Home remedies for allergy include honey, ginger, green tea, peppermint, chamomile, thyme, lime, oatmeal, apple cider vinegar, etc. Allergy is the most commonly found disease, but it can be prevented by following easy preventions on regular basis. Some basic precautions include avoiding physical interaction with plants, dust and animals. Always use clean and washed pillows, bed-sheets, etc. Air conditioners and air fresheners also help to keep the air germfree and de-humidified. Different sources of allergies are deficiency of nutrition, repetitive as well as monotonous diet and chemicals through which pesticides or preservatives enter the food chain.
As many as 35 million Americans suffer from various forms of allergies, as researched by American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology . However, Immuno Labs in Fort Lauderdale, Florida considers this figure to be much higher.
Proper diet helps a lot in dealing with allergies. It forms the basic healthy nutrition for your body and creates strong immunity to fight with various allergic symptoms like coughs, cold, fever, itching and breathing infections. Food or diet should never be monotonous. Maintain a rotational diet to ensure that you are getting all the nutrients and necessary elements to keep yourself strong, healthy and immune from allergies.
Home remedies take time to cure and prevent any disease. If these are followed properly, one can stay healthier without suffering from allergy.
- Honey: In case of honey, the local one is most beneficial. Consume honey with teas, breads or just plain in little portion. Local honey makes your body resistant to few types of pollens. Honey should never be cooked as it destructs the beneficial qualities of this natural product. Pure form of honey, specially the raw honey which hasn’t been heated or filtered, is the best for use against allergies.
- Ginger: Take a piece of freshly peeled and cut ginger root. Add boiling hot water over it. Wait for 5-10 minutes. Honey can also be used to add sweetness to it. This is very good as decongestant and antihistamine. It has a direct effect on the anti-inflammatory processes of the human body, as it plays a pivotal role in dominating the platelet-activating factor.
- Green Tea: The commonly used tea is active histamine. At least 1-2 cups a day with honey is helpful. Japanese researchers have found a compound called Methylated Epigallocatechin Gallate in green tea, which inhibits the cell receptor included in activating allergic responses. The researches are presently scrutinising the effect of the compound on rodents. Though, it has been found that this compound plays a vital role in fighting against watery eyes, sneezing and cough, which are the basic symptoms of allergies.
- Peppermint Tea: Consumption of this tea helps in relieving congestion. If the weather is warm, you can make iced-tea with it. It tastes better and also cures cough and the problem of sinus.
- Chamomile Tea: Those who don't have any previous history of allergic responses against ragweed can have 2-3 cups of chamomile, with addition of honey to prevent allergies. Chamomile tea is natural histamine.
- Thyme: This is a variety of tea helpful in treating congestion. Thyme tea can be used in blocked noses, coughs and sinus infections. Consume a single cup daily. Do not take more than that. Thyme can be used in cooking for beneficial purposes.
- Lime Juice: Lime juice is the best home remedy for any type of allergy. But it should not be taken by anyone who has a previous history of suffering from allergy of citrus fruits. It is advisable to drink a glass of lukewarm water, mixed with honey and lime juice for some months for fighting against allergy.
- Oatmeal: If you suffer from hives due to allergies oatmeal is really helpful. Add a cup of boiling water to oatmeal measuring about one tablespoon. Keep aside for 30 minutes. Strain and apply with cotton balls on the hives. Bug bites can also be relieved. You can refrigerate it to use it within some days. If you prefer to use it with bath water make it in a larger amount.
- Apple cider vinegar: If you are bitten by bugs or hives and suffering from itching, apple cider vinegar is very much helpful. Mix with little portion of water and apply on the affected area with the help of a cotton ball. You can also use it in little quantity while bathing.
- Mono Diet of Fruits and Vegetables: In order to fight against allergies, it is advisable to start with a mono diet consisting of apples, carrots and grapes. The patient should keep on adding a different vegetable or a fruit after every week. It is necessary to supplement the mono diet with some proteins in the third week. It is necessary to avoid food, which is rich in alcohol, butter, cheese, chicken, fish, pickles etc.
- Non-allergenic diet: Take fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts, etc, which are non-allergenic in nature. They will keep you healthy and fit and provide your body the strength to fight with allergies.
This article was contributed by Seema Adnani
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References: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunollogy and Immuno Labs.
