Mar

11

Natural Allergy Remedy: Reduce Allergy Symptoms with Eucalyptus Oil

Filed Under Allergy Symptoms, Natural Allergy Treatment | Leave a Comment

Most people are aware of the use of eucalyptus in chest rubs. How many of us have childhood memories of mom rubbing the strong smelling cream on our necks and wrapping it with a scarf. What might surprise you are the multiple uses of eucalyptus oil for different allergy treatments that reduce allergy symptoms.

The most obvious use for eucalyptus oil is the relief of congestion. The properties of eucalyptus open up breathing passages and help eliminate mucus. That is why you can find eucalyptus in many lozenges and chest rubs marketed for colds and flu. You do not have to buy the pre-packaged products. You can use essential oils purchased at a health store or online. The oil can be added to a carrier oil or cream if you want to use it topically. Make sure that you are not allergic to it, as a skin reaction can occur. If you choose not to apply it topically, you can simply put a couple of drops on a cloth or even a tissue and put it near the head of the bed. Putting the cloth on a fan or air purifier will help diffuse it into the air.

An added bonus of diffusing eucalyptus oil in the air is the cleansing properties that will kill bacteria. Eucalyptus also kills dust mites; a common cause of allergy symptoms. If you have an item that attracts dust mites but is not easy to clean, you can use eucalyptus to take care of the problem. For example, if you have throw pillows on your couch that will not do well in a hot washing machine, you can throw them into a pillow case with a couple of drops of eucalyptus and put them in the dryer. The dust mites will be gone.

As you become aware of your own body and your own allergy symptoms, you will find the tricks that make every day more comfortable. Eucalyptus oil may be one of the little tricks up your sleeve that will help you overcome allergy symptoms with a natural allergy remedy.

Jan

1

Household Tips For Allergy Relief

Filed Under Allergy Prevention, Natural Allergy Treatment, Air Quality Systems | Leave a Comment

First of all, I would like to wish everyone a Happy New Year. 

If you are an allergy sufferer, you may be thinking that you would like to look for more ways to help reduce your symptoms this year.  In fact, there are several household tips that you can use for relief.    Allergy relief is not always found in a bottle of medicine or a nose spray.  It is possible to feel better simply by changing some of your household practices.

1. Try keeping your air quality in check as a way to reduce allergens, as many are airborne.  Using an air conditioner in hot and humid weather not only allows for filtration of the air, but will also help to keep humidity from aggravating symptoms.  If you want to get fresh air, there are window screens specifically designed to keep most allergens out of your home.  Most allergists recommend that people use air filters, at least in the bedroom. 

2. Improve air quality by having your furnace inspected and possibly upgraded.  Furnace filters designed to reduce allergens are also very helpful.

3. Clean your house every day; if not, at least once a week. Seek out “dust catchers” from your home.  Whether you are allergic to dust mites or other allergens, dust provides a place for allergens to collect.  For instance, pollen in the house can collect on a window sill.  If that sill is also home to a stack of DVDs and a myriad of knick knacks, it will take a lot of effort to get it clean.  Look around your rooms and under your furniture.  Check to ensure that there are no hiding places that keep you from reaching dust when you clean.

4. Wall to wall carpet can be a hiding place not only for dust mites, but for dander, pollen or other substances.  However, some experts say that wall to wall carpet should be recommended as a claim that a carpet can collect allergens from the air like a big filter and you can then clean out your carpet. Yet others say that wall to wall carpet cannot be cleaned thoroughly enough and that area rugs that can be removed and cleaned on both sides are better for people with allergy symptoms.

5. Regardless of the type of your flooring, invest in a good vacuum cleaner with a filter so that you are not displacing allergens from the floor to the air and other surfaces.

6. Many people with allergies are sensitive to mold and mildew.  Ensure that everything remains nice and dry.  Do not ignore a small leak under the sink, or a flaw in the grout around the shower. 

7. Humidifiers can help keep the humidity in your house at a comfortable level when the furnace is running, but do not overdo it.  On the other hand, too much humidity can result in the development of aggravating mold and mildew.

Allergy relief may start with a few changes in the way you clean and maintain your home.  Most of us prefer to do activities that do not involve cleaning, but the results of having a clean home will be worth the effort.

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