It’s that time of year again: Allergy season!
If you are a person who is “blessed” with seasonal allergies, you probably find this time of year challenging. The good news? There are a few all-natural remedies you can utilize to help relieve symptoms of seasonal allergies and bolster your immune system in the process:
Take a quality magnesium supplement.
You’re probably not surprised to see magnesium topping our list. That’s because magnesium is needed for 80% of the biochemical reactions in your body – and this includes lowering the body’s histamine levels and boosting your overall immunity. Having low magnesium levels, on the other hand, can actually make your seasonal allergies worse. As one notable study stated:
“Magnesium deficiency … leads to characteristic hyperemia, an increase in IgE, neutrophilia and eosinophilia, an increase in the level of proinflammatory cytokines, mastocyte degranulation, histaminemia, and splenomegaly.”
In simpler terms: Magnesium is needed for your body to help combat allergies. (We recently covered the details about how this works in a webinar that you can watch here.)
In addition to lowering histamine levels and reducing inflammation, magnesium is shown to promote bronchial dilation and improve overall lung function, which helps to ease symptoms of asthma – a big win during allergy season.
Why should you take a magnesium supplement? (A better question to ask may be: why not?) While magnesium can be obtained from your diet, studies show that the vast majority of the population is deficient in magnesium. Modern farming practices and food processing methods are largely to blame, as they have depleted magnesium from our food supply. It can take a lot of intention and planning to ensure you are getting enough of this vital mineral. That’s where a magnesium supplement comes in handy: It can help to fill any dietary gaps to ensure you are getting enough to combat seasonal allergies.
Make sure you are getting enough quercetin.
Quercetin is a flavonoid found in foods like onions, apples, berries, broccoli and tea. Research shows that quercetin can prevent immune cells from releasing histamines. This is a great nutrient to take alongside magnesium, as quercetin helps to inhibit the release of histamine while magnesium works to lessen histamine inflammation. Ensure you are getting enough quercetin-rich foods during allergy season, or consult with your local health food store about supplement support.
Consider homeopathic remedies.
Studies on homeopathic remedies for allergies are admittedly limited, but many people find them helpful during allergy season. If your allergy symptoms typically include nasal irritation, consider trying Allium Cepa, Arsenic Album, Arundo Mauri, Kali Bichromicum and/or Gelsemium. Many homeopathic companies offer nasal spray formulas that may be helpful for allergy season. Be sure to check with your local health food store for any homeopathic tips and recommendations.
Try acupuncture.
Acupuncture seemingly works like magic for a myriad of health issues, and it may be true for seasonal allergy relief, as well! In 2015, researchers reviewing 13 studies concluded that acupuncture demonstrated positive results for both seasonal and perennial allergic rhinitis. (Rhinitis includes sneezing, nasal irritation, congestion and runny nose.)
Mask up!
Most of us are glad our mask-wearing days are behind us, but here's some good news: we no longer stand out in a crowd when wearing one. So take advantage of these post-pandemic times and mask-up during allergy season. Wearing a mask outside during windy days can help to reduce your exposure to allergy triggers. Another tip is to avoid cigarette smoke and/or wear a mask when it can’t be avoided, as cigarette smoke is shown to aggravate symptoms of hay fever.
Ensure adequate probiotic intake.
Studies show that probiotics (specifically Lactobacillus acidophilus, a type of bacteria found in your intestines) can be helpful in the prevention and treatment of seasonal allergies. Probiotics are found in fermented foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, yogurt and pickles. You can also buy probiotic supplements.
One last note about magnesium:
A quality magnesium supplement matters. You are what you absorb, so it’s important to ensure you get a highly absorbable formula like MAG365 Ionic Magnesium Citrate (powder form) or PrizMAG Pure Magnesium Bisglycinate (capsule form). Both formulas are made with the highest quality ingredients and expertly formulated for optimal absorption. Plus they are 100% pure with no fillers, artificial colors or flavors.
Here’s to an allergy-free season!