Natural Allergy Relief: Top 13 Home Remedies

Eliminate Dairy

Posted by Kennywally (Midwest) on 05/01/2016 46 posts
★★★★★

I'm kinda surprised not to see any comments about cutting dairy for allergies. I was allergy free most of my life, til one day at about 33, I got hit with all of them at the same time...oh my God, I was in misery, itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, stuffy nose...it took me many many years to even consider it was dairy. So I decided to try an experiment and quit all dairy, no milk, no ice cream, etc, I was done for now. Within a few months, I noticed my allergies subsiding. I had been a dairy junkie, more cheeses than anything, bacon egg cheese bicuits for breakfask, cheeseburger or cheese pizza for lunch, string cheese for snacks etc. So I no longer need over the counter meds to deal with all the stupid allergy stuff save, eye drops ONLY for the springtime...but for nothing else. I probably had no dairy for almost 2yrs. I think my body was over saturated with something from the cheese itself...don't know what, but that's my theory, since I was allergy free for so long, them BAM, my body revolted and had a fit!

So, try it, give up all dairy for a while and see if that helps the symptoms, you'll at least see a decrease in mucus if nothing else. But I hope for overall better results than that.

Address Dehydration

Posted by Diggitty (Phoenix, Az) on 03/18/2016
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

Suffered allergies for two weeks; itchy watery eyes, runny nose, dry skin. Increased water to half my body weight in ounces and adding 1/8 tsp of sea salt per 24 oz of water. ACV didn't work for me, neither did just increasing water. However adding the salt to the water did the trick. Dehydration causes histamines to be released. Salt helps water get into cells and hydrate the body. Otherwise the water ends up in the toilet. Your electrolytes may be out of balance which can activate histamines. ACV didn't work for me because I believe I didn't need those minerals, I needed salt. In a half day, I felt 100% better. God IS that awesome!

Vaseline Coated Inside the Nose

Posted by Kellyd (Seattle, Wa) on 11/17/2015

With all due respect, putting petroleum jelly inside one's nose, let alone anywhere on the body, for allergies has got to be the worst advice I've read in a long time.

Petroleum jelly is made from petroleum products -- chemical compounds that were never meant for human consumption or application, and in fact are responsible for not only certain types of "allergies", but also serious problems like immune suppression, liver function problems, kidney problems, etc.

Baking Soda

Posted by Eva (Sweden) on 08/05/2015

Hi! How do you use the baking soda for your sinuses?

All the best,

Eva

EC: Neti Pot recipe:

1/4 teaspoon of baking soda (to buffer the solution and make it gentle on the nasal passages)
1 cup of lukewarm distilled water (or previously boiled water that has cooled to a lukewarm temperature)

Butterbur

Posted by Bonbon (Pierson, Florida) on 07/22/2015 30 posts

Thanks for your reply. I just saw it. I came on today looking for info about coconut allergies. I have been drinking raw coconut water for some time now fairly regularly. I did not drink it for a couple of days and late Sunday I had a glass. Within minutes my eyes were itching. I also have been using almond milk in my smoothies for breakfast just about since all this started so I'm wondering if there might be something to that as well.

I have gone off both the coconut and the almond milk to see how things go without them. So far it seems better however I have not backed off the herbs yet. I have been taking quercetin in addition to the butterbur and it seems to help a lot.

Butterbur

Posted by Mama To Many (Tennessee) on 07/10/2015

Dear Bonbon,

I have not used Butterbur before. I do see in the literature that it is not recommended for long time use, though.

There are other herbs that work very well for allergies. Nettle Leaf has helped a couple of my children with allergies very much! My son would take 4 capsules twice a day. If he had symptoms mid-day he would take another dose. He also took a capsule of Quercetin morning and evening. After taking this consistently for a year or 18 months, he no longer had allergy problems. Nettle is considered very safe and nutritious.

