Alexis Unlimited

It’s fall , leaves falling, grass started to turn a brownish color and some allergies arrive in all their glory, but they are worse this year since our visit from Harvey, but there are things we can do to alleviate the symptoms and they are all natural.

Before you pop those pills, spray your nose, or get that injection, you might want to consider some of the natural options that help with allergies. Here are some of my preferred foods & remedies:

Papaya Enzymes

papaya contains a natural enzyme known as papain that has natural anti-

inflammatory properties. It helps you alleviate inflammation linked to sinus & nasal swelling, as well as addressing many of the symptoms of your allergies, excessive catarrh buildup. It works on the root causes of your allergies, so you need to be patient: it may take some time with papain for you to see the results.

While the fruit is helpful,

for best results you can supplement with papain enzymes that you take on an empty stomach. When there is no food for the enzyme to break down it goes to work to reduce your inflammation. Choose a product that contains 250mg of papain. Take 2 capsules 3 times daily for a month prior to and during allergy season.

Quercetin

A natural antioxidant found in foods like apples, berries, cabbage,

cauliflower, nuts, onions & tea; this nutrient has been found to have potent anti-inflammatory & antihistamine properties, making it a great choice for you to reduce the effects of pollen & other allergens. In a study published in the medical journal In Vivo, researchers explored the mechanism by which quercetin supplements worked on people suffering from allergy-related nasal congestion. They found that the nutrient reduced your body’s production of a protein linked to airway inflammation. Take 400mg of quercetin twice daily. (I take quercetin daily and have for a long time now.)

Green Tea

is known as one of the best superfoods for many conditions & is also

beneficial for your allergies. That’s because it contains a potent antioxidant known as epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) that can impact your allergies on a cellular level by reducing your inflammation. You don’t have to remember EGCG to benefit however; simply drink more green tea.

Even if you’re not a huge fan, you should try drinking it iced with a little stevia to sweeten & a squeeze of lemon for a delicious & refreshing iced green tea.

Perilla Frutescens

This little-known herb is part of the mint family & has been

explored as an all-natural, herbal remedy for your allergies. In a study in Experimental Biology & Medicine, researchers found that perilla & one of its active ingredients known as rosmarinic acid, and it significantly reduces your inflammatory reactions such as nasal & sinus congestion, and eye irritation. Other research in the International Journal of Molecular Medicine found that the herb was also effective at alleviating your allergy-related skin conditions.

The effective dose of perilla differs from product to product & depends on whether the seeds or leaves are used, or whether the remedy is an extract of a specific compound or crushed, dried leaves. You need to follow package directions since the products can have a wide range of potency. A typical tincture (alcohol extract) dose is 30 drops 3 times daily. Ideally, you should start a month prior to your primary allergy season & continue throughout the season.

Butterbur

Known as Petasites hybridus; this shrub grows in wet, marshy parts of

North America, Asia & Europe. Multiple studies show its effective in the treatment of your allergies. *Because the raw plant contains chemicals known as pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) that can be harmful, you need to be sure to choose a product that is PA-free*. It should indicate this status on the label. You should follow package instructions for dose.

Of course, if you have life-threatening allergies, you should seek emergency medical help. And, don’t discontinue any prescription drugs without first consulting your physician.

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This is good information for those of us who have any kind of allergies.  I use quercetin daily so I know it works;  I haven’t tried the others, but I don’t have bad allergies: just the runny and stuffy nose and occasional sneezing. Since Harvey paid us an unwelcome visit, allergies are worse in southeast Texas as their are more mold spores in the air and there also seems to be pollen…

I used to grow mint because I like the smell when I rub the leaves between my fingers, but I never used the plant for anything else. Actually, I have no idea what happened to them as I’ve not thought about them for a long time.

Have a great healthy day!