DIY Tea Recipes for Allergy Season

When you’re dealing with the struggle of seasonal allergies, a warm cup of tea can be truly comforting. However, studies show that the type of tea you drink in the midst of seasonal allergies can play a role in reducing your symptoms. Certain teas contain compounds and nutrients that calm the irritated sinuses and histamines that are set off by an allergic reaction whether your struggle with indoor or outdoor allergies.

Keep reading to learn more about which tea recipes and herbal ingredients you should turn to in the midst of the misery of allergy season.

Best Ingredients for Allergy-Effective Tea Recipes

Nettle

Nettle is by far the most relied-upon ingredient in allergy tea recipes and blends as it contains a natural antihistamine. It can also be taken in capsule form as a daily supplement but is delicious in a tea blend. To try nettle tea for yourself, steep 2 tsp of dried nettle with ¼ tsp of dried ginger and ½ tsp of cinnamon.

If you’d rather purchase a nettle tea that’s 100% pure and ready to steep, try this organic, loose-leaf tea from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Peppermint

Peppermint tea seems to be a wonder-remedy for almost any ailment, including digestion, mood stability, and allergies. The refreshing taste of peppermint can act as a natural decongestant and may help reduce the inflammation associated with allergy symptoms. Nettle and peppermint teas work well together and can be steeped side by side for a powerful defense against sneezing and congestion.

Ginger

Available in both dried and fresh forms, ginger holds a wealth of health benefits including natural antihistamine properties. Ginger tea can be steeped on the stovetop using fresh ginger but is also available in dried tea blends. To put ginger to work for you this allergy season, steep a slice of fresh ginger, a fresh lemon wedge, 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar and a drizzle of raw, local honey for 10 minutes before drinking warm.

Yerba Mate

This popular and naturally caffeinated tea comes from South America and can help the body increase corticosteroid production. Corticosteroids are a helpful anti-inflammatory that may also help open airways and reduce the nasal swelling and itching associated with allergies. If you want to try yerba mate tea to ease your allergies, steep 1 tbsp in 6 oz of hot water and then serve with a splash of almond or coconut milk and a bit of local honey.

Rooibos

Rooibos is a red tea that is grown in South Africa and is naturally caffeine-free and full of powerful, health-boosting compounds. Rooibos tea contains the bioflavonoids rutin and quercetin, both of which are natural histamine blockers and may reduce an inflammatory response.

How To Steep Tea For Best Results

These tea recipes can be enjoyed as needed or as a preventative against allergic reactions. Natural, herbal teas are best when steeped covered, to keep all the helpful compounds inside the mug rather than letting them evaporate into the air. For best results, steep herbal teas for at least 10 minutes and enjoy with a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of local honey, which can dramatically reduce your seasonal allergy struggles.

Which tea recipes do you turn to when allergies get you down? Share your tips and tricks in for surviving allergy season in the comments section below.

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Photo by Joanna Kosinska on Unsplash

Get Allergy Relief with Nettle Leaf

With spring in full force and summer on the way, many people are in the middle of another season – allergy season. At best, allergies can be annoying and at worst, they can keep you trapped inside on sunny days, unable to enjoy the warm weather with your family and friends.

If you’re one of the 50 million Americans who experiences allergies every year, nettle leaf may help! Known for many natural healing properties, nettle leaf has long been embraced for its ability to provide temporary relief from allergy symptoms. Keep reading to learn about the little plant that may make a big difference in fighting allergies this spring and summer.

What is Nettle Leaf?

Before they are broken down into a natural health supplement, nettle plants are those pesky plants that sting your legs as you walk by them on a hike through the woods. This herbaceous perennial is originally native to Europe, but is now prevalent throughout Asia, Africa, and North America as well. Used for thousands of years as a traditional medicinal herb, both the root and leaves of nettle plants are embraced for potential benefits related to everything from healthy pregnancies to joint mobility. Of course, nettle leaf is perhaps best known for its support in the relief of symptoms related to allergies.

How Can Nettle Leaf Help with Allergy Relief?

As you may already know, seasonal allergies are often a result of the body overreacting to its outside environment, causing the pathways in your immune system to become inflamed and blocked. Thanks to both the anti-inflammatory and hypoallergenic properties of nettle leaf, this little plant can be a powerful supporter of your immune system in the middle of allergy season, helping your body find balance in its reaction to nature without going crazy.

Nettle leaf is also a great alternative to over-the-counter antihistamine medications. While these mainstream products are effective in helping you to stop sniffling and sneezing, chemicals that block the histamines that your body naturally creates in order to flush out an irritant could actually make you sicker. By switching your mainstream allergy drug with a natural nettle leaf supplement instead, you can let your body do what it needs to do in order to flush out irritants, while still experiencing temporary relief from allergy symptoms.

How Can You Use Nettle Leaf for Allergy Relief?

There are multiple ways that nettle leaf can be used to combat allergies. From teas to powders to tablets, nettle leaf makes it easy to get allergy relief naturally. Here are a few of our favorites.

Nettle Leaf Capsules

Perhaps the most common way to see the full benefits of nettle leaf for allergy relief is to take the same dose everyday in capsule or tablet form. Vegetarian and gluten-free Nettle Leaf capsules can be taken once or twice daily to promote natural levels of histamine and help your immune system balance its reaction to allergens.

Nettle Leaf Tea

If you’re looking for quick relief from allergy congestion and symptoms, nettle leaf tea is a great option. Dried nettle leaves and flowers make up teas like Nettle Leaf Organic Tea by Alvita Teas, providing a soothing tea and an effective natural combattant against allergies. And bonus – this tea supports joint health and mobility as well!

Nettle Leaf Extract

Nettle leaves and roots can also be turned into liquid extracts to support a healthy immune and respiratory system during allergy season. Simply mix 30-40 drops of an extract like Certified Organic Nettle Leaf from Gaia Herbs with water on a daily basis or as needed. The anti-allergen properties in the nettle lead will get to work and have you breathing easier in no time!

Are you ready to fight your seasonal allergies the natural way with nettle leaf? Take a look at all the amazing products available and Natural Healthy Concepts and let us know which nettle leaf supplement you choose!

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Photo by Paul M on Unsplash