~Mama to Many~

Butterbur

Posted by Bonbon (Pierson, Florida) on 07/09/2015 30 posts
★★★☆☆

WORKED TEMPORARILY

I have been taking the herb Butterbur for several weeks now for my itchy eyes and throat. I have been trying to figure what is causing the allergy so I can try and get to the root of the problem but haven't as of yet. The Butterbur works great as long as I'm consistent. But when I back off the itching comes back with a vengeance. The thing I've read about Butterbur is it can cause liver problems if taken longer than 12 weeks. This concerns me because I'm closing in on about 8 weeks and am no closer to finding a cure. Just the Butterbur bandaid. Does anyone know anything about this herb and possibly give me any advise concerning the long term side effects about it? It's the only thing that's helping me and the thought of having to stop taking it is putting me in panic mode.

Avoid Anticholinergic Medications

Posted by Myway (Delaware, Usa) on 03/24/2015
★★★★★

For the earth clinic families who work hard to find natural ways of dealing with allergies, asthma and related inflammation...hats off. The long term use of anticholinergic drugs (like Benadryl) can have devastating long term brain health effects "down the road" for our population. Dementia and alzheimers are devastating our families.

If you know someone who takes anticholinergic drugs daily, please pass on the following sites. You could be helping someone's future tremendously.

http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/common-anticholinergic-drugs-like-benadryl-linked-increased-dementia-risk-201501287667

http://www.peoplespharmacy.com/2015/02/01/where-can-i-find-a-list-of-anticholinergic-drugs/

MyWay :D

Honey

Posted by Busy Bee (United States) on 02/15/2015
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I had asthma and allergies all my life. We would buy tissues by the case. I sneezed all day long and had to have a box of tissue in every room. The allergies would trigger the asthma and most of the time I had to sleep in a recliner. I wasn't "growing out" of this.

I read an article how a local lady was healed by eating a teaspoon of honey daily from a local beekeeper (within 3 miles is best). She made sure that it had not been heated. Two years later after eating a teaspoon daily, I was totally healed. I don't even buy tissues anymore.

The beekeeper we found didn't heat or filter his honey so there was a little pollen. Some beekeepers heat the honey to make it flow easier. Interesting fact, about a year into this journey the local beekeeper moved away and we couldn't find another one. I was improving, but wasn't totally healed. My sweet hubby drove across town and took beekeeping classes and became a beekeeper for a few years just so I could have local honey. That is LOVE.

I have been healed for 18 years and I no longer wheeze or sneeze. The key for me was LOCAL, non-heated honey and taking a teaspoon full each and every day. Busy Bee

Apple Cider Vinegar, Honey

Posted by Lynne (Texas, US) on 12/29/2014
★★★★★

For several years now, I've woken up with severe allergy symptoms in the morning which generally take an hour or two to clear up. About 3 days ago, I noticed that when I drank some ACV and honey in water, my symptoms cleared almost immediately! So I've been doing it every day since with the same results! I'm completely amazed!

Honey

Posted by Queen Victoria (Colorado Springs, CO) on 11/07/2014
★★★★★

My Husband has had horrible allergies all of his life. About 5 yrs. ago in his mid 30's someone told him about local honey. It worked. I just wanted to let everyone know, that for him it wasn't an overnight thing. He puts about 1 tsp in his coffee every morning. (hot temp did not seem to ruin the honey's effect) It took a few months before he saw any relief. It almost snuck up on him. So, stick with it! It takes a little while for it build up in your system. He recommended this to a friend of his, after only two weeks he gave up and said it didn't help. Don't give up! It will!

