This allergy season might be the perfect time to stop abusing harsh pharmaceuticals and start to treat your body right with an herbal allergy remedy. Prescription and over the counter drugs can leave you feeling fuzzy-headed and drowsy, while a soothing herbal tea could be just what you need to start feeling great, rather than just feeling a bit better.
Beat Back Allergies with Herbal Remedies
Herbal remedies are surprisingly effective at treating allergy symptoms. In fact, some herbs like butterbur and nettle have the full weight of clinical studies behind them showing their effectiveness. Herbal remedies have been used for centuries to fight the pain and inflammation of allergy season. Whether you smoke them, make tea, or take capsules, these herbal remedies are the perfect weapon in the fight for your sinuses this allergy season.
Reduce Sinus Inflammation
Stinging nettle might not sound like something you want anything near your sinuses, but drinking nettle tea or eating nettle capsules is an excellent way to reduce pain and inflammation. Nettle works on special cells called “mast cells” that are responsible for signaling your body to release inflammatory hormones. Taking nettles during allergy season will interfere with the inflammatory process and keep your nose and throat free of swelling.
Clear Your Airways
Getting rid of phlegm in your throat and lungs is an important part of making yourself feel better when allergies hit. Skullcap tea helps to thin the secretions and make them easier to clear out. Taken as tea or even smoked, skullcap should be part of your herbal arsenal this allergy season, since nothing else is as effective at clearing out your throat and lungs.
Dry Up A Runny Nose
When it comes to fighting a runny nose, there’s nothing better than the combination of butterbur and feverfew. These herbs are used in tandem to dry up your sinuses and turn off the flow of mucus. The combination of butterbur and feverfew have gone through clinical trials that prove their effectiveness, so if a runny nose is your most annoying symptom of the season, take these herbs together in order to fix it fast. They work so well that some people call them “herbal Singulair.”
Extra-Strength Allergy Tea
2 C. Filtered Water
2 tsp. Butterbur
2 tsp. Feverfew
1 tsp. Skullcap
2 tsp. Stinging Nettle
2 Tbsp. Vanilla Honey
Makes 2 cups.
Bring water to a simmer in a small pot or sauce pan. Add the herbs and remove from heat. Let steep for 5 – 7 minutes and stir in the honey. Enjoy.
Aaron Phillips is a writer and journalist based in mid-Michigan. He has been writing for Smokable Herbs since January of 2014. Aaron has a long list of publications under his belt, and is currently working on a book series for Smokable Herbs. Follow him on Twitter and Facebook for updates.
