Living where I live, pollen and other allergens seem to be bad all year long. So years ago, I wondered how to cure allergies naturally.
Here’s what I learned in my research with the co-author of this post:
You can naturally cure or eliminate the symptoms of most allergens by using a combination of the herbs butterbur & nettles, ensuring your bedding and other household fabrics are washed regularly, using a neti pot, and also adding things like garlic and turmeric to your diet.
But there’s a lot more to know about treating allergies naturally, whether they can truly be cured permanently and what
Co-authored with health and beauty expert Brigitte Evans of High Style Life, and of course I spent 20+ years working for Whole Foods Market so I know a thing or 2 about natural remedies.
Is there a way to permanently cure allergies?
According to most doctors, the answer is unfortunately no. They will likely tell you to seek allergy shots or take medication on an ongoing basis.
That being said there is an alternative treatment called Nambudripad’s Allergy Elimination Technique which claims to be able to cure allergies.
It’s important to point out, however, that I don’t believe any medical evidence exists to support that claim.
But the National Institutes of Health did conduct a recent study on food allergies and the impact that Dr. Devi Nambudripad’s techniques had on them.
They concluded that “This case report highlights the possible benefit of NAET for children with food allergy. Considering the burden of food allergy, especially to young children, randomized clinical trials should be encouraged to study the effectiveness of NAET in treating food allergy.”
But even that aside, there are extensive studies to support all of the natural remedies and treatments we get into below, and many from really credible medical sources such as WebMD, the National Institutes of Health, and several respected medical journals.
So what are the . . .
13 Proven Ways of How to Cure Allergies Naturally You’ll Love?
Let’s take a look at some of the most annoying and common symptoms and how to cure allergies naturally. Most importantly, we’ll do it without overburdening your body with chemicals.
1. How does stress affect allergies?
We all have our stress triggers. Those segments of our lives that are most affected by negative emotions.
These tend to build up and become a chronic issue. But when we let our negativity fester, it’s impossible for our immune system to function optimally when flooded with cortisol.
Cortisol is a hormone that gets released into our body under stress.
A recent study by Dartmouth University shows just how damaging cortisol and stress can be to our immune system.
A compromised immune system wreaks havoc on our already aggravated allergies.
Arm yourself with patience, because this will not show results immediately. But it will make a huge difference in the long-run.
Meditation has shown great results. Regular physical activity, ditching those vices such as smoking and alcohol, can also improve your life and stress tolerance.
What about getting a furry companion?
Cuddling with a cat or dog balances your hormones; but only if you’re not allergic to pet dander. In that case, you might want to stick to yoga and spending time in nature – that also has a profound impact on your well-being.
One of the best ways of managing stress that requires little time and no purchasing of anything is adopting a regular breathing practice.
Personally what I do is the same kind of breathing typically done in most yoga classes. Want to learn all the Benefits of Yogic Breathing? Just click to link to read my article!
2. How can I allergy proof my bedroom?
The rule of thumb is that we need to wash our sheets every week.
But if your immune system is extra sensitive, and your home has been exposed to higher amounts of allergy triggers, then don’t wait those seven days; sooner is better.
Consider using dust-mite resistant pillowcases and mattress covers, to reduce your exposure as much as possible. Just click either link to see the best options available on Amazon Prime.
Also, to further allergy-proof your bedroom, avoid using heavy rugs and curtains in its décor.
These items tend to attract dust and get very dirty very quickly. As for your mattress, make sure it’s cleaned regularly.
Also, do your best to expose your room, the clothes you sleep in and your bedding to direct sunlight as much as possible.
Regular vacuuming, dusting and fresh air will also help you sleep better and reduce those pesky symptoms.
Recover from Your Day, Every Night
Make sure you are sleeping on the best mattress since we know pollens and other toxins can live in our bedding.
Bear Mattress has been named the “Best Mattress for Athletes” by Sports Illustrated, Business Insider rated it the “Best Mattress for Back Pain” and Esquire named it the “Best Mattress for Hot Sleepers”.
Come see what the fuss is all about. 100-night sleep trial – if you don’t love it, they’ll come to pick it up for a full refund.
Great prices all year, but they often have jaw-dropping sales throughout the year too. Check out all the options at Bear Mattress (click to see their award-winning mattresses on their site).
3. Do air purifiers work for allergies?
The outdoor air is riddled with toxins and pollutants.
This is especially true if you live in an urban area, and are surrounded by heavy traffic. Simply airing your home won’t do you much good if you’re just letting in more allergens.
With all the fresh oxygen come the airborne irritants, and you need a system to cleanse your indoor air properly.
To that end, choose the best air purifier for allergies that uses high-quality HEPA filters that will remove all the pollutants, and quietly so, in order not to disrupt your sleep.
You can also introduce various houseplants that are known to increase oxygen levels and reduce indoor pollution.
Some low-maintenance plants such as Spider Plant, Fern or Peace Lily will not only make your home look more serene, but also aid in cleaning the air in your home.
