February 24, 2024
The time is now for Allergy Prep
Turning to natural remedies for seasonal allergies is an effective way to treat symptoms and manage discomfort; however, many lifestyle changes can also be implemented in anticipation of allergy season as a solid course of action.
To get your body in the best possible position to combat allergens, it’s advised to start treatment a month before runnysneezyscratchyachey season. Like now.
1. HABITS
Taking proactive steps before allergy season begins can help prepare your body to better handle allergens when they become prevalent. Here are some specific actions to consider before allergy season, to mitigate indoor allergens effectively:
Tend to Your Home Firstly, incorporate high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters into your heating and cooling systems. These filters are instrumental in capturing airborne particles and reducing indoor allergens. Secondly, prioritize regular cleaning routines to eliminate dust, mold, and other allergens from your living space. Using a vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter can enhance the efficiency of this process. Finally, maintain cleanliness in your bedding by washing sheets, pillowcases, and blankets frequently in hot water. This practice helps to remove allergens effectively, promoting a healthier indoor environment and minimizing allergy-related discomfort.
Boost Your Immune System Incorporating certain foods into your diet may provide natural antihistamine properties and help reduce inflammation associated with allergies, stopping symptoms before they start. Examples include ginger, turmeric, garlic, onions, and foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon, flaxseeds, and walnuts. Maintaining a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins supports overall immune health and gives you a leg up for whatever may come your way. Last but not least, ensure your medicine cabinet is stocked with essential tools to manage allergies effectively, including some of our recommended favorites below.
Manage Stress Believe it or not, managing stress can significantly enhance allergy resilience. You see, stress triggers the release of cortisol, a hormone that influences the body’s response to stress. Elevated cortisol levels can lead to inflammation, exacerbating allergy symptoms. Moreover, chronic stress compromises the immune system, heightening susceptibility to infections and allergic reactions. Additionally, stress disrupts sleep patterns, resulting in poor sleep quality that worsens allergy symptoms. Adequate sleep is essential for overall health and immune function support. Acupuncture, too, can support a balanced nervous system.
By taking these proactive measures before allergy season starts, you can help minimize the impact of allergens on your health and better manage your allergy symptoms when they arise.
2. SUPPLEMENTS
Sometimes, allergic responses can be reduced with just a few lifestyle changes (like diet, hydration, exercise for example), but specific supplements can up the ante on decreasing inflammation in the body’s systems— the root of why we suffer from allergies.
Be Anti-Histamine Your immune system gets triggered when you encounter an allergen, such as pollen or dust. To protect you, it launches Histamines— the process that gets allergens off your skin or out of your body. This process often involves sneezing, redness, tearing up, swelling, or itching. Where anti-histamines combat histamines after they’ve formed, Vitamin C prevents the formation of histamines, and Liposomal Vitamin C is the most absorbable form of Vitamin C (made even more absorbable when taken with bioflavonoids, aka colorful fruits and vegetables).
Get Fishy Cod liver oil contains a great combination of omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin D. What does this have to do with allergies? Well, if you’re deficient in vitamins A and D you’re at a greater risk of chronic inflammation, which is the cause of allergies. Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids can reduce chronic inflammation by suppressing the proteins that promote it. Most commercial cod liver oils are highly processed with heat that wipes out the natural vitamins A and D, and damages the fragile omega-3 fatty acids. That’s why we carry Rosita Cod Liver Oil— the only fresh, wild-caught, and raw cod liver oil in the entire world. And we have it in 2 forms, liquid and capsules.
Learn to Say Quercetin One of the most abundant antioxidants in a healthy diet, quercetin plays an important role in helping your body combat free radical damage, which is linked to chronic diseases, and drumroll… reducing allergies. Foods that commonly contain quercetin include onions, apples, grapes, berries, broccoli, citrus fruits, green tea, coffee, red wine, and capers. While we support your getting as many nutrients via food, Cymbiotika Allergy Defense blends antioxidants, bioflavonoids, medicinal herbs, and enzymes (including quercetin) to boost immune function and promote the body’s response to allergens, pollen, mold, and parasites
Sniff the Good Stuff Salt Inhalation, or halotherapy, is breathing salty air that can ease respiratory conditions, such as allergies, asthma, and bronchitis (also psychological and skin conditions). We suggest salt inhalation this time of year no matter if you’re an allergy sufferer or not. Fortifying the breath and airways is always an A+ move toward vitality. And Living Libations Salt Inhaler is a positively purifying (and petite) device. It comes with a small bag of Himalayan Pink Salt, fits nicely in the palm of your hand, and is perfect for on-the-go care. If you’re curious about or familiar with Neti Pots, this practice is a good fit for you.
Befriend the Wild If you suffer from allergies it might be time to explore the benefits of Elderberry— a go-to ingredient in allergy treatments for hundreds of years. The elderberry plant produces a rich elixir that’s particularly effective at reducing the impact of inflammation, and Cymbiotika Liposomal Elderberry Supplement is a potent antiviral, adaptogen, and antioxidant. This liposomal elderberry also contains Vitamin C, Echinacea, and Vitamin E to enhance overall wellness during allergy season, and year-round.