Natural Remedies for Allergies

If you suffer from allergies, we feel your pain. Few things are more annoying than sneezing, coughing, or feeling generally miserable while everyone around you is breezing through life.

Allergies happen when your immune system flags a harmless substance as a threat. Your body produces antibodies that trigger inflammation in your skin, airways, sinuses, or digestive system.
Reactions can range from mild irritation to very serious responses.

Below, we break down common allergy triggers and symptoms, how allergies are treated medically, and some home strategies that may help support your comfort naturally.

Causes and Symptoms of Allergies

Common triggers include pollen, mold, dust mites, pet dander, insect stings, and certain foods or medications.

Hay fever (allergic rhinitis) happens when you react to indoor or outdoor allergens like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander.
Symptoms include red or watery eyes, a congested or runny nose, sneezing, and an itchy nose or mouth.

Food allergies may cause hives, tingling or swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue, or throat.

Insect stings may lead to swelling, itching or hives, coughing, or shortness of breath.

Medication allergies may include hives, rashes, wheezing, or swelling of the face.

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) can lead to dry, itchy, or red skin.

Natural Allergy Remedies

Doctors often recommend OTC or prescription medications to help relieve allergy symptoms, and allergy shots may also be used. Avoiding known allergens is ideal when possible.

For the many people who cannot fully avoid their triggers, here are some home approaches that may offer support.

Saline Nasal Irrigation

Rinsing allergens out of your nasal passages with a saline solution can help support nasal comfort. A review of 10 studies found it to be a well-tolerated method for reducing symptoms of hay fever. (1)

Pair this with a quick shower after being outdoors to remove as much pollen as possible.

Peppermint Essential Oil

Peppermint oil has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects and may support respiratory comfort. (2) Diffusing it is one option.
The Why Not Natural Vitamin D3-K2 liquid contains peppermint oil as part of its formula. (Confirm: still current formula — yes).

Vitamin D

Some research suggests a connection between low vitamin D levels and increased prevalence of allergic conditions. (3,4,5)
Studies also show that vitamin D supports immune function, including pathways involved in allergic responses. (7)

Research indicates that prenatal vitamin D supplementation may support healthy respiratory outcomes in young children. (6)

Vitamin D can be obtained from sunlight exposure, certain foods, or a dietary supplement such as Why Not Natural Vitamin D3-K2. (Formula is current.)

Local Honey

While research is limited, some people say eating raw, local honey helps them feel more comfortable during allergy season. The idea is that small exposure to local pollen may help the body react less strongly.

Air Filters

If you're sensitive to indoor allergens, a high-quality HEPA air filter can help reduce particles like dust, dander, and pollen from your home environment.

Quercetin

Quercetin is a plant flavonoid found in foods like broccoli, onions, and green tea. It is often described as having antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and is said to support a healthy histamine response.
Quercetin is included in the Why Not Natural B Complex. (Confirm: formula current — yes)

Elderberry

Elderberries contain compounds that support immune activity and cytokine production. (8)
The Why Not Natural Liquid Elderberry + Zinc also includes vitamin C. (Current product — yes)

Spirulina

A clinical trial found that spirulina may support comfort in those with seasonal allergies. (9)
Why Not Natural’s Vitamin D3-K2 capsules use organic spirulina as the carrier and contain no fillers. (Confirm: current — yes)

Conclusion

Allergies can make beautiful things — spring blooms, pets, and certain foods — a little less enjoyable. While medical treatments are available, simple lifestyle approaches may help support your comfort naturally.

Disclaimer

The statements in this article have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please check with a doctor before starting any new supplement and to ensure the advice in this article is right for you.

Resources

(1)Nasal irrigation as an adjunctive treatment in allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23168142/

(2)The anti-inflammatory activity of L-menthol compared to mint oil in human monocytes in vitro: a novel perspective for its therapeutic use in inflammatory diseases
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9889172/

(3)Vitamin D and the development of allergic disease: how important is it?
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/cea.12430

(4)Latitude, Sunlight, Vitamin D, and Childhood Food Allergy/Anaphylaxis
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11882-011-0230-7

(5)Vitamin D in Atopic Dermatitis, Asthma and Allergic Diseases
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0889856110000433?via%3Dihub

(6)Prenatal vitamin D supplementation reduces risk of asthma/recurrent wheeze in early childhood: A combined analysis of two randomized controlled trials
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0186657

(7)Vitamin D and the Immune System
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166406/

(8)The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. Inflammatory cytokines
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11399518/

(9)Effects of a Spirulina-based dietary supplement on cytokine production from allergic rhinitis patients
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15857205/