About 1 in 5 Americans suffer from seasonal allergies or hay fever
by Elisa Lala PhillyVoice Contributor
Ahh spring – the season of warmer weather, blooming flowers
and allergies.
According to the Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America, an
estimated one in five
Americans suffer from seasonal allergies and hay fever, or about 50 million individuals.
While
there are no cures for allergies, there are many natural methods for treating and preventing symptoms such as sneezing, itchy eyes and runny nose.
Natural Remedies for Treating and Preventing Allergies:
•Neti Pot
A neti pot looks like a little tea pot, which is filled with saline solution and poured into the nostrils to flush out the nasal passage.
A basic neti pot kit can be purchased at the drug store for less than $20.
Think it sounds strange? Be Well Philly writer Larissa Hageman gave it a try and shared her personal experience. Take it from her.
•Acupuncture
A study published in 2013 in the Annals of Internal Medicine conducted in Germany found 71 percent of patients who received acupuncture reported allergy symptom improvements.
Until more stringent studies are conducted, the effects of acupuncture on allergies can not be validated. But, people swear by it.
•Honey
While there is no scientific proof, there's some widespread belief that eating honey made from local pollens will combat allergies.