4. Dietary changes may bring relief!
Certain foods can exasperate your allergic reactions, so it’s wise to take a look at your diet.
You can also take a test to determine which foods you’re most sensitive too (if not even allergic). But some common munchies tend to increase inflammation no matter your tolerance to them.
For instance, highly processed foods, sugar, caffeine, tobacco, many dairy products, and soy are highly inflammatory.
You can also enjoy probiotic-packed goods, including kefir and kombucha, and include plenty of fresh veggies, especially leafy greens, and lean protein sources. Learning how to cure allergies naturally has to include at least some minor dietary changes.
In addition, cutting back on red meat may help also.
In fact, though, a recent study by the National Institutes of Health found that people with high levels of trans oleic acid in their systems (which is largely found in red meat and dairy) were 3 times more likely to suffer from hay fever.
5. What herbs cure allergies?
Some raw foods and supplements are particularly helpful when it comes to preventing severe allergic reactions.
They help with sneezing, coughing, and they can even help reduce allergy-induced asthma.
We get specifically into Butterbur and Nettle leaf below, but in addition, some of the following herbs have been proven to have significant results helping manage allergy symptoms:
- Garlic (fresh cloves, not powder) – Garlic has a wealth of health benefits, but has been proven to provide anti-inflamatory properties, enhance immune systems, and has an anti-histamine reaction.
- Rosemary – In a recent study, The Journal of Restorative Medicine found that rosemary is “a valuable tool in the treatment of allergic conditions, especially respiratory allergies”
- Turmeric – You can find turmeric root (looks like ginger) in some markets, but turmeric powder is widely available and is a staple in Indian cuisine. The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found in a recent study that curcumin (the active property in turmeric) was “improving nasal airflow and modulating immune response in patients with AR (allergic rhinitis).
The good news is those 3 are easy to find, and can easily be added to many meals, so it can be very easy to just make them part of your regular weekly meals.
6. Can acupuncture help with allergies?
If you’re afraid of needles, this will be a two-in-one solution for your troubles!
Acupuncture has an amazing potential to both reduce stress, balance your hormones and aid in reducing allergic reactions over time.
And no, it’s not painful at all! It’s a great addition to all the how to cure allergies naturally tips!
Acupuncture uses needles to target specific points in your body. The needles penetrate just below the skin, and acupuncture is already being used as a treatment for many types of chronic pain.
According to a recent study by the Annals of Internal Medicine, “Acupuncture led to statistically significant improvements” in treating treat seasonal allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergies).
All major cities likely have many choices for providers in your area. And many will be covered by health insurance.
Check with your insurance provider regarding coverage and network compatibility. But even if you just pay out of pocket, the relief can be worth its weight in gold.
Need help finding a practitioner? Simple consult the Directory from NCCAOM.
7. Can Apple cider vinegar cure allergies?
Many people swear by apple cider vinegar for all kinds of ailments.
To be effective look for Bragg’s Organic Raw & Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (click to check current prices on Amazon). You can take a swig every morning, gargle with it or just use as a salad dressing for a more palatable use.
ACV is also great as a base for what is called Master Tonic. Master Tonic is essentially a fermented tonic elixir often brewed in conjunction with fresh ginger, turmeric, and other healthful vegetables and herbs.
My personal favorite is True Tonic by D Chi Kitchens. They’re local to me (Jeff) in the Austin, TX area but you can order online as well.
As they say on their website:
“For centuries, and in some cases millennia, healers have used natural foods to promote health, well-being, and balance in our daily lives. D Chi Kitchens has recreated an all-natural tonic based on the healthy properties found in these well- known ingredients. We use only the highest-quality ingredients to ensure a pure and effective tonic that can be used daily or as a booster when your body is under stress from colds, allergies, or simply the stresses of daily life”
8. Can a neti pot help with allergies?
I swear by my neti pot.
There are many times throughout the year where I just use it preventatively each morning. But when my allergies are under attack, it’s not uncommon for me to use it twice a day.
There are some fancy battery powered ones, but for me, I like the simplicity of the basic Ceramic Neti Pot (click to see current prices on Amazon Prime). Great price, free Prime shipping and hundreds of awesome reviews too.
If you aren’t familiar with nettie pots, you pour warm water into your nettie combined with sea salt and mix.
You turn your head sideways over a sink and gently pour into the top nostril. The water and salt solution goes through your sinuses and back out the other nostril providing instant sinus relief!
Personally I boil my water first to ensure it’s pure and then let it cool enough to go through my passages. But you could also buy distilled water too. I would personally not just use tap water due to possible bacterial concerns and the delicate nature of the sinus passages.
Want the best neti pot salt on Amazon? It’s Himalayan Chandra’s Neti Pot Salt (click to check current Amazon Price). 99.99% pure, almost 5 star reviews and hundreds of them, and certified Kosher.
9. Does local honey help allergies?
Local honey is rich in the very same pollen you’re suffering from.
