With the sun shining and the flowers opening up again, people are celebrating and heading outside. But, if you are one of the millions of allergy sufferers in the country, it’s the beginning of a battle as well. The best first move in this fight is to contact an allergy specialist in your area. Finding out your exact allergens, and what medications will help most, will put you in control of your situation.
But, beyond the important advice, you will get from your physician, there are measures you can take to keep your body working against an attack. Food is more than fuel, it can also help us raise our defenses. Here are three natural ingredients to add to your diet, and boost your body’s defenses against allergies.
- Local Honey
Ingesting local honey has long been touted as a home remedy for seasonal allergies. The rationale behind it is that the bees around you are working with the same plants that are causing you problems. The honey they make, therefore, may have curative properties. While this has been debated in years past, a recent study found exciting results backing up this assertion. So head out to your local apiary or farmer’s market and try it out for yourself. A lot of chain supermarkets also offer specialty aisles with items like local honey for sale. Honey is great in teas, baked goods, and as a topping for cereal or ice cream.
- Bee Pollen
Comparing honey and this ingredient, you will see that bee pollen has a similar source and a similar explanation behind its benefits against allergies. This magical powder, though, has been proven to pack even more of a punch than honey. Besides fighting inflammation, in the nose and elsewhere, bee pollen also has microbial properties. Counteracting everything from E. Coli. to Staph infections, this is a powerful ingredient to add to your daily routine. As it is a little bitter and powdery, most like to use it in yogurts, juices, or smoothies.
- Ginger
This is a natural anti-inflammatory agent. This means it gets to work on all the inflamed passages you are dealing with this season. Your swollen eyes, your constricted nasal passage, and your packed sinuses will be targeted by the consumption of this spicy, flavorful root. A great way to include ginger is by bringing a big fresh chunk of it home with you. Using a cheese grater, or a knife to cut it into small pieces, you can add ginger to hot teas, Asian and Indian soups, and stews and vegetable medleys.
- Black Seed Oil
Made from Nigella Sativa, black seed oil has been found to relieve a variety of allergy symptoms, including headaches, congestion, and more. This is more of a supplement, as it is not a popular ingredient for food. It’s easy to find at any health food store, though, and available in oil and liquid form.
In general, it's a great approach to keep enjoying any recipes with antioxidants and vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables. The more good, raw, whole foods you eat, the more your diet will be your ally in your fight against allergies.