8 Natural Allergy Remedies That Really Work ...

This is a bit of an odd one, but it really works. Simply, the plan is to wash out your sinuses, removing allergens and irritants. Less allergens = less sneezes. You’ll need a Netipot, or a large squeeze bottle, and some saline solution (you can get it in most drug stores). Once you’ve mixed it up, it’s time to get going. Fill the squeeze bottle with 8oz of saline solution, and tilt your head forward over the sink. Then pant like a puppy while squirting the solution up one nostril, allowing it to fall out of the other. If you are panting properly, you’ll close the nose to avoid any uncomfortable feelings, and washing your nostrils will be easy. But yes, this is probably one of those natural allergy remedies that you should do while on your own!

Most people pack away their humidifiers after winter, but it could be very worthwhile keeping it in action. While the nights are still cool, humidity is still low, so setting your humidifier onto a cool setting can help to rid the air of allergens. The water droplets will bind to allergens and irritants, and make them heavy enough that they fall to the ground rather than float around waiting to be inhaled. Just make sure the setting is on cool!

Steam inhalation aims to reduce congestion caused by allergies, using nothing but essential oils. Most essential oils can be picked up at health food shops or drug stores, and some popular scents are found at supermarkets, too. Use them by filling a saucepan with water and bringing it to a boil. Put the saucepan on a smooth, cool surface and drop in 3 drops each of eucalyptus and rosemary, and two of myrtle and tea tree. Tent a towel over the saucepan to prevent burns, and inhale deeply for 10 minutes. Repeat three times a day for maximum effect.

Suffering more than usual this year? Your immune system could be low, which drastically increases allergic reactions. Top it up by stocking up on probiotics that contain Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GG, Bifidobacterium Lactis and Acidophilus. Plain yogurt is an easy way to increase the amount of probiotics in your diet.

Extract from stinging nettle leaf is found in a variety of allergy cures, but if you want to be sure it’s completely natural, you can make the tea yourself. Find some stinging nettles, and carefully pick off the leaves. Then carefully pour boiling water over the leaves, and cover the cup for 15 minutes with the leaves inside. This allows the oils to seep into the tea. The same should be done with pre-made stinging nettle teabags – a fifteen-minute soaking period really gets the most out of these plants.

Some people swear by homeopathy to keep their allergies at bay. The most commonly used essences are Euphrasia, which heals burning, itchy eyes, and Allium Cepa, for runny noses. It’s recommended that you try essences one at a time to see which work for you, before mixing them. Both of these remedies usually come as tiny tablets which dissolve under the tongue.

Vitamin C can work as a strong natural antihistamine, and some sufferers claim it can dramatically reduce or even completely stop symptoms. In order to be effective, most people need to take around 1000mg of vitamin C, twice a day. It’s always a good idea to see your doctor before you take it, though, as any vitamin change can affect existing medication. If your doctor is happy, give it a try – within a week or so you should see and feel the difference.

There’s always been a lot of talk about apple cider vinegar being effective, but nobody knew what to do with it. Ever tried drinking vinegar? Ew. The tablets aren’t much better. Last Summer, a friendly lady on holiday shared with me the secret – wash your hair with it. Using apple cider vinegar as a hair rinse washes out allergens much better than any shampoo, and you’ll feel your symptoms disappear like magic. Try using half a cup of vinegar mixed with half a cup of water twice a week – this is one of the natural allergy remedies I wish I’d found years ago.

I’ve always suffered during the summer – hay fever sucks, because just as the world gets a fresh floral makeover, I have to stay inside! Try mixing and matching a variety of hay fever remedies to see what soothes your symptoms, and don’t be afraid to try the weirder options too. When it comes to natural allergy remedies, it seems the weirder it is, the better it is! Have you found a great allergy cure? I’d love to hear about it! *sniffle*