How to Use Natural Remedies for Allergies

Allergies are happen when your immune system overreacts to pollen, molds, grass, dander and cosmetics. Once exposed, the body produces histamines or leukotrienes. Symptoms include runny nose, itchy throat, congestion, sneezing, coughing and runny eyes. Antihistamines to deal with allergies are popular, but often carry unwanted side effects such as drowsiness, depression and dizziness. But there are natural remedies for allergies.

Things You'll Need

• Fruits and vegetables
• Herbal remedies
• Omega-3 fatty acids
• Local honey
• Apple cider vinegar

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Instructions

• 1

  Talk to your doctor. There may be some contraindications to certain natural remedies, especially if you have chronic conditions or are on certain medicines.

• 2

  Go vegan. A vegan diet consists of only vegetable products; no animal products including eggs and dairy. Some allergies are caused by the release of leukotrienes. Leukotrienes are released due to the presence of arachidonic acid, which is only found in animal products.

• 3

  Try some herbal remedies. Nettle, ephedra, garlic and echinacea can all be used to treat allergies to varying rates of success. Double check with your doctor though, since some of these herbs may make chronic conditions such as high blood pressure worse.

• 4

  Increase your fruits and vegetables intake. Fruits and vegetables contain flavonoids or bioflavonoids which give fruits and vegetables their color. Flavonoids may help reduce histamine and leukotriene production.

• 5

  Take Omega-3 fatty acids. People who eat a lot of foods high in omega-3 fatty acids such as salmon, tuna and walnuts don't have as many allergies as others.

• 6

  Find some local honey. It must be honey local to your area. Many farmers' markets sell local honey. The bees use the same pollen to make the honey that you're allergic to, and ingesting the honey is a natural remedy for allergies to pollen.

• 7

  Drink some apple cider vinegar. While this may seem nasty to take, many people report an ease of their symptoms by taking a 1/8 cup of vinegar once a day.