It’s allergy season, and we’re giving you a list of tried-and-true options for natural relief from spring allergies!

Flowers are starting to peek out of the ground, the air is warmer and the sun is setting later… can you feel it? Spring is officially in full swing. But with the vibrant green grass and those gorgeous blooming tulips also comes pollen, meaning spring allergies.

If you’re anything like me, they hit hard! Every year, I go through the symptoms of:

• Itchy eyes
• A scratchy throat
• A dry cough
• Sinus pressure
• Feeling exhausted

No fun whatsoever. In fact, sometimes, the exhaustion and pressure alone would have me in bed the entire day, trying my hardest to sleep it all away. Like if it was a bad dream.

As soon as March rolled around, I immediately stocked my cupboards with Flonase, Claritin, Zyrtec… you name it, I had it. Drawers full of cough drops and throat sprays. I was ready!

But guess what? Every single year, I felt like I was just surviving. Like I was only getting through it with these meds, not really finding relief. And every year, it felt like I needed a higher dosage to keep it under control.

What if these medications weren’t actually helping me?

The Truth Behind Spring Allergy Meds

I realized my spring allergies were getting worse with each passing year. So, I did a little digging to find out if anyone else was experiencing this.

BTW, if we haven’t met yet — I’m Lindsey. Natural-lovin’, holistic-livin’, avid-baker, elderberry-crazed wife and momma to five boys.

My journey in holistic health started when I crafted my first jar of Organic Elderberry Syrup. My family was sick all the flippin’ time, and I was fed up. So, I whipped up my very own homemade recipe and was absolutely floored by the results. No more missed vacations, hangouts or soccer games. 

Our entire family is rarely sick, and when we do catch something occasionally, we up our dosage of elderberry syrup and kick it fast.

I love my syrup so much that I infuse it into many of our everyday recipes. Like breakfast this morning — sheet pan pancakes with elderberry maple syrup. (It’s ok if you’re craving this now, here’s the recipe.)

Since then, I’ve learned as much as possible about living naturally and allowing the incredible healing powers around us to infuse our lives.

So why in the world was I still taking over-the-counter allergy meds? I knew I had to find a natural solution when my symptoms were getting worse with absolutely no relief. 

Plus, did you know that the FDA panel has agreed that the popular ingredient, phenylephrine, found in many over-the-counter allergy meds like Benadryl, Sudafed and Vicks Sinex doesn’t work?

It’s true! Read more about it here.

Alright, let’s dig into what classifies as seasonal allergies.

What Are Seasonal Allergies?

Seasonal allergies, also called hay fever or allergic rhinitis, are an immune response to an exposure. Your immune system sees these allergens as dangerous. Then, your body creates antibodies to fight them. These antibodies develop histamines that result in your allergy symptoms. 

Common seasonal allergy symptoms include:

• Sneezing
• Coughing
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Itchy sinuses and throat
• Headache
• Dizziness, light-headedness
• Itchy and watery eyes
• Coughing

If you’re experiencing these seasonal allergy symptoms, hold off a second before grabbing that bottle of Zyrtec. Instead, see below how traditional allergy meds affect your body and overall health.

The Slew of Side Effects From Traditional Allergy Meds

​​Let's get into the truth about allergy medications and why they might not be the best long-term solution for your health.

Those over-the-counter allergy meds may offer temporary relief. But they often come with a slew of side effects that can actually exacerbate your symptoms in the long run. 

Here's the lowdown on how they affect your body:

Masking Symptoms

One of the biggest issues with traditional allergy medications is that they simply mask your symptoms without addressing the root cause of your allergies. While you might feel better temporarily, your body still reacts to the allergens, leading to a vicious cycle of continued discomfort.

Drying Out

Many allergy medications, particularly antihistamines, can dry out your nasal passages and throat, leading to further irritation and discomfort. This can exacerbate symptoms like a scratchy throat and dry cough, making you feel even more miserable.

