Let’s be real: there are few things less appealing than allergy season. Honestly, it’s much more acceptable to be coughing and sneezing throughout the dreary, winter months — when the weather’s turning warmer (even if the temperature increase has been infinitesimal at best), and the sun is shining for more of the day, it’s hard to find ourselves feeling so foggy and out of sync. Here are a few helpful tips for treating your allergies without any medicine:
- Acidity cuts through mucus. If you’re feeling congested, drink a cup of lukewarm water with the juice from at least half a lemon or lime. Mix in a tablespoon of honey because…
- Honey soothes irritation. If your allergies leave you coughing, or even with a slight tickle in your throat, a touch of honey will be sure to soothe you. If you don’t feel you need the acidity of the lemon or lime, just mix honey into a cup of warm water or tea.
- Dry climates or proximity to salt water will draw the moisture out of your body. You may notice that upon coming back from the shore, your skin feels a little dry – your voice might also be hoarse. I’m not saying don’t go on vacation, but do take precautions. If you know you’re going to be in either kind of climate, drink extra water and avoid allergy medications that you find drying.
- Diuretics dehydrate you. This might seem like common sense, but you may not have thought about it before. While you might crave an iced tea or iced coffee to numb your aching, itching, allergy-ridden throat, these tasty treats will lure out any bit of moisture that you have. Compensate with extra amounts of water, and it won’t be an issue. But don’t rely on frozen, caffeinated treats to fix your allergies!
- Stay hydrated. If you didn’t get it by now, water’s really important to kicking your allergies. Drinking room temperature or cool water will help you take in your recommended amount. Drinking ice water will numb your throat to the sensation that you’re actually thirsty.
- Travel heavy. Don’t have any shame in carrying around a bit of a “mom bag” wherever you go. Take your necessary throat lozenges, allergy medicines, eye drops, tissues, or natural remedies when you go to class, hang out with friends, or go on a trip. Taking care of your allergies as you feel them coming on will be light-years more effective than waiting until you’re too sick to care.
I’m no doctor, but these are a few easy solutions that I’ve acquired through the years and that have worked wonders for me. At the end of the day, allergies are individual-specific, so feel free to alter, add, remove, or change these rules so you can enjoy your spring and summer without your allergies getting in the way!