Address Dehydration

Posted by Me (New Jersey) on 09/30/2014
★★★★★

Editor's Choice

My boyfriend, age 47, had horrible allergies for 15 years, and headaches since childhood. Sinusitis, too. Pills, nasal sprays, antibiotics, you name it, he tried it. He had headaches almost every day and ate excedrin migraine tablets like they were going out of style. He regularly went to a specialist for his sinus problems. Nothing helped, and the last bout of antibiotics made him feel horrible. I heard about doing a water cure, which is basically drinking half your body weight in water daily and taking a few pinches of unprocessed sea salt daily. We started the salt and water protocol, and never looked back, no headaches, no sinus problems, no allergies. We rode 800 miles on his motorcycle over Memorial day 3 day weekend, in late May and there was pollen gallore, NOTHING. NO allergies. He can breathe! He smells the air, and he sleeps at night with a clear nose, and NO MORE SNORING.

We've been doing this for 5 months, just a few pinches of sea salt each day and drinking half our body weight in ounces of water every day: neither of us had even a smidgen of allergies ALL the past 5 months since we started the water cure. NO allergies. All through Spring, Summer, and now early Fall. We've been outdoors all day long in hayfever season, with all the ragweed and both of us were fine. No snoring, our skin looks phenomenal (YAY) and our joints are as limber as they were in our 20's, no popping or creaking or crunching when stretching and moving. Even my neck is loose and moves in any position smoothly. Digestion is optimal. This water cure is my way of life now, FOR LIFE. Simple sea salt and water has done us both the WORLD of good! Super cheap (almost free) and extraordinarily effective. The only cure we need!

PS - he hasn't needed any of those expensive allergy meds he used to need daily! He no longer uses over the counter pain meds daily for headaches. It's wonderful!!!

Eliminate Dairy

Posted by Dave (Fountain Inn, Sc) on 04/02/2014

Hello Kezza,

Yes you can get age related allergies. Your doctor is just wrong on that one. But the allergy might be more related to the lessening of enzyme activity due to the aging process. However you want to see it the effect is the same. So you could take enzymes to make up for the lessening production by the body. Or just cut back on what has become problematic.

I have found eating papaya works wonders on digestive issues.

Eliminate Dairy

Posted by Rsw (Uniontown, OH) on 04/02/2014

Hi Keeza,

My Father was very healthy most of his life, but when he was in his fifties, he developed all kinds of allergies to many different foods and pollen. This led to adult onset asthma. So I can tell you that your doctor is incorrect and you can develop allergies at any point in your lifetime. The allergy shots my Father had for years, seemed to be of little help for him. If you can figure out what is causing the allergy, as you have with the milk, then avoidance may be the best plan. Best wishes.

Eliminate Dairy

Posted by Kezza (Gloucester) on 04/02/2014
★★★★★

Hi, I was wondering what I can do for allergies as I have sinusitis and always getting viral infections, I have been being sick a lot lately with inflammation of my chest. I stopped drinking milk and haven't been sick since. I feel a bit sickly lately as I ate cheese for 2 days, but the dr. said I can't have an allergy at my age, which is 32. I'm just wondering if all my illness is due to allergies. Thank you.

Oregano Oil

Posted by Tina (Ohio) on 03/25/2014
★☆☆☆☆

Unfortunately oregano oil doesn't do anything for my allergies. Nose/sinuses still bad, eyes still irritated and hurting.

Magnesium

Posted by Toourlady89 (Hayward, Ca) on 12/23/2013
★★★★★

I developed allergies post menopausal, I got sensitive simply to any minimal changes in my vitamins. It all got started by hives due taking Collagen supplements. (It could be anything ) It made me highly sensitive to even brand change of the same ..vitamins/supplements. I had severe hives and deep itching untractable. Nothing was helping the itch, I couldn't even sleep, scratching thru the night. My MD has put me on Prednisone 2 week complete treatments for about 3 to 4 x a year for more than 2 years. I never had allergies before.

