Dealing with Allergies Naturally

The flowers and leafy trees are finally here! However, for some people the growing green means the arrival of allergy season.

Two herbs that are wonderful for dealing with the symptoms of allergies are Nettle and Goldenrod. Nettle is a super plant which many mistakenly just view as a common weed with a bit of a bite because of its stingers. Nettle helps you deal with allergies, nourishes your kidneys, helps with arthritis, provides tons of vitamins, minerals, and chlorophyll to your body, and is even a source of protein. It's a wonder herb that is super nourishing. When I drink a cup of nettle tea I feel as though every cell in my body is just being rejuvenated. I most enjoy taking the dried leaves of nettles as a tea.

Goldenrod is a beautiful herb that grows everywhere where there might be a decent plot of dirt. Goldenrod tends to bloom at the same time as ragweed so there is a false belief that goldenrod is partially responsible for hay fever. However, it is just the opposite. Goldenrod is a wonderful herb that helps deal with symptoms of allergies and helps balance any other upper respiratory issues.

A number of other herbs might be helpful for the symptoms of allergies. Osha root taken as a tincture is one of my favorites to clear out congestion. Eyebright could help with itchy eyes. Just prepare a tea and then use the tea as an eyewash.

Incorporating raw local honey into your diet also helps you deal with allergies. By eating local raw honey you are bringing into your body all the naturally occurring pollens in your environment in a way that allows your body to acclimate. Bee pollen is also helpful, either sprinkled into a smoothie or food or taken as a capsule.

Allergies also mean that your immune system is in overdrive, treating particles in the environment like attackers. It is important to nourish and revive your immune system during allergy season to ensure you don't tucker it out! Reishi, Maitake, and Shiitake are all wonderful mushrooms that will nourish the immune system and also have some anti-inflammatory properties, so they will also alleviate some allergy symptoms. Astragalus root is another powerful immune system helper. Mushrooms are easy to include in your diet either by directly adding them to dishes or by using them to make a soup stock.. If you buy mushrooms dehydrated they are much cheaper. You can also take medicinal mushrooms and astragalus as a tincture. The medicinal mushrooms can also be purchased as a powder to sprinkle in your food or smoothies.

Finally, make sure to take care of yourself. Use a neti pot frequently. Avoid foods that cause mucus build up, such as dairy, wheat, and meat. Eat lots of vegetables and drink lots of water to flush your body.

Allergies can create a bit of a war between ourselves and the beautiful world we are living in. The outdoors with all of its greenery and wild growth becomes an enemy that must be either suffered or conquered. What better way to create a bridge into the natural world than by incorporating natural healing into your path.