Wednesday, September 1st, 2010
This is a re-post from two years ago. I added the helpful gif below for your edification and amusement.
I’ve always been annoyed that at this beautiful time of the year, just when the air cools, I unfortunately also start to sneeze and itch from airborne allergies. On general principals I avoid taking man-made chemicals into my body, without absolute need. Many antihistamines cause drowsiness and slow reaction times. There is also some concern that they act in a way similar to other chemicals that have been shown to promote cancerous tumor growth. So here are a few things I’ve found that help me deal with my pollen allergies without antihistamines.
First, splash water in your face. It gets the pollen out of your eyebrows and eyelashes. If possible take a damp washcloth and rub it through your hair. This really helps. Do this as soon as you come in from outdoors. The less continuous exposure you have to the pollen the less your body will react to it.
Second, gargle with a 1:3 mixture of water and hydrogen peroxide (one part peroxide, Three parts water). Make sure you let your head go back as far as you can to let the solution get to where your nose enters your throat. This will instantly eliminate that annoying throat itch. Don’t swallow. Plain water will also give some relief, but the peroxide solution works best. Full strength peroxide U.S.P. 3% may irritate your throat. These are my own personal observations, I have no references to site for this.
Use a neti pot to rinse out your nostrils, once in the morning and once at night. Use warm salt water. This helps a lot with congestion and further reduces your body’s contact with the pollen. A neti pot isn’t as difficult or unpleasant to use as you might fear, though it is a bit too messy to do away from your own bathroom sink.
Tell me your favorite natural remedy for pollen allergies in the comments. I’ve used homeopathic remedies with some success in the past, but I find the methods listed above to be more reliable.
Filed under: Photos , Health by gamma
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQm7YpxgOnA
That video accurately shows how messy it is, but the guy is an idiot for putting liquor in it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQm7YpxgOnA
That video accurately shows how messy it is, but the guy is an idiot for putting liquor in it.
I Love my neti pot! I use it every morningI I use a combination of epson salt and vitamin C powder with warm water. Sometimes I use zinc tincture, but only if I’m ill. I swear by it…don’t know how I use to breathe without it.
That regimen sounds intense, bezmyaso. I’ve only bathed in Epsom salts. It sounds scary to me. I imagine your solution is fairly dilute. Could you give proportions? Is your C powder buffered?
I’ve had success with zinc lozenges. It makes sense that infusing the nasal passages would help at cold onset. Thanks.
Update: I did some research: Epsom Salt is mentioned on several neti pot sites. But it is a laxative if consumed. The FAQ linked below claims that Epsom salt is all the same, even in bulk from your home center, but I’m sure someone, somewhere is selling some pure organic crystals. I’ll give it a try.
An Epsom Salt FAQ
I Love my neti pot! I use it every morningI I use a combination of epson salt and vitamin C powder with warm water. Sometimes I use zinc tincture, but only if I’m ill. I swear by it…don’t know how I use to breathe without it.
That regimen sounds intense, bezmyaso. I’ve only bathed in Epsom salts. It sounds scary to me. I imagine your solution is fairly dilute. Could you give proportions? Is your C powder buffered?
I’ve had success with zinc lozenges. It makes sense that infusing the nasal passages would help at cold onset. Thanks.
Update: I did some research: Epsom Salt is mentioned on several neti pot sites. But it is a laxative if consumed. The FAQ linked below claims that Epsom salt is all the same, even in bulk from your home center, but I’m sure someone, somewhere is selling some pure organic crystals. I’ll give it a try.
An Epsom Salt FAQ