Stop That Sniffling!

The weather was beautiful (for TO at least) last week, so I threw open my windows to let the spring breeze into my room. 10 minutes later I felt like I got hit by a truck. Allergy season crept up on me and basically slapped me in the face. Life got so crazy that I didn't even think about the upcoming allergy season, and then I thought maybe..just maybe things would be different this year. They're not.
So I rummaged through the supplements that I've accumulated over the past year or so but never got to use and found just the perfect remedy:

Sabadil: 

Allergy Homeopathic Medicine

From Boiron

Ever since that day I've been popping these like it's going out of style. You dissolve two under the tongue, every 15 minutes (10-15 minutes away from any food or water) as soon as you feel the symptoms, for the first hour. Then you dissolve two as needed. It relieves all symptoms of allergies almost instantly. The first day I tried it I actually walked around outside for about an hour with no runny nose (my main symptom)! I now take this even before I step outside. Homeopathic is amazing in that it has virtually no contraindications, is non-habit forming, made from pure plant extracts, and is extremely safe! I'm a huge advocate because every single time I've used homeopathic remedies, especially for quick relief of acid reflux, sore throat, etc, it has worked like a charm. A foolproof remedy, and you have nothing to lose! Except for about $10. But hopefully that won't happen.

Over the counter anti-histamine medications have tons of side effects, including moderate to severe drowsiness,  impaired cognitive function, headaches, fatigue, stomach upset, and with over use, can cause impaired sleep patterns. It's best to stay away from long term use and try out safer natural alternatives that work with your body, not against it.

Xlear Nasal Spray

This spray is a great way to clear out stuffy sinuses as well as remove allergens that may be hanging around your nose, and is safe for long term use. Not sure if they sell this in Canada but they have similar products in health food stores. Overuse of over the counter nasal sprays can also cause damage and dryness to the nasal cavity with prolonged use.

Other Remedies

-Omega 3 Fatty Acids
I have started taking fish oil again, since I was switching between the Udo's 3-6-9 (see post here) and my fish oil. High quality fish oil has Omega 3's which drastically reduce inflammation, which is a result of the body trying to attack and remove the allergen.

-Vitamin C
I take about 3,000-4,000 mg of Vitamin C daily, throughout the day. Vitamin C lowers histamine in the body,  which is released by cells to destroy the allergen and results in an allergic reaction and all the symptoms that come along with it. So reducing histamine=reducing allergy symptoms.

-Quercetin: Quercetin is a bioflavonoid, or antioxidant that is found naturally in onions, berries and citrus fruit and also blocks the release of histamine. It's best to take this throughout the year, specifically daily for three months before your personal allergy season arrives. Usually comes in a complex with other bioflavonoids and vitamin C.

All of the above products can be found at your local health food store.

So far, only a week into doing fish oil, vitamin C and quercetin daily, I feel about 80% better than the first day I was affected. I actually take less of the homeopathic now because my symptoms have improved drastically!

Sometimes allergies, especially to foods, can be attributed to poor gut functioning. If you suspect that you have poor digestion and suffer from any allergies, then I highly recommend seeing a natural practitioner to find out the underlying cause. I am on the way to healing my own digestive system so I'm hoping that over time I can be free of these horrific allergies. Until then, I'll keep popping my homeopathic tablets!


Feel free to post any questions or your favorite allergy remedies! 

-Sara