symptoms.
Probiotics
When we get sick, many times the doctor or nurse will prescribe a course of antibiotics, which while it may work to cure the infection, also strips your body of its valuable good bacteria.
Drinking fermented drinks such as kefir, kombucha, and organic yogurt can help restore your body’s colonies of helpful bacteria and microorganisms. Capsules, pills and supplements are also sold separately for people not wishing to drink dairy products.
Go forth and stay healthy!
A few tweaks in your everyday routine and diet can help keep annoying allergy and cold symptoms away.