|  | Conditions Treatments | Allergies

Holistic Treatment for Seasonal Allergies

If the arrival of fall brings with it a feeling of congestion, burning eyes and the need to carry a box of tissues everywhere you go, you may have seasonal allergies. And if you do not like the way allergy medications and treatments make you feel, there are holistic options that can complement or replace conventional remedies.

  1. Saline or nasal rinses

    • Keep your nose clear

      The nose traps irritants, which can then produce seasonal allergy symptoms such as sneezing. Saline sprays can keep the inside of the nose moist and reduce irritation. You can also use a product like NeilMed Sinus Rinse to remove pollen, debris and foreign substances. A neti pot can also rinse away foreign particles, flush out excess mucus naturally and keep the nasal passages clear.

    Salt lamps

    • Salt lamps, some experts claim, relieve allergy and sinus symptoms by cleaning the surrounding air. Product vendors such as Designed4LifeUSA.com say the Himalayan salt the lamp uses contains 84 elements (including minerals) found in the human body and contains no pollutants. When the lamp's bulb heats the salt, it releases negative ions that remove contaminants from the air.

    Ear candling

    • Keep ears clean with candling

      Ear candling pulls wax and debris from the ear, relieving symptoms such as feeling "all plugged up." You may need to use as many as three candles per ear during each session. After the treatment, a staff member at Celebration, an alternative-products retailer located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, suggests applying a few drops of tea tree oil in each ear.

    Humidifiers and air purifiers

    • Humidifiers keep the air in your home moist. But some cool-air humidifiers can breed dust mites and mold, which worsen allergy symptoms. For better results, especially in dry climates or during winter, you might want to try a warm mist humidifier such as the Enviracaire model. Air purifiers can help clean bacteria, viruses and pollutants from indoor air.

    Considerations

    • If your seasonal allergies are severe, discuss treatment options with your doctor. Often people do not like the sensation of nasal rinses or neti pots, so their use may require practice. Do not perform ear candling while you're alone; you will need assistance. Try one holistic method at a time before implementing multiple treatments.

Allergies - Related Articles