6 home remedies to avoid seasonal allergies

Sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose: seasonal allergies (pollen allergies) affect the environment one in three French people. Some existing tips to relieve symptoms.
Like a particularly sunny weekend – and despite the weather that promises to be much more unstable this week – spring has indeed taken hold throughout France in recent days. With him, the vegetation wakes up; allergies too. Seven departments have already been placed on a red pollen alert. Sneezing, coughing, runny nose, itchy eyes: 30% of adults and up to 20% of children affected, according to a report by the National Health Security Agency (ANSES). Natural remedies * can, however, relieve these symptoms repeatedly.

Nettle or peppermint herbal teas

In Seasonal Allergies, Nettle may be irritating, even stinging, but it is also and above all one of the most effective medicinal plants. Among its many powers, it soothes in particular the symptoms of hay fever, by acting as an antihistamine. If some stores offer it in the form of capsules, it is also possible to consume herbal tea. Nothing could be simpler: just give two teaspoons in 150 ml of hot water and let it steep for ten minutes. Consume two to three times a day.

Peppermint, concentrated in menthol, can also help eliminate, or at least decrease nasal congestion.

Cold water compresses on the eyes

For calming itching and swelling of the eyes, applying a compress of cold water – or a sachet of wet and cold – for ten minutes on the eyes is often effective. Cotton wool soaked in rose water, or even a small metal spoon spent in the refrigerator for a while can also do the trick. Be careful, however, not to put ice directly in contact with the skin, as this could cause a form of burning.

Salt and hot water for the runny nose

In the event of irritation of the nose ( runny nose ), the pods of physiological serum make it possible to moisten the mucous membranes. It is also possible to prepare a clean saline solution. To do this, simply dissolve half a teaspoon of salt in 250 ml of hot water. It remains to find a small syringe or a rubber bulb to inject the mixture into each nostril.

arragon on a piece of bread

Traditionally used to relieve toothaches and fight against insomnia, tarragon is also an anti-allergen. To enjoy its benefits, several solutions exist. If a few drops of essential oils can be placed on a tissue, to breathe three times a day, the leaves can also be chewed. It is also possible to consume on a piece of pain, morning and evening.

Honey to relieve sore throat

In the case of a sore throat, honey remains a well-known grandmother’s remedy. What is more, lavender honey, whose softening effects act very quickly. Ideally, it is better to choose organic honey produced in the region. It just shows desensitization to local pollens. The method in any case has proven its worth on the American army. It is therefore recommended to consume two tablespoons a day, like melting honey five to ten minutes in the mouth. It is advisable to start two months before the period in which you suffer most from hay fever, and this until the end of the summer period.

More simply, honey can be mixed with lemon juice, the vitamin C contained in lemon blocking the secretion of histamine by white blood cells. A tablespoon of honey is enough.

Seasonal Allergies Onion, source of vitamin C and quercetin

It is also rich in vitamin C: the onion, which also contains quercetin (an antioxidant) acts as a natural antihistamine and effective against spring allergies. So why not be tempted by an onion juice? To do this, mince a red onion and infuse it in a liter of mineral water for 8 to 12 hours. We may keep for 4 days. Does the taste put you off? Then add a teaspoon of honey to each glass. Always not? The apple – with its skin -, the red berries, the red grapes and the black tea also contain quercetin.

Seasonal Allergies : Foods to avoid

On the contrary, other foods can make your symptoms worse. This is the case of spicy dishes. Capsaicin, an active compound that gives peppers their intensity, in fact triggers symptoms similar to seasonal allergies: runny nose, watery eyes, even sneezing. The process is not the same, but you might as well avoid accumulating ailments.

Even chose for alcohol. According to a 2005 study, the consumption of red wine and white wine, in this case, increases blockages and runny nose,

• These remedies given as examples should never dispense you from doing an allergological assessment. The most effective ones are the antihistamines or the drops prescribed by your doctor. It is also recommended to follow a desensitization treatment a few months before the peak period.