The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Lemon Juice
Posted by Stephanie (Georgia, Usa) on 08/30/2013
★★★★★
I haven't seen much on this but lemon juice can stop an allergy attack in its tracks... Almost instantly. Depending on the severity of the attack and how long you have allowed it to go, you may have to take two or three shots of lemon juice. That's how we do it. My husband has severe allergy attacks and most allergy meds doesn't even help him. If I hear him sneezing and blowing his nose I run and grab the lemon juice, he takes a big swig from the bottle and the attack will usually stop, sometimes if it's a bad one he will have to take a second swig. This has worked great for our family.
Dietary Changes
Posted by Miked (Exeter, Nh, Usa) on 05/29/2013
★★★★★
Just wanted to post this b/c I am a teacher and I believe in helping people. I have suffered from allergies all my life. In the last 20 years it has been really bad. I started seeing an allergist. Got allergy shots for 10 years. Developed nasal pollyps which is inflamed sinus tissue that forms into little balloons that block your nose. I saw my allergist three weeks ago and I couldnt breathe through my nose and I had an ear infection. He gave me antibiotics and my ear healed but my nose was still plogged up. He also gave me more nasal sprays. Last week I got an infection in my face that felt so bleeping bad it brought me to tears. I went to my regular Dr. and he gave me antibiotics and my nose cleared up.
On Saturday I ate some broccolli in a bag and shrimp and my nose swelled up. I have been trying natural rememdies for about a year now and what I have discovered is that I diagnosed myself opposite and my remedies were hurting me even more and made me toxic.
Your body makes histamines in response to allegies or foreign material that freaks your body out. It causes inflammation and then mucus gets trapped in there and causes you to get stuffed up. Food high in histamine naturally are a lot of surprising bad foods and good foods like soda, spinach, tomatoes, cheese, alcohol, vineger and lots more. Ressearch if you would like. I dont seem to need medicine and doesn't seem that allergies bother me after eating foods low in histamine.
I eat bananas, fresh turkey (foods processed and bagged are not good for you at all), watermelon, apples, ricotta cheese, grapes, eggs were ok, potato salad without prapika.
If you have health problems there are answers for you that maybe your Dr. doesn't know about or just wants to pump you up with medicine. But, my problems might not be yours. But if someone feels better from cutting out histamine foods...... Great.
Common reactions to histamine are also skin rashes and hives. My 5 year old nephew suffers from this so I told my sister.
I also tried the ACV and GFSE. Vinegar is not good for histamine intolerance. I also tried all that sinuswars stuff. If I eat right I feel great and don't need anything. Here are some general pointers:
- Avoid or reduce eating canned foods and ready meals
- Avoid or reduce eating ripened and fermented foods (older cheeses, alcoholic drinks, products containing yeast, stale fish)
- Histamine levels in foods vary, depending on how ripe, matured or hygienic the foods are
- As much as it is possible, only buy and eat fresh products.
- Don't allow foods to linger outside the refrigerator - especially meat products
- Ensure that your food preparation area (kitchen) is always kept clean - but don't be manic!
- Everyone has their own threshold; you will need to find yours
- Consult a certified dietician about working out a balanced diet
- Learn to cook! It can be loads of fun once you get into it
Low histamine level foods:
- Fresh meat (cooled, frozen or fresh)
- Freshly caught fish
- Chicken (skinned and fresh)
- Egg yolk
- Fresh fruits - with the exception of strawberries, most fresh fruits are considered to have a low histamine level (also see histamine liberators below)
Fresh vegetables - with the exception of tomatoes
- Grains - rice noodles, yeast free rye bread, rice crisp bread, oats, puffed rice crackers, millet flour, pasta (spelt and corn based)
- Fresh pasteurised milk and milk products
- Milk substitutes- coconut milk, rice milk
- Cream cheese, butter (without the histamine generating rancidity)
- Most cooking oils - check suitability before use
- Most leafy herbs - check suitability before use
- Most non-citric fruit juices
- Herbal teas - with the exception of those listed below
High histamine level foods:
- Alcohol
- Pickled or canned foods - sauerkrauts
- Matured cheeses
- Smoked meat products - salami, ham, sausages.
