7 Natural Ways To Reduce Seasonal Allergies

Allergy season has officially made its entry with the dry winters commencing in India.. This time of the year is for flu, cold and cough that often follow from nights of constant festivities. Cough, cold, eye irritation, throat infections are all caused due to seasonal allergies. Allergies are caused due to pollution, smog, pollen, dust, and all the environmental factors that come into play. Every person as per his or her immunity falls prey to these environmental factors. The quickest fix to the problem is popping an anti-allergy pill, no doubt, but doing this solves the problem only temporarily. So building a better immune system is one of the solutions towards seasonal allergies. We got a few insights from Luke Coutinho, Founder of You Care on allergies and ways to prevent them. Here are a few ways to prevent allergies.

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How to prevent seasonal allergies?

7 Tips And Tricks To Reduce Seasonal Allergies

1. Improve Liver Health

A sluggish liver is linked to our proneness to seasonal allergies because the body isn't effectively able to cleanse itself of the toxins. These toxins overstimulate our immune system, trigger inflammatory responses, release histamine. Amongst several lifestyle changes one can make, a remedy that works well is taking a combination of 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice each on an empty stomach early in the morning for three days. Consuming apple cider vinegar 30 minutes before your meals, can also improve the liver health,

2. Quercetin-Rich Food

Quercetin is a flavonoid found in plants that have an immunity-boosting and antioxidant effect. Research shows that the intake of food rich in quercetin exhibits an anti-allergic immune response in the body. The simplest way to get quercetin is to add a few slices of raw onion to your meals, which is a part of our traditional Indian wisdom. In case you are allergic to onions or avoid it due to religious reasons, opt for apples, grapes, crucifers, citrus fruits, or berries which are quercetin rich too.

Raw onions

3. Get Rid Of Excess Mucus

Mucus in the right quantity has a protective effect on our body. It helps trap dirt, allergens, and pollutants, but excess of it can serve as a breeding ground for pathogens as they thrive in moist environments. It is thus important to add ingredients that can help expel excess mucus and decongest your lungs. Herbs and spices like thyme, cardamom, licorice, and oregano, when brewed into tea loosens up the mucus. Even bromelain found in pineapples works as a decongestant. Nasal irrigation or Jal neti, an ancient yogic kriya, is powerful for expelling and draining out excess mucus and clearing up the respiratory passages.

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4. Castor Oil

Pure castor oil contains a chemical known as ricinoleic acid. Numerous scientific studies show how its external application increases T-lymphocyte production and activity, strengthening the immune system. Lymphocytes are also known as white blood cells which play a vital role in identifying, killing, and removing bacteria, fungi, and viruses from the body. When castor oil is applied to the abdomen in the form of packs, they help stimulate the function of Peyer's patches. Peyer's patches are specialized lymph nodes in the small intestine that play an important role in immunity, digestion, and detoxification.

Castor oil and garlic

5. Consume Honey Infused With Garlic

Both honey and garlic have great immunity-boosting properties and the combination of the two ingredients can make it a super powerful immunity-boosting remedy for every age group. Take 10 to 12 cloves of garlic. Crush them to release allicin which is an active ingredient. Addit to a jar with unpasteurized organic honey. Let it settle for around 3 days. Consume 2 to tablespoon of this paste daily. It's great for boosting liver health and combating seasonal allergies.

6. Reduce Pollen Exposure

The best way to avoid seasonal allergies is to avoid pollen exposures all together by staying indoors. This is not very easy, but one can give it a try. The pollen count is higher during the mornings so it is a good idea to keep the windows and doors closed. You can also avoid driving with the windows rolled down. Try wearing masks when you are outside the house.

7. Know The Allergy Symptoms

If you are someone who has been having allergies all your life, be alert to the symptoms that your body shows. Runny nose, nasal congestion, itchy eyes, sneezing, headaches, scratchy throat, fatigue etc.are a few of the common allergy symptoms. When you experience one of these, make sure to take the necessary precautions to avoid worsening the situation.