5 Natural Home Remedies for Spring Allergies

Let's face it — spring allergies can make the beautiful spring weather seem like something you'd rather avoid. Instead of hiding from the outdoors, help your family avoid spring allergies with these five effective home remedies.

Use a Neti Pot

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Whether you're new to using a neti pot or swear by this prized allergy reducer, you can clear out allergens from your nasal passages easily and effectively by using this traditional Ayurvedic home remedy. Ohio State University explains, "Salt-water washes, soothes the nose, and removes reaction-causing pollens and other allergens."

To use a neti pot, start by filling the small pot with a warm saline solution using distilled water and sea salt. Insert the tip of the spout into one nostril, then tilt your head to the side and allow the solution to flow out through the other nostril. Try using this treatment after you've spent time outside, especially when the pollen count is high in your area.

Eat Local Raw Honey

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Eating raw, local honey to help combat spring allergies has become a first line of treatment for some families, and children naturally love taking their daily tablespoon of liquid gold. Although this home remedy took awhile to gain acceptance in the medical community, studies now show that using honey to treat allergies can actually help.

According to the University of Florida, "...the increased exposure of pollen in natural, unprocessed honey may help to reduce allergies to these specific pollens." Experts suggest that eating raw, local honey each day helps your body develop a tolerance to allergens in the air and will lessen your reaction to them. However, always make sure to only give honey to children ages 12 month and older.

Ramp Up Your Cleaning Routine

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As a parent, you try to keep your house in a relative state of clean, but throughout allergy season, you might need to bump up your cleaning regimen even more. Pollen and other allergens can build up on bedding, carpets, rugs, and surfaces around your home. By deep cleaning your home more frequently, you can help reduce the total amount of allergens that end up inside of your home. Start your spring cleaning off on the right foot by washing all of your bedding at least once per week, vacuuming your carpets and rugs at least twice per week, and wiping off surfaces a few times per week.

Use Frankincense Essential Oil

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This allergy season, get a breath of fresh air — with the aroma of a little frankincense oil in it, that is. Washington State University suggests that frankincense essential oil might actually help boost your body's immune system to help reduce your reaction to pollen and other allergens. For an immune stimulant, combine frankincense oil with olive or jojoba oil to use as an aromatherapeutic massage oil, or simply add a couple of drops into an aromatic room diffuser.

Drink Green Tea

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If you're used to drinking your daily cup of joe, you might want to switch to something a little greener during allergy season. Green tea contains a special compound called epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, that creates an anti-allergenic reaction within the body. This means that drinking green tea helps inhibit any allergic reactions that might occur throughout the season.

Furthermore, other compounds in green tea, including tea polyphenol and quercetin, can reduce reactions to pollen allergies even more. So, go ahead and put the kettle on!

Identify these common environmental allergies in kids and discover how to help your little ones fight spring allergies.