Then I found Magnesium. I see that many are already taking Mg but its the kind with Calcium. Magnesium is the mineral that could lessen the body's sensitivity to allergens (substances that could stimulate immune protective body response such as hives, rashes, asthma, excema etc.). We need to maintain enough Mg in the blood, muscles and brain. It takes 6 months to a year to build up enough Mg to correct deficiency. It takes time to build cause we also use it up everyday. Once Mg is enough in the system you will notice these allergies will subside. There is a Book on Mg called the Magnesium Miracle, also another on Transdermal Mg. It complements each other. To speed building up Mg in the system, I had to use both oral and transdermal forms. Oral being Mg Glycinate 3 caps a day (400 mg Elemental Mg) and also Mg Oil rub to the body as often as you could do it. Please google Mg Deficiency / Allergies. Patience is needed as it will take time, but it will work. Currently, I have no further allergies to anything, I am back to my old self. Thanks to Mg. In time

It is important to maintain the dosage everyday till you feel the change.. you will have stronger immunity. I am taking Mg supplements everyday. It helps in all aspects of life. In memory, lessens stress, helps in sleep, relieves fear of the unknown, depression, tremors, migraines and hundreds more.

Lemon Juice

Posted by Stephanie (Georgia, Usa) on 08/30/2013
★★★★★

I haven't seen much on this but lemon juice can stop an allergy attack in its tracks... Almost instantly. Depending on the severity of the attack and how long you have allowed it to go, you may have to take two or three shots of lemon juice. That's how we do it. My husband has severe allergy attacks and most allergy meds doesn't even help him. If I hear him sneezing and blowing his nose I run and grab the lemon juice, he takes a big swig from the bottle and the attack will usually stop, sometimes if it's a bad one he will have to take a second swig. This has worked great for our family.

Address Dehydration

Posted by Joy (Battleground, Wash) on 05/29/2013
★★★★★

Regarding allergies - yes the allergy shots, the rotation elimination diet, the fear, the planning, the suffering... Been there and done that and then the stomach aches, back aches, neck aches... all for not. The water cure by Dr. Batmanghelidj answered all that was screaming for help inside of me.... Dehydration signals present themselves in the form of histamine. When the body is low on water or salt or potassium or magnesium or calcium or trace minerals it sends out histamine to get our attention.

Dietary Changes

Posted by Miked (Exeter, Nh, Usa) on 05/29/2013
★★★★★

Just wanted to post this b/c I am a teacher and I believe in helping people. I have suffered from allergies all my life. In the last 20 years it has been really bad. I started seeing an allergist. Got allergy shots for 10 years. Developed nasal pollyps which is inflamed sinus tissue that forms into little balloons that block your nose. I saw my allergist three weeks ago and I couldnt breathe through my nose and I had an ear infection. He gave me antibiotics and my ear healed but my nose was still plogged up. He also gave me more nasal sprays. Last week I got an infection in my face that felt so bleeping bad it brought me to tears. I went to my regular Dr. and he gave me antibiotics and my nose cleared up.

On Saturday I ate some broccolli in a bag and shrimp and my nose swelled up. I have been trying natural rememdies for about a year now and what I have discovered is that I diagnosed myself opposite and my remedies were hurting me even more and made me toxic.

Your body makes histamines in response to allegies or foreign material that freaks your body out. It causes inflammation and then mucus gets trapped in there and causes you to get stuffed up. Food high in histamine naturally are a lot of surprising bad foods and good foods like soda, spinach, tomatoes, cheese, alcohol, vineger and lots more. Ressearch if you would like. I dont seem to need medicine and doesn't seem that allergies bother me after eating foods low in histamine.

I eat bananas, fresh turkey (foods processed and bagged are not good for you at all), watermelon, apples, ricotta cheese, grapes, eggs were ok, potato salad without prapika.

If you have health problems there are answers for you that maybe your Dr. doesn't know about or just wants to pump you up with medicine. But, my problems might not be yours. But if someone feels better from cutting out histamine foods...... Great.

Common reactions to histamine are also skin rashes and hives. My 5 year old nephew suffers from this so I told my sister.

