Allergy: solutions to protect yourself naturally?
Written by: Loris Vitry (holistic coach)
Validated by: Cathy Maillot (Osteopath)
Caution: If you have any medical questions or concerns, please speak to your doctor. Even if the articles on this site are based on scientific studies, they do not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
The effects of allergies are known to everyone : sneezing, watery eyes, stuffy nose, etc.
The allergy is often minimized, or even ignored, because one in three people suffering from allergies is not treated.
However, there are natural remedies commonly known as grandmother recipes that can be an effective aid in fighting allergies.
Check out some of these remedies in this article.
What is an allergy?
Allergy is defined as a phenomenon characterized by an abnormal reaction of the immune system in the presence of a foreign substance.
In other words, it is a disease that causes various symptoms such as : asthma, hay fever, conjunctivitis, eczema, hives and others.
Indeed, it manifests itself when the organism meets the allergen, by ingestion, by inhalation or by skin contact.
As a result the immune system is triggered because it considers the allergen as a serious enemy.
The allergy can start at any age and symptoms can appear from birth or even in adulthood.
It is true that some people are genetically predisposed to manifest an allergy.
Regarding the types of allergies, we have:
- food allergies,
- respiratory allergies,
- skin contact allergies,
- drug allergies,
- and occupational allergies.
All of these types of allergies can manifest in different ways.
Natural remedies to cure allergy
As a reminder, allergies are caused most of the time by pollen, dust and also mites.
It follows, itching, eczema, redness sometimes coupled with an irritating cough.
Go for the following natural remedies to relieve the symptoms a bit.
Herbal tea with dried thyme
It is effective against repeated coughing and sneezing.
Just heat the water to prepare the dried thyme tea.
You can also use lavender, chamomile or eucalyptus, etc.
Peppermint or nettle tea
It is one of the most effective herbal remedies.
It is a natural remedy for seasonal allergies.
Among many virtues, it helps to alleviate symptoms, in particular, of hay fever by acting as an antihistamine.
Simply pour two teaspoons of it into 150ml of hot water and let it infuse for at least ten minutes.
You should drink this herbal tea two to three times a day.
Cold water compresses on the eyes
Applying a cold water compress to the eyes is also a natural remedy.
It helps to calm itching and swelling of the eye wall.
Alternatively, you could use a cotton pad soaked in rose water for ten minutes.
However, avoid direct contact of the ice with the skin as this may cause a burn.
Salt and hot water
When the nose is irritated, this composition makes it possible to moisten the mucous membranes.
You can make your own salt water solution.
To do this, simply dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in hot water (250 mL).
Then find a device that you can use to inject the mixture into each nostril and use it.
Tarragon
Generally, tarragon is used to relieve dental pain and to fight insomnia.
Beyond this role, it is also an antiallergic.
Put a few drops of tarragon oil on a handkerchief and inhale this at least three times in a day.
It is also possible to chew the tarragon leaves or eat them on a piece of bread, in the morning and in the evening.
Honey
Honey helps relieve sore throats in case of allergy.
The ideal is to choose organic honey produced in your region.
In case of allergy, honey can reduce the sensitivity of local pollens.
To do this, consume two tablespoons a day and make sure that the honey melts in your mouth for five to ten minutes.
You can start treatment two months before the time when you have the most hay fever.
Onion
Onion is a source of vitamin C.
It also contains quercetin which is an antioxidant and which acts as a natural antihistamine, very effective against allergies.
To benefit from it, cut into thin slices a red onion and infuse it in 1 L of mineral water for 8 to 12 hours.
You can keep the mixture for 4 days in the fridge
If you don’t like the taste, add a teaspoon of honey to each of the glasses.
Some preventive measures against allergies
Although it is possible to treat yourself naturally against allergies, respecting a healthy diet helps prevent them.
Indeed there are foods that must necessarily be avoided in order not to suffer from allergies.
Eating these foods can sometimes make symptoms worse.
Avoid spicy dishes but also alcohol.
The consumption of alcohol would increase runny nose as well as sneezing.
Stress also worsens allergic reactions.
It is therefore possible to fight against allergies by reducing stress.
This can be done through the practice of relaxing activities over a period of 30 minutes.
These activities can successfully modify the behavior of immune cells and thus reduce allergic reactions.
Apart from that, there are a few things you should do if you have an allergy to improve your daily life.
Among others, these are:
- wash your hair before bed to get rid of pollens;
- change your clothes regularly and avoid drying them outside;
- ventilate the rooms of the house in the event of rain;
- avoid smoking;
- close windows and use air conditioning while driving.
In short, it is only one facet of natural remedies to treat allergy.
However, natural comfort remedies should not replace any drug treatment.
If symptoms worsen or persist, you should consult your doctor.
In fact, in many cases, the most effective treatments for allergies are antihistamines prescribed by the doctor.
The ideal is therefore to make an allergological assessment to know your allergic profile and which natural remedies are more suitable for you.
