If you provide your body with the nutrients it needs it will not have to work as hard, and your immune system will strengthen. This enhancing of the immune system can go a long way in helping allergy sufferers obtain allergy relief. It makes total sense to use nutrition as a natural allergy treatment rather than the conventional use of drugs. Vitamins, minerals, and herbs are immune enhancers and will not weaken the body's defenses in the long term. However, the effects are just that, long term, and so instant relief is not obtained.

Helpful Resources: Allergy Relief This site discusses options for allergy relief for those who want natural allergy treatment. It means getting allergy relief without prescriptions or medications, instead by strengthening your immune system. Natural Allergy Remedy This is a site for an all natural allergy remedy or treatment. It is called AllergiClear and it is supposed to keep the immune system looking great. It is supposed to keep your eyes, skin, etc. clear of allergies. Remedies for Allergy Sufferers This is a great site for allergy remedies for allergy sufferers. It discusses options for all natural medications to acupuncture and more. It is a good resource for kicking allergies before they even start. Treating Allergy Symptoms This is a great article about natural remedies for treating the symptoms of allergies. It offers some great insight on natural allergy remedies as well as links for additional allergy information. Best Natural Allergy Remedies This is a great site for learning about some of the best natural allergy remedies available. It covers the basics, including things you could find in your home cabinets, as well as some experimental remedies. Alternative Allergy Therapy This site provides Information on alternative therapy for allergy, allergy medication, and allergy treatment. It offers a subscription type newsletter for additional information on how to get allergy remedies naturally. Allergy Symptom Alleviation This is a site for pills that offer all natural ingredients for allergy symptom alleviation. This site will give you 90 free pills to try, and explain how these all natural remedies help with allergy relief. Finding Natural Relief This site is a great resource for learning about what some of the best ways to naturally find relief for your allergy symptoms. This site offers advice and explanations about natural allergy remedies. 13 Natural Ways to Alleviate Allergies This site offers 13 ways to naturally alleviate the symptoms of allergies. It has really simple things you can do, such as drinking water or eating spicy foods, to more complex things like taking herbs. Homeopathic Solutions This site offers natural allergy remedies and homeopathic solutions to the discomfort that comes from allergy symptoms. There are links for various symptoms and tips for helping with them.

Nutritional supplements not only help the body as mentioned above, but can also work in different ways to provide you with allergy relief. Some nutrients and herbs, for example, strengthen the adrenals so your body can better fend off attack by allergens. Others may act as a natural decongestant, or as an anti-inflammatory, which wards off two common symptoms of allergies.

As you can see, natural allergy remedies can help the body, even if they take longer to provide the relief. So, in today's fast paced world where we need symptoms to go away right away so we can work, what are the advantages of choosing natural allergy remedies?

Why choose natural remedies

First and foremost is that with natural remedies there are no negative side effects. Many drugs, in fact almost all of them, have some form or another of side effects, whether that is making your drowsy, or actually damaging organs and muscle tissue if used long term (such as steroids). Most medications cause your body to be dehydrated, many impair mental clarity for a short time, etc. Unwanted side effects are a huge reason you would want to choose a natural remedy over a drug, prescription or otherwise. Of course with this said, if you are having a severe reaction such as anaphylaxis, medication is a must, and should not be turned down.

Now that you know how they work, and why you would want them, let's take a look at some of the specifics supplements and herbs that act as natural allergy remedies:

Herbal remedies are best to relieve congestion and to loosen mucus.

Herbs are also great anti-inflammatory agents that sooth irritated mucus membranes.

Eucalyptus:

When you use eucalyptus as a natural allergy cure you will generally experience less nasal congestion, a calmed cough, and loosened mucus making it easier to cough out. It comes in many forms, from oils to chest rubs, and because it is both an antiseptic and a stimulant with expectorant and antibiotic properties, it is a powerful tool for allergy relief. Eucalyptus is especially effective when used in conjunction with steam treatments.

Red Clover:

Red Clover is a traditional remedy for asthma, which is caused by allergies. It is usually taken as tea. It is antispasmodic and an expectorant, so it is a great choice for congestion symptoms.

Alfalfa:

Alfalfa is not just something cows and horses eat, it is also a great natural remedy for allergies, as it can treat and relieve many of the symptoms of hay fever. It also has properties that calm the immune system and help irritated mucus membrane return to normal for less congestion, runny nose, inflammation, etc.

Apple cider vinegar:

This great natural remedy is best used to ease the symptoms of sinus infection and pet or food allergies. It is full of vitamins and strengthens the immune system, but it also can soothe sore throats and help with congestion and mucus thinning.

Licorice root:

Powdered licorice root has been used since ancient times as a cough remedy. It is a common ingredient in over the counter cough syrups. It is also good tasting compared to some of the other natural remedies. This particular remedy should be avoided if you have high blood pressure.

The following are some other simple solutions for allergy relief that are all natural:

If you are suffering from nasal symptoms, a great saline (salt water) nasal spray works to wash out pollen and reduce or thin mucous. You can make this on your own, or purchase an all natural one at the drug store. This is a fast and simple as well as natural allergy remedy, and can be repeated without risk.

If your allergy symptoms come in the form of mucus you might want to try cooking up some allergy relief in the form of hot, spicy foods. Research has shown that the spicier the dish, the more likely it is to thin mucous secretions, which means your nose will start to run, but that in turn can clear nasal passages and allow you to breathe easier. Some of the best spices to use in your food for this remedy are cayenne pepper, hot ginger, and fenugreek, as well as the traditional onion and garlic.

Avoiding certain foods can also help you find natural allergy relief. For example dairy foods lend to higher amounts of and thicker mucus, so eliminate that while suffering from allergies. Also, watch carefully to see if any foods make your symptoms worse. Interestingly, what you don't eat may be even more important than what you do eat. Wherever possible cut out any foods that seem to provoke even a mild sensitivity, such as an upset stomach, or an occasional skin reaction, such as hives. If you do this it will lighten the burden on your immune system, which in turn may help reduce the impact of seasonal allergic reactions.

Acupuncture is another common form of natural allergy remedy. The idea is that by stimulating points outside the body, you can change or initiate reactions inside, in this case treatment is thought to affect the immune system, where allergic reactions begin, and can be particularly useful if you are suffering from multiple allergies. This is because it works to quiet the areas of the immune system that are overstimulated by exposure to multiple irritating factors.

Other natural remedies for allergies are simply to do all that is in your power to avoid the allergens that cause reactions for you so that you do not have to treat the symptoms. To do this you will want to include simple things like using an air filter in your home, vacuuming with a HEPA vacuum at least three times a week, washing pets regularly, dusting often, airing out your home, washing walls, and basically trying to create an allergen free environment to the best of your ability. Sometimes it is simple avoidance, or taking the necessary steps like washing your linens in hot water at least once a week to reduce the amount of allergens you breathe in while you are asleep, etc. that make the biggest difference. If you can reduce how much exposure to allergens you get, your immune system may be strong enough to not react as badly to your allergens, and thus you will not need medications as much.

If your allergies are moderate to severe, you should not self-treat -- even with seemingly benign natural products -- without checking with your allergist first. The results can be harmful, or can make your symptoms worse. It is also important to note that mixing natural remedies with medication can also have adverse effects, so it is wise to not mix, or at least make sure you can safely mix remedies.

Last, but not least, just because something is natural does not mean that it will not harm you or make your symptoms worse if you use it inappropriately. You want to be sure that you do not overdose on natural remedies as this can cause toxicity in your body. Stay balanced, help your immune system be strong, and consult a medical professional about any considered natural allergy remedies.