I also tried the ACV and GFSE. Vinegar is not good for histamine intolerance. I also tried all that sinuswars stuff. If I eat right I feel great and don't need anything. Here are some general pointers:

Avoid or reduce eating canned foods and ready meals
Avoid or reduce eating ripened and fermented foods (older cheeses, alcoholic drinks, products containing yeast, stale fish)
Histamine levels in foods vary, depending on how ripe, matured or hygienic the foods are
As much as it is possible, only buy and eat fresh products.
Don't allow foods to linger outside the refrigerator - especially meat products
Ensure that your food preparation area (kitchen) is always kept clean - but don't be manic!
Everyone has their own threshold; you will need to find yours
Consult a certified dietician about working out a balanced diet
Learn to cook! It can be loads of fun once you get into it

Low histamine level foods:

Fresh meat (cooled, frozen or fresh)
Freshly caught fish
Chicken (skinned and fresh)
Egg yolk
Fresh fruits - with the exception of strawberries, most fresh fruits are considered to have a low histamine level (also see histamine liberators below)
Fresh vegetables - with the exception of tomatoes
Grains - rice noodles, yeast free rye bread, rice crisp bread, oats, puffed rice crackers, millet flour, pasta (spelt and corn based)
Fresh pasteurised milk and milk products
Milk substitutes- coconut milk, rice milk
Cream cheese, butter (without the histamine generating rancidity)
Most cooking oils - check suitability before use
Most leafy herbs - check suitability before use
Most non-citric fruit juices
Herbal teas - with the exception of those listed below

High histamine level foods:

Alcohol
Pickled or canned foods - sauerkrauts
Matured cheeses
Smoked meat products - salami, ham, sausages.
Shellfish
Beans and pulses - chickpeas, soy beans, peanuts
Nuts - walnuts, cashew nuts
Chocolates and other cocoa based products
Most citric fruits
Wheat based products
Vinegar
Ready meals
Salty snacks, sweets with preservatives and artificial colourings

Histamine liberators:

Most citric fruits - kiwi, lemon, lime, pineapple, plums
Cocoa and chocolate
Nuts
Papaya
Beans and pulses
Tomatoes
Wheat germ
Additives - benzoate, sulphites, nitrites, glutamate, food dyes

Diamine Oxidase (DAO) blockers:

Alcohol
Black tea
Energy drinks
Green tea
Mate tea

Debatable:

Yoghurt - depends on the bacteria culture used
Egg white - it is a histamine liberator only when in its raw state

Other:

Yeast - even though it does not contain histamine as such, yeast serves as a catalyst for histamine generation during manufacture. There is no yeast in the end product.

Sources include:

http://www.nahrungsmittel-intoleranz.com/histaminintoleranz-informationen/symptome-histaminintoleranz.html
Maintz L, Novak N: Histamine and histamine intolerance, American Journal of Clinical

Oil Pulling

Posted by Mln (Clinton, NJ) on 04/12/2013
★★★★★

Sunflower Oil cured the nasal allergies that had plagued me all of my life in under a year. I used to take a cheaper 24 hour pill 365 days. During grass and ragweed season I had to ADD a 12 hour non-drowsy pill.

I only "pulled" the oil once in the morning for 20 minutes. After I spit out the oil, I rinse with a small amount (1/4 teaspoon or a bit more) of a mixture of baking soda and salt in a quarter cup of cool water. I rinse/spit/rinse and brush my teeth right then but don't use toothpaste.

I kept oil pullling up because I love the way my teeth are whiter, my mouth feels like I just went to the dentist, and that my breath is very clean. The plaque is nearly non-existent.

I recently noticed that I like doing crafts with my fingers again. I never realized that I might have arthritis, but I guess I did because I'm happily using my fingers again!

I highly recommend oil pulling as I've also noticed that even the back of my teeth have gotten whiter and the teeth cleaning at the dentist is easier and less odorous.