*Aaaaaaaa-choooooo!* Excuse me, it's allergy season and I thought it would be a good idea to talk about sinus health in this Healthy Steps. To start off, here are some ideas for prevention and/or fixer uppers.
Chamomile Tea is considered as a natural anti-histamine. This is very popular drink throughout the world. Having one or two cups, sweetened with your local honey, in the day gives you immunity towards the allergens. Keep in mind that you should not consume it if allergic to ragweed.
Fresh garlic is one of the best immunity builders against any type of the allergens. Garlic has proven its efficacy as decongestant and hence also used in many different types of coughs and colds. Try to have fresh garlic rather than going for powdered or dried or readymade paste. *Remember that garlic may worsen the case if you have severe acid-reflux. You need to keep the original raw garlic juice intact. It is a natural anti-biotic.
Simple and plain local honey will work. This gives fight towards the allergens and also helps you become resistant to certain pollens. Keep in mind that all the beneficial properties are lost once the honey is cooked.You can most likely find local honey at a Farmer's Market near you.
Peppermint tea is used to help relieve congestion from the nose and the respiratory tract. On the other hand, in summer, it is refreshing when icy and helps in preventing coughs and sinus problems related to the allergy.
Ginger is sufficient enough to cover up all the causative factors to allergies. This not only builds immunity but also reduces the over secretion of histamine from the body which is most uncomfortable factor during allergy attacks.
Green tea or the common table tea has natural capacity to block the over secretion of histamine. You can have one to two cups a day with honey. Instead of the green tea, you can replace that by having black tea. It is not reported as effective as green tea, but sometimes this can be used as substitute.(Side note: drinking green tea may also help you lose weight
;)
Thyme is wonderful for congestion. This tea is also used for cough, stuffy nose and sinus problems. You can prepare the tea using one teaspoon of the dried herb for each cup of water. The precaution includes the dosage should not exceed more than one cup a day.
Dilute vinegar by adding a little water and apply it with a cotton ball on the bug-bites. This prevents the allergic reaction towards the toxins secreted in a bite. You can also put some vinegar in your bath-tub.
Some have taken a dose of 400 mg of Vitamin E regularly at least for 3-4 weeks. This is known to possesses anti-allergic property.
Go for half cup of the vegetable or fruit juice or take simple plain water and add about 5 drops of castor oil. This drink should be taken on empty stomach in the morning.
Limejuice is most popular remedy for allergies. Lukewarm water is mixed with one teaspoon of honey and ½ tsp of limejuice is taken on regular basis early in the morning. This should be continued for couple of months. Taking this builds immunity towards the allergic conditions. Be careful if you are one of those people who are allergic to citrus fruits.
Oatmeal: If your allergies give you hives, oatmeal can be really useful. Pour one cup of boiling water over one tablespoon oatmeal. Let it steep for thirty minutes. Strain it, and then apply the liquid on your hives with a cotton ball. This also works to relive bug bites. Refrigerate the solution and use it in a few days. You can also make this in larger amounts and put it in your bathwater (about four cups of water and four tablespoons of oatmeal).Apple cider vinegar: Many grandmothers used to put apple cider vinegar on any bug bites or hives to cut down on the itching. Just dilute the vinegar down with a little water and apply it with a cotton ball.
Another good idea is Jamba Juice. If you like it, order your drink then make sure that you get a free immunity boost!
Lady Jess is a teen lady who is homeschooled along with her siblings. She assists her mother in teaching her younger siblings, is an interpreter in her church's deaf ministry, sings in two local choirs, and is in training to be a homeschooling parent herself one day.