The reason is that the bees are pollinating whatever is around their hive. So when you choose local honey that’s from a nearby area, it will have the same pollens in it you’re breathing.
Thus it acts as a natural vaccine; building up your resilience to the specific allergens in your area.
While it’s true that there’s no way to know for sure what plants the bees pollinated, the closer the honey company is to where you live, the greater the likelihood that the pollen is, in fact, what’s in your air.
Not sure where to find local honey? Your local Whole Foods Market, health food stores or farmers markets should have lots of options.
10. Can spirulina cure allergies?
Spirulina, the protein-rich algae is an amazing supplement you can use in your smoothies, or take it in pill form.
A recent study by the National Institutes of Health found called spirulina great as an “anti-inflammatory” and they go on to say that “Spirulina activates cellular antioxidant enzymes, inhibits lipid peroxidation and DNA damage, (and) scavenges free radicals”.
But numerous other studies mentioned by Medical News Today have linked spiralina to having positive impacts on:
- diabetes
- Improved gut health
- Healthy weight management
- Improved cholesterol
So consider adding spirulina to your diet for a variety of great reasons!
Pure Hawaiian Spirulina Tablets (click to check current prices on Amazon) is an Amazon’s Choice product, has thousands of nearly 5-star reviews, is vegan and non-GMO as well.
But if you’d rather have a powder to add to smoothies or sprinkle on other foods, Micro Ingredients Pure Organic Spirulina Powder (click to check current Amazon price) is the way to go!
It too has almost 5 stars, hundreds, of reviews, and is also an Amazon’s Choice product.
11. What tea is good for allergies?
Nettle leaves are incredibly potent when it comes to regulating your allergies, so drinking nettle tea on a daily basis is recommended.
It works as an anti-inflammatory which effectively reduces the swelling in your nasal passages. But, according to WebMD, has also been associated with providing “relief of symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes”.
Want one of the best Nettle Teas on Amazon? Traditional Medicinals Organic Nettle Leaf Tea (click to check current Amazon price) has hundreds of reviews, almost 5 stars and is at a rock bottom price!
12. Does butterbur help allergies?
Butterbur is made from a flowering plant which has been used for thousands of years to a variety of health ailments.
According to Professor David Rakel, MD, of the University of New Mexico School of Medicine, Butterbur capsules have the BEST track record of all herbal supplements in helping maintain and regulate a healthy pollen tolerance.
Rakel goes on to say “Butterbur is the Singulair of the herbal world, I think of all the allergy supplements, it has the best evidence behind it.”
WebMD claims that Butterbur may be just as effective in treating allergy symptoms as Allegra or Zyrtec. If you are looking for the 1 thing to try in learning how to cure allergies naturally, this could be it!
The Reviews on WebMD also support that many are finding Butterbur effective in managing allergy symptoms.
Want the best Butterbur Capsules on Amazon? Vitanica Butterbur Extra (click to see current price on Amazon) has almost 5 stars, 0 1-star reviews (unlike many others), and also contains ginger and feverfew both of which help promote lower levels of inflammation and headache support.
13. Make sure to change your car’s cabin air filter regularly too
Many of us know to change our home air filters regularly.
But how many of us remember to change our car’s cabin air filter regularly? Like our home, our car’s cabin air filter cleans the air from the outside before it comes through your blowers, filtering out dust, pollen, and other pollutants.
Cabin filters are usually inexpensive and easy to change by ourselves. Find your Cabin Air Filter on Amazon (click to go to the cabin filter search page on Amazon) today!
Can Allergies Be Cured?
The short answer is sometimes.
Allergies in children will often go away on their own as they get older. Conversely, adults may sometimes suddenly become sensitive to allergens when they weren’t before.
Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an allergist based in New York City. He’s also been a featured guest on almost every major news organization in the United States.
Dr. Bassett claims “In general, as kids get older they can grow out of allergies.” He goes on to say, however, “But there’s a whole world where, for millions of people, that’s not the case. Some people even grow into allergies. Mature adults, even in their fifties and eighties, come into my office with a variety of allergies.”
But by following some, or all of the steps in this article, you can certainly manage the symptoms of seasonal allergies such that they have little to no effect on you throughout the year.
Did I cover all you wanted to know about how to cure allergies naturally?
In this post, we took an in-depth look into the world of allergens.
We explored all the possible things people have allergic reactions to. We also looked at some solutions to help keep allergy symptoms at bay.
Ultimately we presented the most effective and proven methods on how to cure allergies naturally. That way you can get the relief you need when you need it.
About the co-author of this post:
Brigitte Evans, is a Cosmetic Skin Care Consultant and a writer from Australia, with a sweet tooth for candy and everything sparkly. When she is not drooling over the next big thing in the beauty industry, she reads mystery novels and makes plans for her next trip. She is the proud aunt of Sophie, age 3, who has rounded her Chanel lipstick, but she loves her anyway.
Want to write for Middle Class Dad? Get all the info you need here: Guest Blog for Middle Class Dad!