- Shellfish
- Beans and pulses - chickpeas, soy beans, peanuts
- Nuts - walnuts, cashew nuts
- Chocolates and other cocoa based products
- Most citric fruits
- Wheat based products
- Vinegar
- Ready meals
- Salty snacks, sweets with preservatives and artificial colourings
Histamine liberators:
- Most citric fruits - kiwi, lemon, lime, pineapple, plums
- Cocoa and chocolate
- Nuts
- Papaya
- Beans and pulses
- Tomatoes
- Wheat germ
- Additives - benzoate, sulphites, nitrites, glutamate, food dyes
Diamine Oxidase (DAO) blockers:
- Alcohol
- Black tea
- Energy drinks
- Green tea
- Mate tea
Debatable:
- Yoghurt - depends on the bacteria culture used
- Egg white - it is a histamine liberator only when in its raw state
Other:
- Yeast - even though it does not contain histamine as such, yeast serves as a catalyst for histamine generation during manufacture. There is no yeast in the end product.
Sources include:
http://www.nahrungsmittel-intoleranz.com/histaminintoleranz-informationen/symptome-histaminintoleranz.html
Maintz L, Novak N: Histamine and histamine intolerance, American Journal of Clinical
Nettles
Posted by Sue From Wa State (Bellingham, Wa) on 10/29/2011
★★★★★
Hi, I have had complete success with nettles eradicating a springtime pollen allergy, it was a completely miserable stuffy nose, but not at all a cold, etc. I made a nettle infusion actually, which is easy, just steeping 1/4 cup of dried nettles in hot water in a pint jar overnight, then strained and you drink it over the next two days. It's not bad, kind of an acquired taste and sure worth doing. I kind of learned this accidentally, from Susun Weed's book on menopause. Somewhere she mentioned nettles as helpful with allergies, so I gave it a go. Nettles seem to have many amazing properties.
Bee Pollen
Posted by Lisa (Closter, Nj) on 05/02/2011
★★★★★
Take a full dropper of Bee Propolis in a tablespoon of Manuka Honey (also containing 85% bee pollen). It TOTALLY cured my allergies! Also gastritis.
I used to need antibiotics at least 5-7x pr yr. for chronic rhinitis/sinusitis. Comes from a yeasty gut. Allergic nose sinusitus=chronic sinus infections! .... NO MORE!!!
Clean out yourself also- and eat clean. Get rid of the yeast too- and you'll be better in NO time.
Honey
Posted by Amanda Rene (Anderson, California, USA) on 10/17/2008
★★★★★
Try using local honey to alleviate allergy symptoms. Look for it at health food stores or your local Farmers' Market. This saved me from terrible eye pain caused by my allergies. From what I understand, using the honey is kind of like having a vaccination. Local honey works for allergy symptoms because it is made using the same plants you are having an allergic reaction to. Include a tablespoon of local honey in a cup of hot tea two or three times a day to begin with. When your symptoms are alleviated, maintain with one dose daily.
Vitamin E
Posted by Elpidio (Lompoc, CA) on 02/15/2008
★★★★★
For dust and pollen allergies I have to say that vitamine E saved me frome years of itchy eyes runy nose and lots of missery I was taking 800mg a day until I was 100% ok I finished the botle of 100 caps.I was good for like 3 years then they came back but now I know the remedy.
Address Dehydration
Posted by Jo (Europe) on 04/26/2024
Hello,
There is no magic number that can be said. as an example, my wife drinks 6-8 glasses a day while I drink 2-3. You drink what you feel. Just remember that if you drink dehydrating drinks, you are taking out what you put in. Monitor what you drink that is dehydrating, and as a general rule drink 1 glass of water for 1 cup of coffee just to break even. Also look into your diet. Some foods require more water internally to aid in digestion than others. Also look at physical exertions. Do you ride bikes, exercise, or walk a lot? Do you currently have any medical conditions? And medications? These are all factors to consider. But, if you feel thirsty, drink water. You can never really go wrong drinking water as long as you don't overdo it.
As for allergies, even seasonal allergies, we found in research and personal experience that they are very dependent on diet. Every year in the fall for 2-3 weeks I would get a bit phlemy and a bit itchy here in Northern Europe. Looked into my diet, made a change, and the past 2 years has been non existent. Also for joint pain, tremendous amount of research has indicted that joint pain unrelated to injury, can be helped/cured/fixed via exercise. Mild to moderate exercise alleviates most non-injury related or condition specific joint pain. Adding natural anti inflammation ingredients like Turmeric, Cinnamon, Ginger help wonderfully.
