April showers bring May flowers, but what do May flowers bring? Allergies! These irritants can affect people in different ways, ranging from slightly annoying all the way to life-threatening. Common causes of Allergies include dust, pollen, pet dander, and weak immune systems. Many of these factors can be easy to alleviate, but over-the-counter medications often have harsh side-effects. Here are some drug-free ways to prevent allergies on two fronts, in the home and in the body.

Rid Your Home of Allergens

Focus on cleanliness and hygiene to reduce the impact of allergens on your family. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

• Make sure there is no mold or dust in the house. The different rooms of your home can require specific cleaning regimes for best results.
• Closing the windows, especially between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., can help reduce the pollen in your home.
• Changing clothes after coming into the house and adding 25 drops of eucalyptus oil to your laundry detergent cuts down on the irritants that enter your home.
• Try cleaning the house with natural, less harsh cleaning solutions.
• Shower after doing outside work since pollutants cling to your skin, hair, and clothes.
• Regularly service HVAC filters at least every 90 days. If you have pets, you’ll want to do it more often. Every 30 days is wise during the peak of allergy season.

Reducing pet dander is another way to bring your family relief from allergies. To cut down on irritants, regularly bathe and groom your household pets. Keeping Fido and Fifi’s skin hydrated can help as well. One trick is to add coconut oil or fish oil to their food.

Prevent Allergy Symptoms With Nutrition

You can fight allergies with proper nutrition. Eating foods that support immune health is one way to fight off symptoms. Additionally, following an alkaline diet promotes anti-inflammatory efforts and encourages toxin excretion. Try some of these in your daily food preparation.

• Garlic
• Lemon
• Ginger
• Apple cider vinegar
• Wasabi
• Foods with healthy fats, like fish
• Probiotic-rich foods
• Bone broth
• Gluten-free flour and grains
• Raw honey
• Things with quercetin (broccoli, cauliflower, green tea, citrus fruits)
• Vitamins A, C, E, and zinc

Essential oils complement anti-inflammatory efforts well. You can use them to make homemade oil rubs, add them to teas, or use them in a diffuser. Eucalyptus, frankincense, basil, and peppermint are good ones to start with.

Use Alternative and Homeopathic Options

These non-medicinal treatments have few adverse side-effects, but boast many beneficial outcomes. Irrigate nasal passages with saline spray or a neti pot for easier breathing. Professional acupuncture treatments can bring relief for many. A steam treatment at home or at a sauna is another good option.

Many scientific studies have found homeopathic care to be an effective way to reduce Allergy Symptoms and flare-ups. Research these plants to see if they’re a good option for you.

• Gingko
• Milk thistle
• Red clover
• Butterbur (or Butterbur extract called Ze 339)
• Eyebright
• Stinging nettle leaf

For the best understanding of how to treat allergies specific to you and your loved ones, get an allergy test done to learn the exact allergens that trigger the symptoms. Environments both in and out of the home are important factors in the severity of allergy symptoms, so follow these easy guidelines to get the most enjoyment of the beautiful springtime weather.

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