Natural Hay Fever remedies
Hayfever symptoms of runny noses, itchy eyes and sneezing can be debilitating and makes this time of the year miserable for many.
Antihistamines are freely available, but what if you would like to find more natural remedies?
Here are three nutritional additions to your diet which may just help:
Quercetin
Quercetin is an antioxidant that belongs to a class of water-soluble plant substances called flavonoids.
It is thought to prevent the release of the inflammatory chemical histamine from immune cells called mast cells. Histamine is involved in allergic symptoms such as sneezing and itching.
Carotenoids
Carotenoids are a family of plant pigments, the most popular being beta-carotene
A lack of carotenoids in the diet is thought to promote inflammation in your airways.
Many people don't even get one serving of carotenoid-rich foods a day. If this is you, consider striving for one to two servings a day.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of essential fatty acid that we must obtain through our diet.
Research suggests that may they reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body (prostaglandin E2 and inflammatory cytokines).
Good sources of omega-3 fatty acids are:
· Fish oil capsules: providing 1 to 1.2 grams of EPA and DHA per day. Side effects of fish oil may include indigestion and a fishy aftertaste.
Fish oil has a mild "blood-thinning" effect. If taking warfarin (Coumadin) or heparin or are at risk of bleeding complications, do not take fish oil without consulting a doctor. Fish oil should not be taken two weeks before or after surgery.
· Walnuts, 1 ounce (14 halves) a day