Spring is in the air! And while all my friends are enjoying the outdoors, I find myself hiding inside to avoid the pollen.  The itchy eyes, the sneezing, the snot running from my nose, all conspire to keep my inside, close to my box of tissues and my hepa air filter.

I could take an antihistimine and get 4 hours of relief from my allergy symptoms.  But I would spend those four hours asleep! When I take an antihistimine I don't just get drowsy, I am off to the land of nod whether I want to or not.

Desperate to join my friends at the river, I searched the web for some natural ways to combat my allergies. I was surprised to find there is a lot of things I can do that will bring relief, while still staying awake to enjoy my drip free nose!

I was surprised to find that foods rich in Vitamin C may have the same effects as antihistamines. So in addition to oranges and other citrus fruits I am eating lots of sweet potatoes, red peppers, and strawberries.

Those sweet potatoes are also a good source of beta carotenes which may increase the health of your mucous membranes. Hmm, I wonder, does that mean more snot or less? Moving on...

One of my favorite foods to eat is salmon, which is rich in Vitamin E, an antioxidant, and Omega 6 fatty acids, which can reduce swelling and inflammation.

I was surprised to find that you can use herbs to treat seasonal allergies. After all, herbs are plants, plants create pollen, pollen creates sneezing! But there are two plants that have the same effects as antihistamines, without the drowsiness factor.

Stinging Nettle is a common weed that can prevent the body from producing histimine. You can make your own tea or tincture, however, many people prefer to take the dried plant in capsules. To avoid that whole stinging thing.

Butterbur is a less common plant in the United States. However, studies have also shown Butterbur to be an effective natural antihistamine for most people. Go slowly though, it is in the same family as ragweed and can actually make symptoms worse in some people. However, don't brew up a tea using Butterbur.  The plant in its natural state can be toxic to the liver, only use standardized commercial products such as Petadolex that have had the toxic alkoloids removed.

Well I am off to eat my salmon and strawberries, wash it all down with some nettle tea, and pop a couple tablets of Butter Bur. I have high hopes that I will soon be joining my friends in a BBQ picnic in the park.

Have you had any success with any natural treatments for allergies? If so please let me know. My nose will thank you!