Best Natural Remedies To Help Allergy Symptoms Holistically

When allergy season hits, you want reliable, natural relief from your symptoms. But what’s most effective at bringing long-lasting allergy relief?

When you suffer from allergies, your symptoms can range from mild to severe. You may have puffy, watery eyes or a runny nose with congestion. Sometimes your allergies may be slightly irritating, while other times they can feel life stopping.

What’s worse, many of the over-the-counter allergy medications cause unwanted side effects and do little more than mask your allergy symptoms. Yet there are other ways to find allergy relief, including natural remedies and at-home treatments.

Understanding Allergies

More than 50 million Americans struggle with allergies. Allergies are one of the top ten chronic diseases in the US and cost the healthcare industry an estimated $18 billion a year. But what are allergies? And where do they come from?

What Are Allergies?

An allergy occurs when your body overreacts to a harmless foreign substance, such as pollen, dust, or pet dander. When your immune system mistakes these allergens as a threat, it triggers an immune response in your body.

This immune response is your body’s attempt to rid itself of the allergen and results in a range of allergy symptoms like watery eyes, runny nose, and itchy, red skin.

Oftentimes, these symptoms are referred to as allergic rhinitis, which is the medical term for allergy symptoms that affect your nasal passages. The most common symptoms include runny nose, congestion, and inflamed sinuses.

What Causes Allergies?

When your body ignites its immune response, it releases histamine. Histamine is a natural chemical produced by your immune system to rid your body of harmful particles. Histamine’s role is to get the substance out of your body, and it can cause you to sneeze, cough, or itch in its attempt.

What’s more, histamines increase blood flow, which results in inflammation. While inflammation serves a vital purpose if hurt or injured, when you’re suffering from allergies, inflammation results in unnecessary swelling and pain. Discover your allergy profile now with Wyndly’s at-home allergy test to see what is causing your allergies!

What Are Common Allergy Symptoms?

While allergies manifest differently in everybody, there are common symptoms, including:

• Watery eyes
• Red, itchy eyes
• Stuffy or congested nose
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Wheezing
• Red, itchy skin
• Hives or rashes
• Swelling

Although rare, there are more severe allergy symptoms, such as stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, or anaphylaxis. If you think you are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical attention.

What Are Traditional Allergy Treatments?

Traditional allergy treatments include over-the-counter medications like antihistamines and nasal sprays. These medications do not improve your allergies but, instead, treat your symptoms.

For more long-lasting allergy relief, there is immunotherapy. Through immunotherapy, your body is slowly introduced to small amounts of an allergen. This process allows the immune system to build a tolerance to the allergen and, eventually, stop reacting to it.

At Wyndly, we offer personalized treatment plans to help you get lifelong allergy relief. Our allergy doctors will work with you to understand your allergy profile and allergy history to determine what will help you to start living allergy-free. Schedule a consult to get a personalized treatment plan today!

Natural Allergy Treatment Options

When it comes to allergy treatment, the internet is filled with natural cures and home remedies. While it can be empowering to find a natural solution to your ailment, you must proceed with caution.

Of the natural allergy remedies discussed, allergy drops, like the ones available through Wyndly, are the only clinically-proven treatment for allergies.

Most natural remedies are not FDA-regulated and personal accounts of effectiveness do not equate to being clinically proven. Be aware the information below includes anecdotal evidence and current research.

Avoidance

The first step in any allergy treatment plan is to avoid allergy triggers when you can. For instance, keep track of daily pollen counts. When numbers are high, stay indoors and keep your windows and doors shut.

If your cat allergy goes crazy every time you’re at a friend’s, ask that their pet be put away before you visit or, better yet, sit on the outside patio.

When you can’t avoid an allergy trigger, take precautions like wearing a mask outdoors, changing your clothes when you come inside, and showering as soon as possible.

Air Purifiers and HEPA Filters

When it comes to allergies, the more impurities you can remove from the air, the fewer symptoms you may suffer. Air purifiers clean the air you breathe and remove irritants from indoor environments.

