If you suffer from seasonal allergies, this time of year isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. In fact, late spring and early summer can be downright miserable for those sensitive to pollen, grass, mold, and ragweed. These common allergens invade nasal passages and the respiratory tract, triggering inflammation, watery eyes, runny noses, headaches, and many other uncomfortable symptoms. Many seasonal allergy sufferers often experience a loss of sleep and a decline in daily productivity as well. Over-the-counter meds may offer a bit of relief, although many come with a long list of unwanted side effects like drowsiness and dry mouth. Some researchers believe that the long-term use of allergy meds containing decongestants may even be to blame for an uptick in dementia. Thankfully, there are safe and effective herbal remedies that can help take the misery out of allergy season so you can once again enjoy the fresh air, budding blossoms, and abundant sunshine of the season!

Here are 3 all-natural solutions:

• Probiotics – A large percentage of your overall immune function takes place in your digestive tract, so balancing your intestinal microflora is the best way to get to the actual source of chronic allergy issues. According to research, probiotics appear to have the ability to promote a regulatory response to allergens in the body, rather than an inflammatory response. Probiotics work best when taken daily so don’t wait until your allergies have already been triggered.
• Quercetin –Maybe you’ve heard of quercetin. It’s quickly becoming a favorite in the fight against viruses. But it also shines as a natural antihistamine. Because of quercetin’s ability to reduce bronchial and sinus congestion, it can also reduce the body’s reactivity to allergens and make asthma symptoms less severe. Quercetin stops mast cell activation (the cells responsible for overreacting and triggering allergic reactions), relaxes the trachea, and reduces inflammatory compounds in cells that line the inside of the lungs. Quercetin’s ability to balance inflammatory and immune cytokine activity means it can be a valuable ally in treating autoimmune conditions, too.

  Unfortunately, quercetin on its own isn’t easy for the body to absorb. It needs a boost from something called gamma cyclodextrin, which gives the fat-soluble nutrient the absorption qualities of a water-soluble one. Make sure you look for this important ingredient in a quercetin supplement!

• Boswellia – Many experts have proclaimed this amazing her to be one of the world’s most effective natural medicines based on its unparalleled ability to fight specific inflammation in the body – including the inflammation that triggers hay fever symptoms. For those dealing with allergy-related respiratory issues, Boswellia offers relief by opening airways and reducing swelling in the bronchial and nasal passages. This was proven in a clinical trial involving 40 patients with bronchial asthma. Patients took either 300 mg of Boswellia or a placebo three times a day for six weeks. At the end of the study, 70 percent of the participants who had taken Boswellia showed significant improvement of symptoms, compared to just 27 percent in the placebo group. Look for a Boswellia product that is standardized to contain 10percent AKBA for best results.