It's that time of year again. The sniffling, sneezing, dry and itchy eyes season. And if you are concerned with taking prescribed or over the counter medications because of the side effects have no fear. Today a wide variety of options are available to help you ward off the high pollen counts and the musty air surrounding you.

The only 100% way to avoid allergens is to limit exposure, which is simply impossible. We may not be able to control the outside elements, nor the office environment, but our home is our sanctuary.

Check out the HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filters, which pull the allergens out of the air. This option can be expensive, but you can choose from filtering the air in one room or your whole house.

Other options include clearing your nasal passages. This is the cheapest and easiest route of all. There is a simple concoction of mixing one teaspoon table salt with a glass of warm water and rinse the inside of your nasal passages. Doing this twice a day can help rid the allergens as well as help you breathe much easier.

Ever thought about acupuncture? Some clinical researchers claim that this form of alternative medicine can open the nasal passages as well as reduce fatigue. For best results begin this form of therapy about two weeks before the onset of symptoms.

There is an herb called stinging nettles which actually contains histamine molecules, and researchers are not sure if it that reason alone that prevents the histamine's from forming. But I had heard once from a local if you have allergies go find some honey locally grown and you will not suffer any more.

Most everyone has heard how powerful and beneficial antioxidants are for the immune system. Well here is another reason you should drink your green tea. The EGCG prevents the histamine's from forming. As does another antioxidant called Quercetin. This is naturally found in garlic, yellow onions, citrus fruit and buckwheat. And since most us do not include these in our normal diet taking this supplement may help us allergy sufferers.

There also is a wonderful product that meets medicine and homeopathic remedies halfway: Zicam. The main component of this product is Zinc. And this element has been recognized for the healing properties it has in overall health. No matter which route you take you may feel better, but oddly enough the more natural cures are the most expensive. So take a deep breath and go forward to clearer passages.

Learn more about this author, Tarra Davis.
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