5 Natural Ways to Fight Off Allergies

June 7, 2014— -- intro: You don't have to choose between medicated and miserable. We selected five natural allergy remedies that can curb your symptoms without the side effects.

Of course, the best drug-free way to survive spring is by limiting your exposure to allergens in the first place. Visit pollen.aaaai.org and add its pollen count app to your phone so you always know when the air outside is swirling with invisible enemies. If it is, close your windows, run your AC, and avoid exercising outdoors.

Allergy Myths, Debunked!

quicklist: 1category: Natural Ways to Fight Off Allergiestitle: Unstuff Your Schnoz with Wasabiurl:text: It's condiment vs. congestion—and you win.

Research from Japan found that a compound in wasabi known as 6-MSITC suppresses chemicals that cause nose-closing inflammation. Try a bit of S&B wasabi ($6, amazon.com) on a roast beef sandwich.

quicklist: 2category: Natural Ways to Fight Off Allergiestitle: Enjoy Sneeze Relief on a Treadmillurl:text: Outrun a runny nose.

In a study from Thailand, allergy sufferers who ran for 30 minutes eased their sneezing, runny nose, and nasal itching and congestion by about 83 percent. As you break a sweat, you also tamp down the inflammatory response.

quicklist: 3category: Natural Ways to Fight Off Allergiestitle: Tame Itchy Eyes with a Compress and Eyedropsurl:text: This combo will scratch your itch: U.K. scientists found that it helps allergy-addled eyes.

Give each eye a drop of Blink Contacts Lubricating Eye Drops ($8, walgreens.com) to dilute allergens. Then relieve swelling by applying a frozen gel pack for five minutes.

quicklist: 4category: Natural Ways to Fight Off Allergiestitle: Clear Stubborn Congestion Using a Neti Poturl:text: Using a neti pot flushes mucus from your nasal cavity, University of Wisconsin studies confirm.

Use 1 tsp noniodized salt, 1/2 tsp baking soda, and 1 pint lukewarm distilled water. Flush three times a week. Clean the pot with soap and hot water after each use.

quicklist: 5category: Natural Ways to Fight Off Allergiestitle: React Less All Around with Spirulinaurl:text: This algae is anti-inflammatory.

In a study from Turkey, people who took 2,000 milligrams of spirulina a day for six months reduced their runny nose and sneezing. Try Swanson 100% Certified Organic Spirulina ($7, swansonvitamins.com).

The Best Medicine for Allergies