Portable air cleaners with HEPA filters are the gold standard for room filtration. In smaller spaces, such as bedrooms, these purifiers can effectively remove allergens from the air.

If your home uses a forced-air HVAC system, be sure to keep the filter clean. Use a high-efficiency, disposable filter and replace it frequently.

Nasal Washes and Neti Pots

A nasal wash is a safe, effective option for short-term relief of allergy symptoms. Composed of water and salt, it washes away allergens and excess mucus from your nose, sinuses, and nasal passages.

A neti pot is a tool designed to conduct a nasal wash. Fill the neti pot with saline solution and tip your head to one side. Pour the salt water into one nostril. It travels through your nasal cavity and flows out your other nostril, flushing your sinuses.

Butterbur Root Extract

Butterbur is a shrub native to Asia, Europe, and North America and was used for centuries to treat common ailments. Today, people use it for headaches, upset stomachs, and allergies that produce nasal symptoms.

National Library of Medicine research shows that butterbur root extract can effectively relieve occasional allergic rhinitis without the drowsiness commonly found in over-the-counter allergy medications.

Butterbur contains chemicals that reduce spasms and inflammation and can be found in extracts, capsules, powders, gels, or tinctures. As with any natural remedy, be sure to speak to your doctor about medications or supplements before you start taking them.

Bromelain

Bromelain is a chemical found in pineapples and papayas. It’s thought to provide various health benefits, especially for conditions associated with chronic inflammation. Because it may reduce inflammation in the sinuses, it’s often considered a natural allergy remedy.

While it has its benefits, this natural supplement does come with downsides, including a range of side effects like:

• Increased heart rate
• Heavy menstruation
• Nausea and vomiting
• Allergic reactions and asthma symptoms

Bromelain can put certain people at risk, including those with ulcers, bleeding disorders, or certain allergies.

Quercetin

Quercetin is a plant-based antioxidant found in onions, apples, green tea, and other foods. It’s known for its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to aid with conditions like arthritis, diabetes, cancer, and heart disease.

When it comes to allergies, quercetin is believed to prevent the release of histamines from certain immune cells. Since histamines are inflammatory and provoke symptoms like sneezing and itchy eyes, quercetin may reduce these allergy symptoms.

Possible side effects include headaches, numbness, and tingling. Be sure to speak to your doctor before taking any natural supplement.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is naturally found in strawberries, oranges, tomatoes, and other fruits and vegetables. This vitamin is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but many people don’t realize it can play a role in allergy treatment.

It’s believed that vitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine. Rather than block histamine receptors like antihistamine medication, vitamin C seems to reduce the amount of histamine produced by your body.

While vitamin C does have benefits, too much can result in stomach upset, diarrhea, and nausea.

Stinging Nettle Tea

Stinging nettle is a perennial, flowering plant found in the United States, Canada, and Europe. Although it’s currently considered an invasive weed by many, it was used medicinally as a tea for thousands of years.

While the plant’s leaves create a stinging sensation when touched, after they are soaked in water, they no longer do so. Instead, they are said to become therapeutic. One therapeutic quality includes reducing histamine production and, therefore, allergy response.

Stinging nettle does have contradictions with some medications, including blood thinners. Be sure to talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

Honey

Honey isn’t just something to sweeten your drink. Some believe it may also reduce your allergy symptoms. In theory, when you eat local honey, you’re exposed to local pollen from which the honey is made.

Over time, you may develop a resistance to that pollen, the same way patients are exposed to traces of allergens through allergy drops. However, the amount of pollen you consume through honey is not controlled. And it’s not guaranteed to contain the allergen your body reacts to.

While some people do seem to find allergy relief from honey, the current medical research isn’t clear. Some studies find it does have a benefit, while others found none.

Sublingual Immunotherapy Allergy Drops

Allergy drops are a form of immunotherapy that trains your body to ignore allergic triggers. By exposing your immune system to small, controlled amounts of naturally occurring allergens such as pollen, ragweed, pet dander, or dust, your immune system gradually learns to accept them without launching an allergic reaction. Allergy drops are composed of small traces of exactly what you’re allergic to.

