Does spring bring on scratchy eyes, congestion, and hay fever?  These three powerful natural remedies for seasonal allergies have been helping us: Arogya Seasonal Allergies Healing Blend, Local bee pollen from Weston’s Red Bee Honey, and a Chinese herbal supplement called Pe Min Gan Wan.

 

Soothe Allergy Symptoms with Herbal Remedies

Don’t let allergies hold you back this season! Stock your home holistic medicine cabinet with these seasonal allergy treatments.

Seasonal Allergy Tea

Our healing Seasonal Allergy blend features potent herbs that soothe symptoms of hay fever and general allergies. Take a look at some of the herbs in this medicinal tea:

Nettle

Nettle leaf has anti-inflammatory properties and reduces spring allergy symptoms including nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes. It also reduces allergy symptoms by lowing the level of histamines released by the body.

Honeybush & Rooibos

These two plants are close cousins and have been used as traditional remedies for allergies in South Africa. Honeybush boosts the immune system and acts as an expectorant, while Rooibos works as an antihistamine and a bronchodilator to reduce allergy symptoms including wheezing.

Turmeric

Famous for its anti-inflammatory properties, Turmeric is a versatile medicinal root that can reduce both allergic responses and asthma.

Bee Pollen

Keep reading below to learn about how bee pollen helps with allergies.

 

Bee pollen

This golden gift from the bee kingdom acts as a desensitizer to spring allergens by exposing you to low levels of local pollen.  This causes the body to produce antibodies to the very allergens that cause hay fever, congestion, and other spring allergy symptoms.  In addition to this, regular consumption of bee pollen can help balance your immune system and boost energy levels. As Red Bee founder Marina Marchese told us, “Bee pollen is nature’s raw superfood.  Gathered by honeybees from flowers, pure bee pollen is full of protein, amino acids, enzymes, and B vitamins. It is the only food that contains every essential nutrient needed by mankind.”

So, how much should you take?

Start with a pinch a day and gradually build up to 1 teaspoon over the course of a few weeks.  You can eat it by itself, add it to a smoothie, or sprinkle a bit on top of a salad.  You’ll find that it tastes a bit like edible flowers and honey with a touch of nuttiness.

For those of you who don’t live near Westport, CT, and are suffering from allergies, see if your neighborhood beekeeper carries bee pollen.  It’s important to use local bee products in order to produce antibodies to plant allergens in your area.

 

Pe Min Gan Wan

This Chinese herbal formula, which means “seasonal allergy remedy” in Chinese, is an herbal supplement that relieves all the classic allergy symptoms such as congestion, runny nose, red and itchy eyes, and sinus headaches.  One of the main ingredients in this elixir is magnolia flower, which has strong anti-inflammatory properties that help cleanse and open the sinuses.  Another dominant herb is fang-feng which helps strengthen immunity and make us less susceptible to allergies in the future.

Please feel free to drop by our store anytime to learn more about Pe Min Gan Wan and our other Chinese herbal supplements.

 

Bonus Tip: Acupuncture Treatments

Acupuncture may help alleviate allergic congestion and inflammation while also strengthening the immune system to prevent future allergy symptoms. The body recognizes the stimulus from acupuncture needles placed at specific points and responds by promoting circulation and energy flow to those areas in need of healing.

 

For personalized herbal recommendations, schedule an appointment with Arogya acupuncturist, Gregor Bertram, or a Wellness Consultation with Arogya director, Wei Bertram.

 

by Chloe Bolton