Want a natural remedy for your stuffy, runny, itchy nose? Natural treatments can't replace your allergy medications, but they can work alongside them. From acupuncture to supplements, here are some simple things that might help you breathe easier.
Acupuncture
In this ancient Chinese therapy, an expert sticks tiny needles gently -- and, many people say, painlessly -- into your skin at specific points. Studies of acupuncture for the treatment of allergies have shown mixed results, with the most rigorous studies showing very modest clinical benefit. Acupuncture may be a reasonable option for interested patients with relatively mild disease who wish to minimize medication use and find the cost of therapy acceptable.
Allergy-proofing your home
You can't stop pollen from blowing outside. But you do have some control over what happens inside your home. Keep your windows shut when pollen is in the air. Run the air conditioning instead. If you can, change your clothes before coming inside (or as soon as you get in), remove your shoes, and shower.
Helpful foods
Eating something spicy can thin mucus and clear congestion. A teaspoon of honey can soothe your throat if it gets irritated from coughing all day. Children under a year old should never be given honey.
HEPA filters
Studies are mixed about whether air filters help with allergy symptoms. That’s because far more allergens rest on surfaces like rugs, furniture, and countertops than simply hang in the air. So cleaning is an important step in controlling your allergy and asthma triggers. If you buy an air filter, make sure it's a HEPA filter. These capture fine, pollen-sized particles. It's a good idea to get a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter, too. Regular vacuums can blow allergens back into the air.
Nasal washes
You could use a saline solution (saltwater) in a neti pot or a squeeze bottle to rinse out your sinuses. Use distilled or sterile water. If you use tap water, you must boil it and let it cool off first, or filter it with a filter that says “NSF 53” or “NSF 58” or says “absolute pore size” of 1 micron or smaller. Clean the bottle or neti pot after every use, also using distilled, sterile, boiled, or filtered water.
Protection
If it's allergy season, keep your triggers at bay. Don't do outdoor activities when pollen counts are high. Most pollen peaks between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m. each day, and can also be high around midday when it’s warm and windy. And anytime you garden or clean the garage, wear a dust mask and sunglasses to keep allergens out of your nose, mouth, and eyes.
Saline sprays
These over-the-counter saltwater sprays can flush out your nasal passages. They help clear out pollen and other irritants.
Supplements
There's evidence that some supplements help nasal allergies. Butterbur is one of the most promising and well-researched. Studies show that butterbur -- specifically a butterbur extract called Ze 339 -- works as well as some allergy drugs. Still, butterbur has been linked to liver damage.
Those interested in using it should also be aware of this potential hazard and be advised about early symptoms. In some studies, fermented red ginseng resulted in significant improvement in nasal congestion and rhinitis quality of life.
An Indian herbal product containing extract from the stem of Tinospora cordifolia has been shown in studies to give significant improvement in sneezing, nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, and itchy nose, but it can raise your white blood cell count. There's some evidence that other supplements, such as quercetin and bromelain, may help, too.
Check with your doctor before you start using any supplements regularly, especially if you take daily medication or have any health conditions.
Keep in mind
Natural allergy remedies can make a difference. Just remember that they shouldn't replace medications and other treatments.
If your symptoms aren't improving and they’re affecting your life, see a doctor. An allergist and immunologist is a doctor who specializes in treating allergies and your immune system. They can offer medications and immunotherapy that can make things better.
Immunotherapy is a long-term treatment that gradually makes you less sensitive to your allergens. You can get it two ways, as an allergy shot or sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). SLIT is a medicine that dissolves under your tongue. Both SLIT and the shot can also last many years after you've completed the 3 to 5 year treatment.
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