Allergy drops are so safe, you can take them at home. Simply spray the drops under your tongue once a day. Over time, your body builds a tolerance to your triggers, and you may no longer need any allergy treatment. Get a personalized treatment plan from one of our allergy doctors to start living allergy-free!

Natural Allergy Remedies FAQ

Are Allergy Drops Effective?

Yes, allergy drops are effective. They are the only clinically-proven natural allergy treatment available today. While results vary, many patients see a reduction in their allergy symptoms as soon as six weeks.

Science supports these findings, too. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, sublingual immunotherapy is an effective treatment for millions suffering from environmental allergies, and it can offer you long-term relief, too!

How Do I Get Started With Allergy Drops?

To get started with allergy drops, simply order Wyndly’s at-home allergy test. When it arrives, follow the instructions. If you have any trouble, call, text, or email us for help. Our allergy specialists are available 24/7 and ready to assist you in finding real allergy relief.

Once you complete the test, mail it back in the provided envelope. As soon as we get the results, we review them with you. We also provide a personalized allergy profile and treatment plan.

If allergy drops are right for you, they can be delivered to your mailbox each month with our convenient subscription service. No more waiting at doctor offices or pharmacies!

Why Do People Want Natural Allergy Treatments?

People turn to natural allergy remedies when they want relief from their symptoms but don’t want pharmaceutical medications. Maybe they’ve tried traditional medicines with no relief or experienced too many side effects.

Manufactured drugs can be unappealing for many reasons, including:

• They may make you feel off, drowsy, or sick.
• They are ineffective for your allergies.
• You don’t use synthetic products or medications.
• You don’t want to develop long-term side effects.
• You want a solution that offers long-term relief.

As a result of these concerns, many people turn toward natural allergy treatments.

When Should I See a Doctor About My Allergies?

Always consult with a doctor or healthcare provider before starting a natural allergy treatment. Be sure to remain under their supervision while using the remedy.

If you’re not finding allergy relief with natural remedies or over-the-counter medications, you should also consult an allergy doctor. At Wyndly, scheduling an appointment with an allergy specialist is easy and can be done from the comfort of your home! Talk to our doctors now to get a personalized treatment plan to help you beat your allergies.

Traditional Medications for Allergies

While natural remedies may offer some allergy relief, there are medical alternatives, including over-the-counter and prescription options. Unlike immunotherapy, though, these medications only treat the symptoms of your allergies and only provide short-term relief.

Antihistamines

When your body has an allergic response, it releases histamines, chemicals that target the perceived threat and produce a range of allergy symptoms. Antihistamines combat the effects of histamine by blocking receptors, therefore providing short-term relief of allergy symptoms.

While antihistamines don’t prevent allergy symptoms completely, they do numb or dull the body’s response to allergens. But this benefit does come at a cost. Many antihistamines cause unwanted side effects like:

• Impaired motor functions
• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Low blood pressure
• Liver damage

If over-the-counter antihistamines aren’t enough to reduce your allergies, talk to your doctor. There are prescription options available.

Decongestants

Decongestants are over-the-counter medications that provide short-term relief from a stuffy nose or sinus pressure. Nasal congestion can be caused by illness, infection, or allergies.

Decongestants work by narrowing blood vessels in your nose and reducing the swelling of sinus tissue. This, in turn, reduces the feeling of nasal congestion.

The relief offered by decongestants is temporary and can come with a long list of potential side effects, including:

• Dizziness
• Anxiety
• Irregular heartbeat
• Dependency
• Nose bleeds 
• Throat irritation
• Dependence

Decongestants have increased risk for people with certain conditions, including diabetes, thyroid disorder, or an enlarged prostate. Speak to your doctor before using.

Get Long-Term Relief With Wyndly

If you’re ready for a holistic and clinically-proven allergy treatment that offers long-term relief, it’s time to schedule with Wyndly! Our allergy specialists are available through phone, text, email, or video to help you find a real solution to your allergies.

Book your consultation today and get ready for a life free from allergies!