Pollen-acalypse is upon us. The sneezing, the watery eyes and then more sneezing.

Sure, you can take medication, but that usually comes with a nap sentence, and the ones that don’t make you want to pass out only make you feel half OK, leaving you to sit around thinking about the days where you could breathe through your nose.

Those were the good times. Lucky for us, there are some natural tools to help combat these ills naturally so you don’t have to over-medicate to feel some relief.

Smooth Like Honey

A spoonful of honey makes the allergies go down.

Ingesting local raw honey has multiple benefits. If you can get ahold of local raw honey it contains trace amounts of pollen and over time it has proven to desensitize you to the pollens that are causing you to struggle.

The side effect of taking it is a plus, too, as it will instantly soothe your scratchy throat. If you know when your allergies are typically triggered, then do a little research and find honey harvested at that time for the most benefits.

Bottom line is to make sure you are not going after the plastic bear at a grocery store. Don’t get me wrong…I am not knocking the bear! It is just too processed to help with allergies.

Apples to Apples

Users of apple cider vinegar can’t say enough about the benefits.

From high cholesterol to acid reflux, this spunky little liquid has been used as a remedy for centuries. It can also help with the problem at hand.

Just make sure to keep your dose light as overuse can be harmful in the long run.

To use as a remedy, make sure you get the unpasteurized and unfiltered variety. It only takes a little bit to get the desired results.

The recommended starter dose is a tablespoon chased with a shot of water, but if the taste is too strong you can also mix it with water, herbal tea or add some local honey!

So Fresh, So Clean

This little puppy has been around for years and is cheap to pick up at your local drug store. Hello, Neti Pot!

Using a saline solution, you simply flush out your sinuses. Users have said they even have a better sense of taste and smell afterwards.

Make sure to do it over the sink or tub as you will have liquid coming out of your nose. You might make a mess the first few times but after a while you won’t even get your shirt wet.

Follow the directions in the box and make sure to use filtered water. Your sinuses will thank you.

Get What You Need

Essential oils are widely used by many people for a variety of reasons.

They can be applied directly to the skin, inhaled or even sipped in a beverage. For allergies there are a few recommended oils.

Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts so a little goes a long way. The easiest way is to add the oil to a diffuser, but you could also add them to a bath or steam them with boiling water to use as inhalation therapy.

If you are going to use the boiling water, be sure to remove from the stove and transfer to a bowl first, then you can put a towel over your head to help direct the steam right to your sinuses.

You can also apply the oil directly to the skin on your temples or near your nasal passages. Peppermint and eucalyptus oils are both excellent for respiratory issues, but there are other options that are easy to find with a simple online search. See what works for you!

Spice Up Your Life

Turmeric is a member of the ginger family and has many health benefits including an allergy remedy.

Powdered turmeric contains curcumin, which acts as an antioxidant. Turmeric has been a staple in Asian cuisine for thousands of years. It is said to benefit much more than allergies and help with ailments like Alzheimer’s and arthritis.

When allergy season rolls around, start checking out Indian or Chinese recipes for example. You can also ingest turmeric or curcumin in supplement form. Good luck this allergy season! I know I need it.