Spring season is here, which also means that seasonal allergies are going to be on the rise among those who are susceptible to it. This is the time when nature is busy in the process of pollination. Pollen grains are everywhere in the air, and inhaling them could cause severe allergies in some people including rashes, cough, hay fever, asthma, congestion, wheezing, etc. There are different kinds of allergies and different kinds of triggers. When the body inhales pollens, the immune system immediately releases antibodies to attack the allergens along with another chemical known as histamines, which trigger cough, sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, sinus, headaches, etc.
There are various tips and home remedies that can help prevent allergies during this season -
1. Drink Herbal Tea
According to author Deepak Chopra of The Complete Book of Ayurvedic Home Remedies, "Make a powder by taking equal quantities of ashwagandha, bala and vidari herbs. To soothe an extreme wheezing condition, make 1 cup of either ginger or licorice tea by boiling 1 teaspoon of the herb mixture for about 3 minutes in 1 cup of water. Then add 5 to 10 drops of mahanarayan oil, mix thoroughly, and take 1 sip every 10 to 15 minutes. You can substitute the oil with 1/2 teaspoon of plain ghee. You can even have nettle leaf tea.
2. Triphala - A Home Remedy
Trphala consists of three herbs that include amalaki, bibbitaki and haritaki. Take 1/2 or 1 teaspoon of triphala at night to fight allergies. Triphala acts as both a laxative and a purgative.
3. Stay Indoors
Spring time also tends to get windy, so if you are prone to allergies, make sure you stay indoors and shut the windows and doors. This will prevent the pollens from entering the house. Wear a mask if you are highly sensitive.
4. Apply Ghee
"Generally, the respiratory passage is open to dust and other allergens. One way to minimize the effect of allergens that you can't avoid is to lubricate the nasal mucous membrane with ghee. This prevents direct contact of the allergen with the mucous membrane," adds author Deepak Chopra in his book.
5. Watch What You Eat
It is advised to maintain a light diet during this time because the season is changing. Dairy foods should be avoided such as cheese and buttermilk, as well as dry fruits, pickles, vinegar and breads.