Dependency

Over time, your body can become dependent on these medications to manage your allergy symptoms. This means that you may constantly increase your doses to achieve the same level of relief. This leads to potential long-term health issues and medication dependency.

Negative Side Effects

From drowsiness and dizziness to nausea and headaches, allergy medications can come with a laundry list of unpleasant side effects that can impact your daily life and overall well-being.

Suppressed Immune Response

Perhaps most concerning of all, long-term use of allergy medications can actually suppress your immune response, making you more susceptible to infections and other illnesses. Instead of building up your body's natural defenses, these medications can weaken your immune system over time.

So, what's the alternative? Natural relief options that not only provide relief from allergy symptoms but also support your body's overall health and immune function. 

What Relieves Spring Allergies Naturally?

I hope you’re leaning toward natural relief this spring, and if you are — here are six natural solutions to help you combat those nasty seasonal allergy symptoms:

1. Local Honey

Consuming local honey can help desensitize your body to pollen and other allergens, reducing your allergic response over time. Plus, it's a delicious addition to your morning tea or toast! (Try my honey-baked pears recipe here, soooo good!)

2. Neti Pot

Using a neti pot to rinse your nasal passages with saline solution can help clear out allergens and mucus. It also provides relief from congestion and sinus pressure.

3. Quercetin

This natural antihistamine found in foods like onions, apples and berries can help reduce inflammation and histamine response in the body, alleviating allergy symptoms.

4. Essential Oils

There are several ways you can use essential oils to relieve allergy symptoms. Try diffusing or simply smelling an open bottle of peppermint, lavender, eucalyptus, and thieves oil. 

My favorite way is to use essential oil rollers topically. My carefully crafted roller blends can help build your immune system and ease those nasty headaches that can creep up during allergy season. Explore my rollers here.

5. Staying Hydrated 

You know how important water is for your body and overall health. So, it should be no surprise that water can also combat seasonal allergies. Water works wonders by flushing out toxins and impurities. It makes sense that if you’re washing your body of internal irritants, you’ll experience fewer symptoms. 

6. Organic Elderberry Syrup

Ah, my beloved elderberry syrup! Packed with immune-boosting antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, a daily dose of elderberry syrup can help strengthen your immune system and reduce the severity of allergy symptoms. Plus, it's delicious and easy to incorporate into your daily routine.

By opting for natural relief options like these, you can find relief from your allergy symptoms and support your body's long-term health and immune function. Let’s look at how.

The Benefits of Choosing Natural Spring Allergies Remedies

Choosing natural remedies for spring allergies offers a plethora of benefits for your health and well-being. Here are some of the key advantages:

Gentle on the Body: Natural remedies typically have fewer side effects compared to over-the-counter medications. This makes them gentler on your body and less likely to cause adverse reactions such as drowsiness or dizziness.

Addresses Root Cause: Unlike conventional allergy medications that often only mask symptoms, natural remedies address the root cause of allergies. This helps reduce inflammation and support your body's natural ability to fight off allergens.

Supports Immune Function: Many natural remedies, such as elderberry syrup and quercetin, contain immune-boosting properties. These alleviate allergy symptoms and strengthen your immune system, helping your body better defend against allergens.

Long-Term Relief: By addressing the underlying factors contributing to your allergies, natural remedies can provide long-term relief rather than just temporary alleviation. This means you may experience fewer and milder allergy symptoms over time.

Holistic Approach: Natural remedies often take a holistic approach to health, considering the interconnectedness of the body and mind. This approach can improve overall well-being beyond just allergy relief, promoting balance and vitality throughout your body.

Try Holistic Spring Allergies Remedies This Season!

Overall, embracing natural remedies for spring allergy relief provides effective symptom management and promotes holistic health and wellness. This allows you to enjoy the season to the fullest without the burden of bothersome allergy symptoms.

So say goodbye to those over-the-counter meds and hello to a happier, healthier allergy season!

💜 Oh, and don’t forget to grab your Organic Elderberry Syrup here so you’re ready for anything — especially spring allergies!