Ways to relieve your seasonal allergies and hay fever by changing your diet, adding in supplements and adopting new habits.

Are you a seasonal allergy sufferer? Chances are you or someone close to you is. Nearly 60 million people are affected by allergies each year.

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Many look to over-the-counter (OTC) allergy relief products, or medicines that are prescribed by their doctor. Others seek out out more natural ways to find relief, which you will learn more about below. But first, what do we know about allergies?

What is the Cause?

Seasonal allergies are often referred to as hay fever. They result from airborne substances that appear only during certain times of the year, generally early spring through early fall.

Causes include:

• pollen
• fresh cut grass
• budding trees
• blooming flowers

Why do some suffer and others do not? Allergies develop when your immune system mistakenly identifies an allergen (pollen, mold, animal dander or food, etc.) as harmful. These allergens trigger the production of antibodies, which travel to cells that release chemicals that cause symptoms in the nose, lungs, sinuses, ears, skin and stomach.

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

• itchy eyes
• runny nose
• congestion
• sneezing
• hives
• asthma
• eczema
• ear infections

Symptoms for seasonal allergies will last as long as pollen is in the air. 

Lack of sleep and un-managed stress contribute greatly to allergy causing symptoms because they lower your immune system.

There is plenty you can do to help alleviate symptoms on your own, without the use of medications. Making a change to your diet can bring about a lot of relief, as will adding in certain supplements. You can also include changing certain habits, to bring about a noticeable respite.

Foods to Avoid:

• Caffeine

• Alcohol

• Dairy 

• Sugar

• Processed foods

• Wheat

• Soy

• Shellfish

Foods to Choose:

• Local raw honey

• Apple cider vinegar

• Bone broth

• Fresh vegetables

• Spicy foods

Find where to purchase local raw honey in your area with the local raw honey locator.

Did you know?

Local raw honey relieves symptoms by containing the same local pollen that is causing your symptoms.

Helpful Tip:

Swallowing a few tablespoons of local raw honey each day helps to relieve itchy, watery eyes and congestion.

Here’s a simple recipe you can make at home. It will break up mucus and relieve the post-nasal drip. 

Drink 3 Times Per Day:

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tablespoon local raw honey

In addition to your diet, there are many supplements available to help alleviate seasonal allergy symptoms.

• Spirulina – can relieve nasal inflammation and reduce histamine in the body
• Butterbur – known to suppress allergic reactions without making you drowzy
• Probiotics – can alter the natural course of an allergy
• Quercetin – stabilizes the specialized immune cells that cause an allergic reaction
• Zinc – helps relieve asthma, hay fever and sinus congestion

Reduce Exposure to Allergens:

• Stay inside on windy days
• Avoid lawn cutting, weeding and gardening
• Wipe down pets that may bring in pollen
• Shower before bed to remove pollen from body
• Wash bedding regularly
• Don’t hang laundry outside
• Keep windows/doors closed on high pollen days

A few simple changes to your routine, additional supplements and watching what’s in your diet can have a big impact this hay fever allergy season. 

Resources for this article from healthline.com