| You'd like to be able to stop and smell the roses, but | | | | retain and use more Vitamin C which means more |
| right now you can't smell anything. Yep, everything is | | | | benefits. |
| in bloom, pollen is in the air and your nose is stopped | | | | * Ginger and Tumeric-Ginger, turmeric is a variety of |
| up. While allergy season is upon us, some people | | | | ginger plant, is an anti-inflammatory particularly of the |
| have the sneezing, itchy eyes and blocked sinuses | | | | mucus membranes. Irritated sinuses swell and |
| year round. | | | | become highly inflamed during allergy attacks which is |
| You hate to take those over the counter | | | | part of the reason is becomes hard to breath. |
| decongestants because they make you groggy, so | | | | * Eyebright-Originally used to treat conditions of the |
| what can you do to open up the nasal passages? | | | | eye because of its anti-inflammatory properties; it is |
| There are the strips you place across the bridge, but | | | | also used as a natural nasal decongestant. It is |
| that doesn't address what is actually blocking the | | | | believed that tannins found in eyebright are the |
| sinuses, it just helps open it up. | | | | source of its anti-inflammatory abilities. |
| There are some natural nasal decongestant remedies | | | | * Butterbur-This is a member of the ragweed family |
| that help unclog the nose without the side effects of | | | | so if you are allergic to ragweed, don't take this. If |
| OTC drugs. Here are some herbs and ingredients that | | | | you aren't, then this is also an effective natural nasal |
| can help: | | | | decongestant ingredient. It is believed to be |
| * Quercetin-This ingredient is a flavonoid that is | | | | anti-histamine and an anti-inflammatory. |
| extracted from the skin of red onions and apples. It | | | | A non-processed or synthetic decongestant for nose |
| is a histamine blocker, an antioxidant and an | | | | is great for people who don't like taking synthetic |
| anti-inflammatory. | | | | drugs. OTC products are only intended for short-term |
| * Vitamin C-This is an antioxidant which is good for | | | | use. Sprays and drops can become addictive and also |
| overall health and aiding the body in fighting off | | | | lose their efficacy. Some anti-histamine drugs cause |
| allergic reactions. It is known for its infection fighting | | | | an increase in blood pressure which makes them |
| properties which may help prevent your blocked | | | | dangerous if you already have high blood pressure. |
| sinuses from worsening into a sinus infection. | | | | Even people with low blood pressure can experience |
| * Nettles-This is a tropical plant which acts as a | | | | caffeinated symptoms like anxiousness and racing |
| histamine blocker in the body. This can stave off the | | | | pulse. Once off of these OTC items, the body can |
| initial allergic reaction so that it may not progress to | | | | also have a reaction which worsens the allergies |
| blocked sinuses. | | | | symptoms. |
| * Bioflavonoids-These are extracted from the rind of | | | | Though the products in a natural nasal decongestant |
| citrus fruits. It is the white interior of the skin. The | | | | are all-natural, you should still check with your doctor |
| bioflavonoids extracted from citrus can be effective | | | | or pharmacist first. Even raw ingredients can cause |
| in calming inflammation in the sinus passages. They | | | | adverse interactions with other medications you may |
| also have antioxidant properties and help the body | | | | be taking. |