I may have over answered this post as I noticed just now you were simply asking about water consumption! And that the allergy, joint was just the thread you were on! Lol, my bad! But maybe someone will benefit from thsi long winded answer to a simple question!
Address Dehydration
Posted by Charity (Faithville, Us) on 06/16/2020
Sick people go to hospital and get saline IV and most go home fine. Most meds have anti histamine in them. Salt and water are natural anti histamine. Any mineral has a balancing mineral. Iodine lower selenium, selenium lowers iodine. Salt lowers potassium, potassium lowers salt. Zinc lowers copper, copper lowers zinc. Etc. Water lowers salt minerals.
The body will HOARD what it has become deficient in for a short time until there is a steady supply of it and so.....when you finally get some it can feel like it was bad as your ankles swell if you are dehydrated and take too much salt or water....
Batmanghelidj books woke me up and I am not allergic or having histamine rashes, sinus, lung, mental, emotional, colds, dry sinus cavity, horrible dandruff, psoriasis, digestion problems, or you can just go down this huge list of sick and ick off my bucket list that I overcame. Praise the Lord for information that sets us free.
Address Dehydration
Posted by Charity (Faithville, Us) on 06/17/2020
If my problem had been averted at first sign, it would have averted all the other problems I have been facing. I say start low dose and slow so you don't have a healing crisis. In 2010, every direction I turned I got more bad health news and I was in pain all day every day. The days felt like Ground Hog Day. Repeating the same problems day after day and then I would tell my prayer partner and she would pray. I read books, a lot of books, at the library and found the water book but wasn't going to read it because I drank a lot of water already. I avoided salt and fats because they were bad for you. Little did I know I was killing myself and creating a long drawn out nightmare. Read the link below this one Keep reading, keep learning, keep applying wisdom. Pray and don't quit when your answer doesn't come the way you expect or in the time you hoped it would. Lean in and Trust God loves you and is working it all out for the greatest Good. Bless you, Charity
Nettles
Posted by Mama to Many (TN) on 05/19/2020
★★★★★
I have posted about nettle many times in the past. I have used it for my children for allergies for years. My allergies this spring have been very bad. I think having an indoor cat this year has really aggravated my allergies in general. But this cat is part of the family. If she jumps in my lap my nose starts running. We did get a HEPA filter for our central air/heat unit. And I started to take nettle. I take once capsule morning and evening. This reduces my symptoms at least 90%. ~Mama to Many~
Nettles
Posted by Catlyn (Washington) on 08/21/2016
★★★★★
I've been using nettle capsules for years for seasonal allergies. Before I started using it, I literally hated spring and fall. Now, when my eyes get scratchy, I get stuffed up or my ears itch way down inside, I take a nettle capsule. I don't hate spring and fall anymore. It's the one thing I consistently stay with.
Zinc
Posted by Misty (Indiana, Usa) on 05/04/2016
★★★★★
I've recently had an increase in allergies, which I've read could be related to copper toxicity. Note that vegetarians are particularly susceptible, as most zinc-rich vegetarian foods are also high in copper. High-zinc/low-copper foods are mainly animal products, which I haven't been eating much of lately! Sure enough, I was eating a lot of copper-rich foods and taking copper through my B-complex and multivitamin!
Well, I reduced those supplements and added a 50mg chelated zinc tablet. My skin is less dry, is clearing up, and I have more energy! I also have noticed an increase in libido, which apparently zinc has been known to do.
MSM
Posted by Tina (Houston, Usa) on 10/04/2012
★★★★★
YEA - I have been taking 1000mg MSM each evening to help with hair loss due to low thyroid, but am simply AMAZED at it's efficiency to eliminate seasonal allergy symptoms like runny nose, congestion, itchy eyes, coughing, etc.
If I take it in the AM, I do feel tired through the day, but taking it in the evening aids in sleeping through the night, and eliminates allergy symptons. Who knew?
Niacin
Posted by Gean (Salina, Kansas) on 09/17/2012
★★★★★
My husband has had ragweed allergies for many years, and we've tried everything. Many times he had to sleep sitting up in a chair during the ragweed season because he couldn't breathe lying down, because of nasal congestion. This year he tried niacin, and within 20 minutes of taking it he has no more symptoms whatsoever. It has to be nicotinic acid, the kind that makes you flush. He takes 750 to 1000 mg twice a day. If the pollen count is very high he has to take the higher dose, otherwise 750 will do it. Do not take the no-flush kind, or the slow release kind. Has to be nicotinic acid - you can get it at health food stores. Do not take it more than twice a day, otherwise it can be harmful to the liver. Take at least as much mg vitamin C as niacin per day.
