It’s been all over the news, so you’ve probably seen it: research indicates that people who use allergy medications regularly may be at greater risk for dementia. Building on a study published last year, researchers at Indiana University School of Medicine have found that people who use anticholinergic medications, like Benadryl and Claritin, regularly, have reduced metabolic function and decreased brain size. While the risk varies, based on different factors like sensitivity, age and lifestyle, it’s still a good reason to try and avoid taking allergy medicine. Fortunately, there are many natural remedies for allergies, so you’re sure to find one that works for you.
- Using an air purifier with a HEPA filter, or a cool mist humidifier can alleviate suffering at home. By filtering out the spores and pollen in your home with an air purifier, you’ll make the air much more breathable. Using a cool mist humidifier pulls allergens out of the air, by binding them to water droplets so they fall to the floor and can’t be inhaled. Of course, these measures don’t help you when you’re out of your own house.
- Local honey or bee pollen can act as a natural allergy shot. Before allergy season starts, begin ingesting pollen or honey, gathered as locally as you can find. While there’s not really hard evidence to back this up, many people swear by this method of helping your body adapt to local allergens.
- Flushing your sinuses can alleviate allergy symptoms. Using a Neti pot, flushing your sinuses with saline, or steaming your sinuses over a pot of boiling water that’s been infused with essential, can open your sinuses and flush out allergens and contaminants.
- Probiotics can be helpful, because allergies are the result of an imbalance in your system. There is research to indicate that beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract can reduce allergies, so it’s a good idea to try incorporating foods like yogurt, Kombucha, and Kefir into your diet.
- Apple cider vinegar is an old-fashioned remedy, but many people find it extremely effective. For the best results, buy unpasteurized, unfiltered, unrefined apple cider, and drink small amounts of it diluted in water. The brownish colored tiny things that look like cobwebs floating in the cider make up what’s known as the “mother”, actually the enzymes of connected protein molecules that make cider so effective.
- Supplements are also available, to treat your allergies. Quercetin is a natural bioflavonoid and potent antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation and prevent the release of histamines. Nettle leaf is another antihistamine, and spirulina contains vitamin B12 and protein, to help nasal congestion. All of these can be incorporated into your diet, but taking a supplement can provide more targeted relief.
- Sublingual Immunotherapy has been widely used in Europe for decades, but is just gaining a foothold in the US. In this alternative to allergy shots, the patient receives small doses of allergens under the tongue, from an allergist. These little doses help boost tolerance and reduce symptoms.
At our clinic, we embrace an integrated approach to wellness, seeking to address the underlying cause of medical issues, rather than simply treating symptoms. If you’re plagued by allergies, we have allergy testing to determine the source of your woes, and natural treatments to help alleviate them. For more information about how we can help you live a healthier life, call today for your free consultation.
