Spring is absolutely stunning with everything in bloom. Here in the desert, the cacti bloom if you can believe that. They’re beautiful! We also have non-native trees and flowers blooming. Phoenix doesn’t get a winter per se, but we do get a fall!
My son has had horrible allergies all of his life. To give him relief we do a combination of pharmaceutical medication and holistic remedies. Pharmaceuticals alone only took the edge off for him and we only like to use them when his allergies are really bothering him. On really bad days my eyes will be itchy and I might get stuffed up. With Chronic Illness, the last thing you want to do is take more pills with more side effects. No matter where you are on the spectrum, an integrative approach can help!
#1 NETI POT RINSES
I am a huge fan of neti pot rinses. They are basically a saline rinse of all your sinus cavities with warm saltwater. It won’t alleviate symptoms you’re already experiencing, however, it removes pollen and dust trapped in your mucus so that it won’t continue to bother you in the long term. It works within a few days at alleviating symptoms.
Some people suggest showering before bed to remove pollen and dust from your hair and body so it doesn’t attach to your pillows and you continue breathing it in and getting it rubbed on your eyelids. It can definitely help.
#2 LOCAL BEE POLLEN AND HONEY
By enjoying a tablespoon of local honey and/or bee pollen, you’re basically microdosing pollen that will be/is in the air. This allows your body time to recognize that it isn’t a deadly invader and won’t overreact when it enters your open cavities. It takes about 3 months for this method to reduce symptoms. It probably won’t work this season but start now and it’ll make the next allergy season so much easier.
#3 BUTTERBUR
Butterbur is more widely known for helping to prevent migraines, however, it also good at lowering histamine after being exposed to allergens.
#4 VACUUM AND DUST REGULARLY
Dust and pollen will be floating in on shoes, your clothes, and through doors and windows. It’s essential you stay on top of keeping your home dust-free to help alleviate your allergy symptoms.
#5 TAKE YOUR SHOES OFF AT THE DOOR
Don’t walk around your home with your shoes on. All kinds of nasty things attach to your shoes, the last thing you want to do is trek it all over your home. This is a huge rule in my home. All shoes stay at the front door. If you don’t like walking around barefoot or in socks, get house slippers. Slip off the outside shoes and slip on the inside shoes.
Keep in mind holistic remedies are typically not as immediate as pharmaceutical remedies are but do work longer-term without negative side effects which is a plus when you have Chronic Illness.
