How to Relieve Spring Allergies Naturally & Effectively

As springtime unfurls its striking colors and warmth - or at least warmer temperatures - we can look forward to spending more time in the beautiful outdoors.

But this time of year can be challenging for those of us who suffer from spring allergies like hay fever. You don't want to say no to meeting up with your friends or taking your children places, but at the same time, you know that your allergies can make you feel miserable as well as ill.

While for many of us, the first ports of call at this time of the year are over-the-counter and prescription medicines, there are many ways to enjoy non-medicinal spring allergy relief, too.

Let’s explore how to relieve spring allergies naturally with six unique solutions that may help you stop sneezing!

Quercetin

Don’t worry! Although quercetin may sound like something you’d buy from the pharmacy, there’s a reason it’s here in our natural spring allergy remedies!

Quercetin is a natural flavonoid found in many fruits and vegetables, including onions, apples, grapefruit, and berries. So, by following a healthy diet, you'll also get the added benefit of reducing your reaction to allergens!

Various studies, including one published in the Journal of Biological Regulators and Homeostatic Agents, found that quercetin contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It also inhibits the body's release of histamine, which helps reduce the symptoms of hay fever and other allergic reactions.

Quercetin is also known for having unique anticancer properties, giving you more than one reason to consume more foods containing this flavonoid!

In addition to the foods mentioned above, you'll find quercetin in lower quantities in black tea, leafy green vegetables, and beans.

Eat up and beat your spring allergies!

Butterbur

The United Kingdom’s British Medical Journal found that butterbur extract is as effective as over-the-counter antihistamines for reducing hay fever symptoms. The best part? You don't get the drowsiness and other side effects associated with taking the medication. That could be an even more significant benefit if you need to take prescription medications to manage your symptoms.

While butterbur is most commonly available in supplement form in the United States, you can find butterbur root or butterbur leaf for sale as an herbal tea online.

Probiotics

Probiotics are another solution that might make us reach for a supplement rather than be considered a non-medicinal spring allergy remedy.

But, just as with quercetin, the answer to your spring allergy woes might lie in ensuring you're consuming plenty of foods that are good for you anyway.

What can you consume to naturally increase your intake of probiotics?

• Kombucha and buttermilk are both great-tasting drinks that are high in probiotics. Kombucha is widely available in everyday grocery stores in addition to health food shops; remember to check the label to ensure that there are no unnecessary additives!
• Yogurt and kefir are excellent breakfast choices if you can consume and enjoy consuming dairy. Many non-dairy alternatives these days are fortified with probiotics, which aren't naturally present.
• Fermented foods like kimchi and sauerkraut can bring extra flavor as well as a health boost to any mealtime.
• Foods that are likely already a part of your diet, like onions, pickles, olives, peas, and apples, are also natural probiotics.

How do probiotics work to counter spring allergies? Research suggests that due to the role of your gut microbiome in balancing your immune system, increasing your intake of probiotics helps your immune system not overreact to allergens and thus prevents you from experiencing too many symptoms when you're exposed to pollen or dust.

Bromelain

Do you love eating pineapple – and not just when trying to convince your friends that it's acceptable to put on a pizza?

If so, you're in luck!

Bromelain is an anti-inflammatory enzyme found in the pineapple stem and pineapple juice. It's also mucolytic, which can help reduce nasal swelling and congestion, both familiar symptoms if you suffer from hay fever or other spring allergies.

An Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine journal study backed up these findings when using bromelain as a supplement, so consider trying it from a natural source.

Nettles

Nettle – popular as a tea and a cooked leafy green – has long been considered a natural antihistamine.

Some health experts recommend taking freeze-dried stinging nettle supplements before hay fever season. In addition, many individuals anecdotally report that they found nettles and nettle products effective in relieving allergies and their symptoms and that they are better at doing so than medication.

However, a study conducted in Iran found that nettle was most effective when used alongside medication.

Try a nettle tea this spring and discover if it works for you!

Local Honey

You knew this one was coming, right?

While it's the first thing anyone will say to you when they see you struggling with spring allergies, especially hay fever, scientific evidence is mixed. But then, if it works as a placebo and makes you feel better, the local honey has done its job!

Several small studies – and a more prominent, commonly cited 2002 study from the University of Connecticut - have found no clinical link between local honey and an improvement in symptoms. In contrast, Malaysian research did find a link, with the caveats that you'd need to consume a large volume of honey and that it was most effective, like nettle, as a complement to medicinal remedies.

Try a jar of tasty local honey if you can get your hands on it. If nothing else, you'll have something delicious to add to a hot drink or your breakfast!

Natural Relief for Spring Allergies

Natural remedies can offer significant relief from the symptoms of spring allergies. Because most of these remedies involve consuming healthy foods, you'll enjoy a wealth of benefits beyond the easing of your allergy symptoms.

Remember that while these natural remedies may help ease your symptoms, they may not address the underlying causes of your allergies. You should always consult your clinician before significantly changing your diet or taking new supplements or over-the-counter medications.