Knead Wellness

Spring has sprung, the flowers and trees are in bloom, and so are allergens like pollen and hay fever.  For those of you who suffer from allergies, try one or more of the following natural remedies.

Bee pollen:  Bee pollen is often considered one of nature’s most complete foods.  In Chinese medicine it is regarded as an energy and nutrition tonic.  In addition to being a super food, bee pollen aids allergy sufferers by desensitizing them to pollen.  When introduced to a small amount of the allergen, your body will produce antibodies that will eliminate the allergic response.  Very similar to what vaccines do to our bodies.  Bee pollen comes in loose granules, as well as in pill form.  Check your local farmers markets in order to get pollen created by local bees.  This is the best as the bees created it by coming in contact with local plants and trees.  (Which is what you are allergic to.)  In Rochester, the best place to get it is at the Public Market.  There is a great vendor who sells local, raw honey as well as the bee pollen.  Alternatively, you can find it at Lori’s Natural Foods.  Try sprinkling a teaspoon over yogurt, or mix it in a smoothie.  If loose granules aren’t your thing, then go for the pill form.  If you are allergic to bee stings, then check with your doctor prior to trying this remedy.

Stinging Nettles:  Yes, the plant whose leaves sting you in the garden may also relieve your hay fever symptoms.  It comes in pill, tincture, and tea form.  Some studies have shown that it reduces the amount of histamine your body produces while undergoing an allergic response.  In Germany, stinging nettle leaves in pill form are used to treat arthritis.

Quercetin:  Is a plant flavanoid that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.  Foods rich in quercetin are green and black teas, apples, cranberries, tomatoes, cherries, leafy green vegetables and more.  You may also find it added to supplements and vitamins.

Vitamin C:  Will naturally boost the bodies immune system helping to fight off the histamine reaction that occurs during an allergy attack.  So before you head outdoors, double up on your vitamin C.

Spring has sprung, the flowers and trees are in bloom, and so are allergens like pollen and hay fever.  For those of you who suffer from allergies, try one or more of the following natural remedies.

Bee pollen:  Bee pollen is often considered one of nature’s most complete foods.  In Chinese medicine it is regarded as an energy and nutrition tonic.  In addition to being a super food, bee pollen aids allergy sufferers by desensitizing them to pollen.  When introduced to a small amount of the allergen, your body will produce antibodies that will eliminate the allergic response.  Very similar to what vaccines do to our bodies.  Bee pollen comes in loose granules, as well as in pill form.  Check your local farmers markets in order to get pollen created by local bees.  This is the best as the bees created it by coming in contact with local plants and trees.  (Which is what you are allergic to.)  In Rochester, the best place to get it is at the Public Market.  There is a great vendor who sells local, raw honey as well as the bee pollen.  Alternatively, you can find it at Lori’s Natural Foods.  Try sprinkling a teaspoon over yogurt, or mix it in a smoothie.  If loose granules aren’t your thing, then go for the pill form.  If you are allergic to bee stings, then check with your doctor prior to trying this remedy.

Stinging Nettles:  Yes, the plant whose leaves sting you in the garden may also relieve your hay fever symptoms.  It comes in pill, tincture, and tea form.  Some studies have shown that it reduces the amount of histamine your body produces while undergoing an allergic response.  In Germany, stinging nettle leaves in pill form are used to treat arthritis.

Quercetin:  Is a plant flavanoid that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.  Foods rich in quercetin are green and black teas, apples, cranberries, tomatoes, cherries, leafy green vegetables and more.  You may also find it added to supplements and vitamins.

Vitamin C:  Will naturally boost the bodies immune system helping to fight off the histamine reaction that occurs during an allergy attack.  So before you head outdoors, double up on your vitamin C.