I have Spring and Fall nasal allergies. I'm also uninsured, and immune to most OTC antihistamines. Even when I've had insurance, I have a habit of building up a tolerance to allergy medications, so I've had to learn to use, and to be careful to maintain, a repertoire of non-drug remedies to soothe and support my system.
PEPPERMINT - I use peppermint for a few things.
First, I like it as a decongestant. A drop or two of peppermint oil in hot water will do. You just breathe in the steam occasionally, and it will temporarily clear your sinuses. Sucking on peppermint candy can also do this. I like altoids, but if you're sensitive to strong smells, it can also make you sneeze a bit first, and the sugar can be irritating, too. Peppermint tea is also available, and works nicely, and unless you're the type to sweeten your tea, it's a good sugar-free source of the peppermint effect.
Second, I like it as a tummy tonic. It helps release trapped gas, and it helps relieve nausea, including the ill effects of sinus drainage going down the throat.
GINGER - Ginger is a natural antihistamine, anti-inflammatory, and anti-nausea medicine. In none of those areas does it have the dramatic effect that drugs used for the same purposes have, but it can be helpful in maintaining a balance in the body's immune responses. Also, if you're like me, and your sinuses drain down your throat while you are sleeping, ginger can be a life-saver in the morning, when your tummy reacts to the load. Ginger tea is good for this, as is real ginger ale. Altoids do come in ginger, but they are hard to find. If you live near a place that carries them, you are lucky! When I can't get those, I use Vernor's Ginger Ale or Traditional Medicinals Ginger tea.
LICORICE ROOT - Real licorice (not anise) helps to open up the smaller airways in the lungs. It's not the kind of effect that would totally counteract symptoms of severe asthma, but it will help a bit if you are feeling deflated because you are too stuffy to breathe. Look for licorice candy that lists licorice root in the ingredients, or states on the front that it is real black licorice. Items which are "naturally flavored" may be flavored with anise, which tastes very similar.
Another benefit: Licorice is a natural sweetener, so no sugar needs to be added to the candy, but it will still satisfy the sweet tooth, so it makes a good sugar free treat!
CAFFEINE - A moderate amount of caffeine can help stimulate your body into taking in more air (opening your airways) and getting oxygen to your brain faster (slightly speeding up your heartbeat.) Even if you do not regularly consume caffeine, a little bit on a bad asthma day can be a life-saver.
Black, unsweetened coffee or unsweetened black tea will give you the best results, depending on your caffeine tolerance. If you aren't a regular coffee drinker, I'd go with a cup of tea, which has less, or a cup of decaf, which has the same amount of caffeine as regular tea.
This is not an excuse to binge on an over-sized 500 calorie latte or those nasty energy sodas! If you are having allergies, you want to avoid too much sugar, and milk can thicken existing mucus. Too much caffeine at once can damage your heart.
SALT AND VINEGAR - I prefer to get mine on potatoes, as in chips or fries, but you can make a gargle/rinse with a tablespoon of white vinegar, a teaspoon of salt, and a cup of warm (105 degree) water. This will help clear allergens out of your mouth and throat. The vinegar will help cut through the mucus build-up to better rinse them out. Add a teaspoon of honey for a more soothing effect. Do not swallow this mix. It can be rough on the tummy and bowels.
CUT DOWN ON MILK AND SUGAR - Normally, I'm a heavy milk drinker. It's my favorite beverage. However, milk thickens mucus. If you have drainage going on, you'll only make it worse by drinking milk. Switch to eating more solid dairy (cheese) for a while and drink water-based beverages instead.
Sugar can cause irritation in the sinuses and mouth, especially if allergies have all ready begun that job. It's best to keep sweet treats, including sodas and juices with sugar added, to a minimum while suffering an allergy flare-up. I have found that some things are worse than others. While you may be able to get away with putting honey in your tea, candy, and especially chocolate, will generally exacerbate an existing nasal allergy flare-up, especially in your throat.
EYE DROPS - On returning home from anywhere outside, if my eyes are irritated, I use a brand of the same kind of eye-wetting "tears" drops which are recommended for contact lens users. I do not have contacts - only glasses - but this helps to eliminate allergens which have come into contact with the conjunctiva (skin of the eye.) This helps to prevent further irritation from those allergens.
COOL COMPRESSES - When my allergies are at their worst, my face gets a fever. I'm not kidding. you could test my internal temperature, and it would be normal... but if you test my eyes, they would absolutely be two or more degrees higher. I get red patches all around them, and across my nose. My eyes itch, burn, and run with tears, and I can't stop sneezing to save my life. If it gets really bad, visible swelling occurs, sometimes to the point at which I cannot open one or both eyes.
When the discomfort becomes so bad that it prevents other activity, I make a cold compress, as for a headache, with ice in a bag wrapped in a damp cloth. That is applied to the eyes and surrounding area for fifteen minutes, then removed for fifteen minutes. I continue as needed with the fifteen on, fifteen off pattern until the swelling and irritation are reduced.
Another trick is to use chipped ice internally. In your blender, chip ice until it is the consistency of a slushie-type beverage or a snow cone. Take a small mouthful, about a teaspoon worth, and use your tongue to press it up against the roof of your mouth right behind/above your front teeth. Hold it there for a few moments before swallowing the liquid, and repeat with another bite. Do this for up to fifteen minutes before letting your mouth rest for fifteen more.
In both cases, the cold suppresses the nerves and the histamine response in and around the nose.
Do not do this if you have dental implants that include metal screws in your upper jaw bone. The screws will get really cold, and that could be painful.
REDNECK SAUNA - if congestion gets bad and asthma symptoms flare up, close yourself in your bathroom, turn your shower on hot-only, and let it steam up the room. Sit in the steam for no more than 20 minutes. Breathe as deeply as you can, and try to cough up any loose phlegm. It's gross, but it will at least temporarily clear out your chest so you can sleep.
EUCALYPTUS RUB - I like Vick's, but have found that drug store brands also work as long as they say eucalyptus oil is an ingredient. The fumes from that will cause the air passages in your sinuses and your lungs to open up. It works the same way as peppermint, only stronger. A good tip is, if you do the redneck sauna mentioned above, do it with Vick's on your chest, or peppermint in your mouth. If you are suffering really bad congestion, mix a small dab of eucalyptus rub with your favorite unscented face lotion and rub a small amount the skin above your upper lip. That will keep your sinuses clear for hours. Be ready to wash it off, though, as some people find it too irritating for sensitive skin.
Traditional Medicinals Breathe Easy Tea.
I love this tea. I use it for allergies, and for colds. Not only does it support lung health, it has ingredients which soothe and help clear the sinuses. I get it in the organic/health nut section of my local grocery. Some whole foods stores, health food stores, and herbal shops also carry it. The Traditional Medicinals brand is one I've been using since my teen years, so I know it works for me. Some of the ingredients (peppermint, licorice, chamomile) may be available as stand alone tea in coffee section of your local grocery, and are also good choices during allergy season.
Sometimes I only have to apply a few remedies, but other times I find myself using most or all of these, depending on the level of allergic response I'm having to the particles in my environment. It may take some experimentation on your part to find which of these works best for you against which symptoms, depending on your circumstances. Regardless, it is always nice to have extra tools in your arsinal to fight the frustrating symptoms of nasal allergy flare-ups.
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