Alternative Remedies for Fall Allergies

If you suffer from fall allergies, such as hay fever, it is not always necessary to take a pharmaceutical drug to relieve the problems. This is true especially if you are sensitive to traditional medicines or suffer from side-effects which are worse to deal with than the allergies themselves. If you suffer greatly, you will want to see a doctor, and before you try any of the alternative methods here, your doctor should be consulted anyway for perspective and to see if there are any contraindications with other medicines you may already be taking.

One the easiest and best alternative medicines when dealing with fall allergies is from our friends, the bees. If you can find a locally made honey, then use this. It must be local, because the honey produced by the local bees is made from the self-same stuff that is giving you the allergies. By eating local honey on a daily basis, you will slowly build an immunity to the pollens causing the problems. The honey provides your body with these pollens in doses low enough that you will suffer no ill effects, yet be recognizable to your body. If you cannot find local honey, another alternative is HoneyBee Pollen. This oaty-looking and tasting substance can help to strengthen your resistance as well. It can be found all over the internet and at many health food stores.

Butterbur extract may also help to fight your fall allergies. Butterbur is a shrub that grows over most of the world, except Africa and Antarctica. The extracts made from butterbur have been used for centuries for many problems, including allergies, migraines, coughs, and asthma. It is not known how it works exactly, but is thought to block the actions of histamines much like traditional allergy medication.

Quercetin is another option. This is an antioxidant in the class of flavonoids. It also is thought to prevent histamine action. It is naturally found in apples, berries, red grapes, and black tea. It is available as a supplement in gel cap or pill form.

Carotenoids are plant pigments that are useful to the body in many ways. The most well-known of these is beta-carotene. While they may not help with reducing symptoms that have already set in, carotenoids can help to prevent symptoms if your body is not lacking them in your diet. Consider eating at least one serving per day of carrots, spinach, pumpkin, kale, or apricots to give your body a healthy dose.

The last alternative treatment I will discuss for the purpose of relieving fall allergies is acupuncture. Acupuncture is still growing the West but has been used successfully for centuries in China. Studies have suggested that acupuncture treatment may relieve sensitivity and symptoms associated with hay fever and allergies. It is not a quick fix, however, and you will most likely need at least 8 weeks of treatment for the effects to be noticed.

Any of these alternative methods of fall allergy control may very well provide you the relief that you seek. If you suffer from severe allergies these methods should be used in conjunction with traditional medicines and always with a consultation from your doctor.