4 Organic and Natural Ways to Ease Your Seasonal Allergies
Spring is not just fresh blooms and longer days of sunshine; if you’re an allergy sufferer, it can also mean a congested throat, nose and sneezing for days on end.
These are just some of the more common symptoms of rhinitis and hay fever — seasonal allergies that affect more than 25 million American adults and children (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2017).
However, don’t let such pesky symptoms get in your way of enjoying some lovely time outside in the warm spring sun. Read on and try these 4 organic and natural ways to ease your seasonal allergies instead!
1. Invest in an air diffuser!
You may consider your home a safe haven from exposure to potential allergens.
However, allergens are not visible to the naked eye; indoor air can be twice as polluted with dust, mold and other harmful chemicals that accumulate in the enclosed space over time.
A diffuser is an inexpensive organic and natural way to combat this! With just water and a few drops of an organic and natural essential oil, it can diffuse moisture into the air to help soothe the inflamed linings of your throat, nose and even on the surface of your skin. Some exceptional organic and natural essential oils even work hard to relieve respiratory conditions and eliminate harmful chemicals and toxins!
2. Increase your dietary intake of omega-3s!
And by that, we mean omega-3 fatty acids — a potent fighter that defends and strengthens your immune system against any nasty flare-ups. It achieves this by inhibiting prostaglandin, a fat that produces histamine. Reduced levels of histamine minimize mucous, swelling and leaky blood vessels that directly cause the congestion you experience with seasonal allergies.
However, while plain, unprocessed nuts (e.g. walnuts, almonds) are amazing gluten free sources of omega-3 fatty acids, they are often not safe due to being processed and packaged on lines shared with food products containing even trace amounts of gluten. You can opt for safer gluten-free sources that are still rich in omega-3 fatty acids such as cold water fish (e.g. salmon), as well as flax seeds and chia seeds!
3. Skip the dairy aisle!
Dairy is a somewhat complex category — there are many firm believers in its importance of providing crucial organic and natural minerals like calcium in one’s diet. However, commercial dairy products and its derivatives have been proven to exacerbate allergies due to its primary protein, beta-casein. Beta-casein is produced during the pasteurization process and can be a potential allergen that your immune system tries to “fight”.
Can calcium be found in only milk and cheese? There are non-dairy organic and natural foods that are equally rich sources of calcium. Some yummy examples include dark and leafy greens (e.g. kale), legumes, as well as sardines and canned salmon. Keep an eye out for non-dairy organic and natural foods that are labelled as being fortified with calcium, too!
4. Switch to gluten free makeup products!
Gluten free makeup is not just a passing fad—the allergic reactions that can occur with the oral consumption of gluten is also applicable to its external application on our skin, the largest organ of our bodies. For example, the non-gluten free lip makeup products that you swipe on can be accidentally ingested. This is especially worrisome when the average woman reportedly applies up to 9 pounds of lipstick in her lifetime and swallows 30 percent of it and more! If your body is constantly inflamed and trying to fight off these hidden sources of gluten, exposure to seasonal allergens will cause an even bigger reaction.
If you deal with seasonal allergies, try switching to gluten free makeup products. If your symptoms go away, there’s a chance you have a heightened sensitivity to gluten, which means it is best to stick with gluten free makeup products!
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