It’s springtime! Along with the beauty of the blooming plants, the crisp fresh air, the warmth of the sunshine, millions and millions of us have that one little pesky detail: allergies! Having seasonal allergies can be a huge nuisance. Watery eyes, itchy throat, runny nose, headaches, sneezing, etc… the list of symptoms goes on and on. When the weather breaks, all I want to do is spend my time outside. Allergies can make anyone want to hide away from the gorgeous spring weather.

Over the counter medicine can help mask and alleviate the symptoms, but did you know there are plenty of natural remedies to help ease your allergies as well? Yes, over the counter medicines can certainly help, but all too often they can leave you feeling off, weird, groggy… isn’t it time you added some natural healing into your seasonal allergies?

How to Cure Allergies: 7 Natural Allergy Remedies That Work

Local honey

Did you know honey can help alleviate and prevent allergies? No, not the plastic bear-filled honey jar found at any supermarket, but the local, raw, unprocessed kind. By eating local honey, you are actually eating the pollen found in your area (the pollen that’s causing your allergies!). Why would you want to eat the pollen you are allergic to? The idea behind this natural remedy is that over time you will become less sensitive to the pollen by ingesting it often, and as a result you can experience less allergy symptoms.

This remedy has proven true for my family by lessening the effects of season allergies. Check out some of your nearby shops to see if they offer local honey. Don’t wait until the springtime to begin this natural process, consume your local honey all year round for the best benefits. A spoonful a day keeps the allergies away!

Neti pot saline rinse

I’ve heard over the years that a neti pot and saline rinse could drastically help improve allergies. But the idea of rinsing out my nostrils always freaked me out, so I never tried it despite the positive things I heard. However, earlier this year I was directed by my doctor to have septoplasty surgery to cure my deviated septum and chronic sinusitis; rinsing out my nose with a neti pot and saline rinse was necessary for the healing process. Thus, I have gotten over my fears and have continued to use the solution regularly to see if there is an improvement this season. I will keep you posted!

Neti pots relieve allergy symptoms by removing inhaled pollen and alleviating nasal congestion and irritation. Flushing out the pollen will help stop your sneezing, itching, and runny nose from continuing. If you have fears of the neti pot, too – it’s really not as bad as it sounds. It can be an odd feeling at first, but if you are a serious allergy sufferer: just go for it!

Essential oils

I’ve always been a supporter of essential oils, but recently I have become more obsessed since I discovered oil diffusers! I use mine ALL. THE. TIME. I play around with different oils, mixing scents for when I am sick, need motivation, need to decompress, or just want my home smelling wonderful! Essential oils can be great for your body and mind, so it’s really no surprise that diffusing certain oils can really help with allergies.

Essential oils can be used by diffusing them, diluting them with water and applying directly to the skin, spraying them into the air, or adding a few drops into a warm bath. I personally prefer to use a diffuser throughout my home, but using any of these methods can be helpful.

Eucalyptus Oil: praised for its anti-inflammatory benefits, this oil can help detoxify your body of allergens and lessen any sinus and respiratory ailments.

Tea Tree Oil: with its strong antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, this oil can reduce all kinds of allergens (including mold, bacteria and fungi).

Peppermint Oil: inhaling peppermint oil can help reduce inflammation and clear your sinuses.  Relief of a sore throat and cough can also be achieved with use of this oil.

Lavender Oil: popular for its soothing and powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. It can reduce many of the painful symptoms caused by your allergies by strengthening your body against potential allergens.

Lemon Oil: both invigorating and cleansing, this oil has disinfectant benefits to the body. Lemon oil helps purify the body and reduce congestion. Sinuses are cleared by supporting your lymphatic system and immune system.

I purchased this set, which includes all the above essential oils.

Lemon water – vitamin c

Drinking lemon water daily can have so many great benefits to the body. Just one of the many benefits: aiding in allergy relief! Lemon water (Vitamin C!) has the power to nourish the immune system. By improving the functionality of your immune system, your body can maintain a proper balance of pH levels in the body. Drinking lemon water throughout the day is known to detoxify impurities, like allergens. It can also aid in thinning mucus and alleviating your pesky allergy symptoms.

**side note: having seasonal allergies does not mean you have a weak immune system. Vitamin C can help your immune system work properly, thus fight off allergens the right way.

Apple cider vinegar (ACV)

I love apple cider vinegar! ACV has been recognized for its strong curative properties. The list of health benefits from apple cider vinegar goes on and on and on… so it should be no surprise at all that alleviating allergy symptoms is just one of those many great benefits to this amazing vinegar. By drinking ACV on a daily basis, the following allergy symptoms can be alleviated:

• Nasal congestion
• Headache
• Couch
• Sneezing
• Itchy throat

I won’t lie to you, ACV can truly be an acquired taste. I personally like to drink ACV diluted with cold water. After years of doing this, the taste really doesn’t bother me anymore. At first sip, I gaged horribly. If you are just getting started in the AVC craze and are afraid you won’t like the taste (or you already know you do not like the taste) here is a simple recipe to help. And you should notice, the recipe includes other ingredients from this list of allergy destroyers!

Ingredients:

• 1 glass of warm water (12 oz)
• 2 tablespoons of ACV (use the organic, raw, and unfiltered with “the Mother”)
• 2 tablespoons of lemon juice
• 1-2 teaspoon of raw honey

Directions: Warm the water, mix in the ingredients, and enjoy once or twice a day!

READ NEXT : APPLE CIDER VINEGAR HOW TO CURE ACNE

Allergy Proof Your Home

Keep pollen out of house: this is really a no-brainer. By minimizing the exposure to allergens inside the home allergy symptoms can be reduced.

• Clean carpets 1-2 times a week with a HEPA filter vacuum
• Avoid wall-to-wall carpet – try hardwood floors instead
• Clean all air filters – invest in HEPA air filters 
• Keep windows closed
• Remove shoes immediately
• Use non-cloth window blinds (or machine-washable curtains—and wash them regulary!)
• Do not hang-dry clothing outside
• Wash dogs (or any pets that go outside)
• Wash hands as soon as you return home (don’t rub your eyes!)