4 natural allergy remedies you can easily try at home

Millions of people suffer from seasonal allergies, and while there isn’t a cure, there are some natural allergy remedies that can alleviate symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.

The biggest spring allergy trigger is pollen, which is released by trees, grass and weeds to fertilize other plants. Unfortunately for humans, our immune systems mistake pollen for being dangerous and release a chemical called histamine to protect the body. Histamine creates allergy symptoms like runny noses or itchy eyes.

To help save you from running back and forth between your apartment and the pharmacy this spring, In The Know’s Phoebe Zaslav researched four at-home remedies that will hopefully soothe your symptoms.

1. Eat local honey

“According to intensive research, eating honey produced by bees in your region can seriously help relieve some of your allergy symptoms,” Phoebe said. “If you eat a little local honey every day, you’ll gradually become immune to the really annoying effects that pollen has.”

2. Eat spicy foods

“If you’re suffering from allergy congestion, eating spicy add-ons like hot sauce, chili peppers, cayenne peppers [and] even garlic or wasabi often act as a natural decongestant,” Phoebe explained.

3. Steam up your shower

If spicy foods aren’t your thing, try taking a hot shower.

“Turning up your water temperature super hot can have a lot of internal benefits, like flushing out your mucus and moistening up your dry nasal passages,” Phoebe said. “A hot shower can also help wash away allergens from your skin and your hair, getting rid of any allergy triggers you may have picked up outside.”

4. Use eucalyptus essential oils

“Essential oils are so good for so many different things,” she said. “Essential oils can help promote steam inhalation which can help open up your sinuses and nasal passages even further.”

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