Apple Cider Vinegar, Turmeric, Local Honey
Posted by Lee (New York) on 05/28/2010
Hi Rob,
I have experienced NY spring allergies for years. This year I have been inhaling a little bit of h202 a few times a day (first thing in the a.m. - then, as needed) and it has helped tremendously. I think I will up my ACV/cayenne intake as well. Thanks for the reminder. Lee
Black Seed Oil
Posted by Bonnie (Ravenna, Ohio) on 07/04/2009
★★★★★
I have used the ACV for my asthma---it worked OK--but it's set off by my allergies-I researched the black seed oil--bought the oil----oh my gosh, it did the trick--I put a tsp. in my juice before bed and slept like a baby--put a tsp in my morning coffee-and found my nose not stuffy--enjoying the day--now I'm even putting a little with shea butter and using it as a face cream---my face looks to smooth-and it's helping my allergies at the same time. Bonnie
Neti Pot
Posted by Marty (Nashville, Tennessee) on 10/11/2008
★★★★★
I have had seasonal outdoor allergies for most of my life due to living in Tennessee, which is known for high pollen counts. I have been able to manage this with over-the-counter medication until this past spring. I got deathly sick after painting a few rooms, pulling up old carpet, sanding some hardwood floors, and then trimming shrubs when the pollen count was high here. I've never had to seek medical attention until this event. I had all of the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, but was coughing my head off to the point of urinating on myself. The mucus was so bad that I was throwing up. With no health insurance or physician, I opted to go to a clinic inside Walgreens. I was placed on a Prednisone Dosepak and an Albuterol inhaler, and was told I had asthma due to allergies. After I took the prescription, I had one good month and then the symptoms returned. I went back to the clinic, and was given the same medication, but was also told to go to the emergency room because I was wheezing in all lobes of my lungs. With no insurance, I opted not to do this. I took the steroids again, but the symptoms came back. I was told I couldn't return to the clinic because asthma was out of their realm. I've been sick for over 5 months. The coughing has been so bad that my ribs feel broken.
I decided to take matters into my own hands. I purchased a Neti Pot (Sinu Cleanse) after seeing it demonstrated on Oprah. I highly recommend this to all! After a few days, it helped with breathing and sinus headache. I'm still doing this 3 times per day. I also found this website, and began the organic apple cider vinegar "cocktail." I use _____'s, and have decided two tablespoons of ACV, 1/4 tsp. baking soda, and one tablespoon of raw honey in 6 ounces of water (3 times daily) works best for me. I heat this in the microwave for 40 seconds to melt the honey. I do this for 6 days on and one day off. I also eat a cracker with no salt on it while drinking this to help offset the taste. I'm on my 3rd week with the ACV, and I feel so much better. For someone who felt on the brink of death and that an ER hospital visit was next, I'm amazed at the results. I'm slowly weaning myself off of the inhaler, but still need it. I'm also taking Mucinex and Zyrtec with the hope of getting rid of it too. I highly validate this ACV remedy to allergy and asthma folks! I will keep it up as a maintenance regimen with hopes I don't get this bad again!
MSM
Posted by Tim (Berkeley, CA) on 07/07/2008
★★★★★
I have had seasonal allergies for the past 6-7 years. Earlier this year I read about how MSM can alleviate the symptoms of seasonal allergies, so I decided to give it a try. The allergy season was just starting and I could feel my eyes getting a bit itchy. I started taking 1000 mg of MSM and within 1 hour I was feeling better. It works as well as any OTC allergy medicine with out the negative health effects. As a matter of fact it is supposed to have beneficial health effects. I now take 1000 mg of MSM twice per day and have not had any more symptoms of allergies. I love this stuff.
Hydrogen Peroxide Inhalation
Posted by Sandhi (USA) on 09/18/2007
★★★★★
Hi Bill: I am really glad I talked to you that day and tried HP inhalation. It has brought my Ragweed Allergy so much under control. I just pumped HP 4-5 times in my mouth and it literally stopped the sneezing and post nasal drip. You are my inspiration. Now I think I can say something is WORKING against my allergies, when even the famous Vitamin C did not work. thankyou. God bless you and your family.
