7 Natural Remedies For Spring Allergy & Flu Symptoms

It's a common time of year to experience a flare up in allergies, a sinus infection, or to get a cold or flu like symptoms. It's no fun and it can be a drag as the weather starts to warm up and you want to get outside and enjoy yourself.

But why is it so common? According to Ayurveda, the transition from winter to spring has the characteristics of heavy, saturated, and stagnant that wants to be released. Often it can show up as excess mucus, depression, seasonal irritants, and lethargy. Getting sick can be an expression of your bodies way of releasing those to make way for spring characteristics like light, freshness, openness and growth.

Thankfully, you don't have to take tons of medications to feel better. There are natural ways to balance the body to enjoy spring through holistic remedies and lifestyle behaviors. 

Supplements Zinc, Magnesium and a Probiotic

These three are truly some power house supplements. Zinc boosting your immune system, magnesium helps with just about every body function (literally) and a probiotic to increase the good bacteria in your gut to keep you balanced. I don't often recommend supplements because I truly believe we should be getting our nutrients from whole foods but our soil is often deficient in those important nutrients, hence our food is not always as potent as it should be (another reason to buy organic, when possible). *Always check with your doctor before starting a new supplement.

Recharge With Meditation

Your body is working double time when it's fighting a cold or allergies, so then it's your job to give it ample amounts of rest. But I'm not just talking about sleep at night. I'm talking a restful, conscious pause to allow the body to slow down and regain some immunity strength, during daylight hours. This the power of sitting still. It works. I promise. Try 5-10 minutes with the app Insight Timer, relaxing music, or even in silence. You can't ever do it "wrong" and the goal isn't to have a blank mind. Simply sit or lay down in a comfortable, calm space, close your eyes, breathe, and relax.

Get Moving, First Thing

Vigorous, lively exercise in the morning (of course, after a big glass of warm water to flush toxins) for 10 minutes will increase blood circulation, active your lymphatic system (drains toxins), release stagnant energy, boost mental health, and bring your cells to awake and alert. Moving the body is directly correlated to immune health. Put on 3 dance tunes, run a mile, swing a kettlebell, or get in a round of push ups and squats. It doesn't need to be long, just get moving!

Cleanse and Lubricate Nasal Passages

The respiratory system typically hosts allergic symptoms so directly clearing and hydrating the nasal passages will help with sneezing, runny nose, and scratchy throat. Think of your nose as your bodies air filter, sometimes you have to clean the filters! The best way to do this is to irrigate your nasal passages with a neti pot followed up with a light amount of carrier oil, like almond, sesame, or jojoba (wow, it would be helpful to create a YouTube video of this). For now check out this video for a instructions. Important note: neti pots are best before your nose is clogged up as the water may not be able to flow through.

Fire Cider Tonic

This incredible herbal tonic is usually a blend of ingredients of root vegetables, apple cider vinegar, herbs, and citrus. It's something you can make at home or buy at your local health food store. After making it myself (pretty potent stuff!) I recommend buying it because it often tastes way better. It's best to take an ounce and mix with an 8 once glass of water and sip. It will boost immunity and aide digestion.

Vitamin C From Whole Foods

It's always about boosting your immune system. Foods naturally highest in vitamin C are citrus fruits like orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, kiwi, strawberries and even red pepper, brussels sprouts, and broccoli. Who knew! While adding in those foods (fruit especially in the morning in an empty stomach) do your best to limit refined sugars, heavy foods at night, alcohol, and non-organic cow's products and processed foods. These foods will take such a toll on your body while it's trying to fight off illness. 

Clear Your Home of Irritants

To help ease allergic reactions and maintain a high level of wellness, eliminate fragrances and toxins in home, cleaning and beauty products like scented candles, detergents, soaps, shampoo and lotions. Consider swapping out toxic products for hypoallergenic and unscented ones. You'd be surprised how much of a difference it came make. Keep your home clean and have a humidifier going to help purify the air.