ALLERGY STOPPERS
Allergies can make you feel sneezy, itchy, and stuffy. So you reach for an over-the-counter allergy medication, only to end up feeling dopey.
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Natural remedies, on the other hand, work with your body to ease symptoms and quell inflammation without leaving you feeling drowsy. Here are five holistic approaches—an herbal formula, homeopathic eye drops, a homeopathic formula, a tea, and an old-fashioned home remedy (honey)—all of which contain botanicals and herbal ingredients known to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms caused by pollens, molds, and other common fall allergy triggers—without side effects.
SOLARAY QBC Plex
What’s In It: Quercetin (a flavonoid), bromelain (an enzyme), and vitamin C (an antioxidant).
What It Does: Quercetin acts as a naturalantihistamine and anti-inflammatory; bromelain can decrease swelling of nasal passages to clear breathing; and vitamin C works to boost immunity and reduce inflammation.
How to Take: Take two vegetarian capsules once or twice daily with water between meals.
BOIRON Optique 1 Eye Drops
What’s In It: Homeopathic Cineraria maritime, Euphrasia officinalis, Calendula officinalis, Kali muriaticum, Calcarea fluorica, Magnesia carbonica, Silicea, purified water, and sodium chloride.
What It Does: Soothes red, burning, and irritated eyes; relieves eye dryness associated with smoke or other airborne irritants; alleviates gritty sensation (feeling of sand in the eye); relieves eyestrain and fatigue characterized by flickering light; relieves sharp, flashing eye pain and tired eyes.
How to Take: Snap off one single-use dose. Twist to open. Use 1 to 2 drops in affected eye(s). Repeat 2 to 6 times a day, as needed, or as directed by a doctor.
KING BIO Allergy and Hay Fever Reliever
What’s In It: Allium cepa, Ambrosia artemisiaefolia, Arsenicum album, Arundo muritanica, Arum triphyllum, Euphrasia officinalis, Sabadilla, naphthalinum, Natrum muriaticum, and Wyethia helenioides in a pure water base.
What It Does: Formulated for fast relief of head and nasal congestion; mucus discharges, sneezing, cough, hoarseness, sore throat, red, itchy or watery eyes, sensitivity to light, ears that ring or itch and dry mucous membranes or lips.
How to Take: Hold close to mouth and spray 1 dose directly in mouth 2 to 6 times daily until symptoms improve. Adult dose: 3 pump sprays; Child’s dose (2 to 12 years): 2 pump sprays; Infant dose: 1 pump spray.
ALVITA Nettle Leaf Tea Bags
What’s In It: Nettle leaves.
What It Does: It’s an excellent remedy for allergies and general inflammation.
How to Take: The best way to make a good cup of tea is by the infusion method. Place one tea bag in a cup and add no more than 6 oz of boiling water. Let steep for 3 minutes. Press the bag before removing to enhance flavor. Add honey to sweeten.
YS Pure Premium Wildflower Honey
What’s In It: Wildflower honey.
What It Does: Wildflower honey is made with some of the same pollen spores that can trigger allergies, and is thought to act in a similar manner to allergy shots: By exposing the body to allergens it helps desensitize the body and increase its tolerance to particular allergens, reducing histamine response.
How to Take: Try using 1 tsp. or so as a sweetener for nettle tea for extra allergy protection.