Mom’s Winter Allergy Remedies

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and soon, winter will arrive. Most of us associate this time of the year with the holidays and being indoors. It could be a cozy, fun, and pleasant experience, but there are those of us who will literally get sick because of winter allergies. Healthline’s article said that this is essentially an indoor-type allergy that’s generally caused by one or a combination of dust particles, dust mites, pet dander, mold, or cockroach droppings. Here are some effective home remedies you can try straight from the collective wisdom of loving moms around the world.

Spic and Span

Due to the causes of winter allergies, it goes without saying that maintaining a clean house is crucial in order to avoid an allergic reaction. So before the cold weather limits outdoor activities, make sure to clean and sanitize every nook and cranny. Make sure that you thoroughly wash your sheets and bedding in hot water every week to kill dust mites. Also, try to steam clean the beds if possible. Regularly remove dust from surfaces, preferably using a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Check for molds in the dark, damp spots of your house like the basement and restrooms, and scrub it all away as well as fix any leaks. As molds thrive in humidity, it’s also ideal to control your house’s humidity level to about 50% to avoid their growth. Bathe your pets once a week and keep away from the room of the person with an allergy.

Eat your Fruits and Veggies

A study from 2018 published in the Journal of International Medical Research said that a deficiency in vitamin C may lead to allergy-related diseases, and increasing our body’s supply helps reduce allergy symptoms. This is because vitamin C is a natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that also helps our immune system. Another study from 2016 published in the National Library of Medicine about Quercetin ( an antioxidant flavonoid found in many plants and foods) also helps in preventing allergic reactions through, among other things, the stimulation of the immune system. So keep that in mind and load up on citrus fruits and vegetables like bell peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, and winter squash.

Essential Oils

Remember those different essential oils that your granny put on her forehead, skin, tummy, or other body parts that are supposed to have some beneficial and/or medicinal effect? The claims of those products may not be entirely accurate, but some of them actually help in allergies. A 1998 study from the European Journal of Medical Research showed that peppermint oil has enough anti-inflammatory effects to symptoms of bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis, and a different 2016 research published in Hindawi.com showed that Frankincense oil also helps in allergies. Both can be used with a diffuser or applied topically together with a carrier oil.

Other home remedies include using honey, black tea, and probiotics. You are welcome to try whatever suits you, but always remember that if your allergy worsens, consulting a doctor is always a safe bet.