Spring is springing! And with it… pollen.
I can attest to this because we went biking on the Swamp Rabbit Trail this weekend and my sneezes started to kick up. I could also feel a little congestion in my ears that reminded me that with the gorgeous sunshine and warm weather comes blooming trees, flowers, and grasses.
But you know who wasn’t sneezing? And even more importantly so, who didn’t have itchy eyes? H! Halleluiah.
See all my allergy season picks in one spot!
I’ve shared our history with seasonal allergies before but for the sake of ease, I’ll share the brief version again.
I’ve had seasonal allergies for years. Anyone been around long enough to remember when I used those super attractive nose filter stickers while pregnant? I would do all the regular recommendations- showers at night, saline nasal rinse, medicine when needed, etc, and just tough it out for the most part.
Then a few years ago H started getting bad spring allergies- so bad that her poor eyes were itchy, red, and swollen. I remember her having to lie on the couch with a cold rag across her face and it just broke my heart. So I went it search of help at the local allergist office.
After all the testing, allergy shots were recommended, so we in a show of solidarity, I decided to get them, too. We went multiple times a week while our immunity build up and slowly tapered off and… they worked like a charm!! We were so thrilled that we didn’t need any allergy medication and we felt great when everything went into bloom.
Fast forward to our move. We joined a new allergy clinic and they had to mix new serums for us. We had to build up again but we did it, driving 45 minutes one way to get the shots. We did this for months, only to realize that the new blend wasn’t working for either one of us. Between the drive, the cost (no longer covered by insurance), and the lack of efficacy, we stopped.
Instead I reached out to a naturopath for H. We had a virtual appointment and followed up a few days later with her recommended plan. I sent it to a few naturally minded friends to get their thoughts and found out it was very similar to what they had found success with for seasonal allergy suffering as well.
With an optimistic mindset, I filled an AM/PM organizer with her supplements and had her start taking them.
Seasonal Allergy Supplements that Work
- Quercetin + Nettles: 1 capsule twice a day – morning and evening- may increase to 2 capsules twice a day if needed for further antihistamine help
- Vitamin C: about 250mg once in the morning – break open the capsule and empty half of the contents into a spoonful of applesauce (will probably taste a little tart)- may try increasing to a full capsule, reducing the amount if loose stool occurs
- Manuka Honey: 1/2 – 1 tsp twice a day – take at least 250 MGO in summer and at least 550 MGO in winter. (Use code AHS for 10 free travel sticks with order!)
- For the Spring, Turmeric Supreme Sinus Support: 1 capsule twice a day
– can increase to 1 capsule three times a day (or 2 capsules twice a day)
– continue the Quercetin + Nettles as well - *NAC: 1 capsule twice a day with food – on an as needed bases for congestion, mucus, phlegm, or fluid in the ear
David and I have been taking this blend (use code AHS for a discount!) that I had on hand and I really like it because it combines the vitamin C, quercetin, and stinging nettle. My allergies usually come a bit later, like in May, so I’ll keep this up but switch to H’s full line up if I find myself struggling.
Finally, I’m still going strong with my nasal saline mist and recommend the girls do the same. I swear it helped me stay well during germ season and flushing out any allergens/irritants before bed at night can only be helpful during allergy season, too.
I’m no doctor so I’m not prescribing in anyway, but just sharing the line up we’ve had success with in case you’ve been fighting the good fight with the blooming trees and grasses, too! Do you struggle with allergies? What do you find helps you this most?
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