Natural treatments for seasonal allergies
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you may feel like you practically live on antihistamines and other medication. But there also are many natural ways to treat allergies, including a HEPA air purifier that can provide cleaner air. While these treatments probably won’t eliminate the need for conventional medicine, they generally can provide some much-welcome relief.
Herbal remedies for allergies
There are lots of them. For example, if you’re allergic to pollen, butterbur has been shown to help. A type of marsh plant that grows throughout Europe and parts of Asia and North America, it’s long been used for medicinal purposes. Research suggests that a butterbur extract called Ze 339 may be particularly effective for relieving nasal symptoms, without the sleepiness of conventional antihistamines, though the safety of long-term use has not been studied. Two other options include plant-based phleum pratense (better known as Timothy-grass) and pycnogenol (pine bark extract). Researchers think that very small doses of phleum pratense desensitizes the body to grass pollen allergies.
Food and eating habits
For starters, chicken is a better bet than beef. A study of 334 adults with hay fever and 1,336 without found those who ate food with the largest levels of trans-oleic acid, a form of monounsaturated fat in meat and dairy products, were almost three times as likely to have hay fever as those whose diets contained the least amount. Another option is turmeric, a spice common in Indian food, that contains
curcumin. It may act as a decongestant and help reduce allergy symptoms.
Rinse your nose
A nasal rinse cleans mucus from your nose, thereby easing allergy symptoms. It also can clear out bacteria, thin mucus, and cut down on postnasal drip. You can use a rinse kit or make one using a neti pot or a nasal bulb. Mix a half teaspoon salt with a pinch of baking soda in eight ounces of warm distilled or sterilized water. Lean over a sink and flush one nostril at a time. Or spritz a saline rinse into your nose daily to wash away pollen.
Try acupuncture for allergies
Research shows acupuncture might help relieve hay fever. In one study, allergy sufferers who were randomly assigned to acupuncture sessions had more symptom relief and used less antihistamine medication than those who got a “sham treatment” or did not use acupuncture. Researchers suspect the process reduces inflammatory immune-system substances involved in allergic reactions.
Clean your home
You can introduce pollen into your home when it has settled on your clothes and hair. To help, leave your shoes by the door, do your laundry with every wear and wash your hair. You can also use a smart air purifier with a HEPA filter, like Coway Airmega, to remove pollen and other allergens from the air. Visit the Coway Airmega shop here. And as always, be sure to consult with your doctor before changing your regularly prescribed medications.
Disclaimers
1 Airmega air purifiers have been proven to trap dust, pollen, dander in the air based on KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) testing. They have been tested according to the Korea Air Cleaning Association standard (SPS-KACA 002-132:2022 Modified) to measure the 0.01㎛ size of particle removal rate. It was tested on maximum airflow speed in normal room temperature and humidity conditions. The performance may vary in the actual living environment of customers. Tested with Airmega Aim, 50, 100, 150, Tower AP-1216L, Mighty AP-1512HH, MightyS AP-1512HHS, 200M, Icon, 230, 240, 250, 250S, 300, 300S, 350, 400, 400S, 450, ProX
2Our HEPA filter complies with IEST-RP-CC007 standards at speed level 1 as tested by SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance). SGS's test report only reflects SGS's evaluation of the sample and does not reflect the evaluation of the batch of goods from which the sample was taken. Tested with Airmega 100, 150, 160, Mighty AP-1512HH, MightyS AP-1512HHS, 200M, 230, 240, 250, 250S, 250 Art, 300, 300S, 350, 400, 400S, 450, ProX
3 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to JEM 1467: 2015 condition, the concentration of acetic acid was proven to be reduced up to 99.5% in 60 minutes. Results may vary depending on actual environment. Tested with Airmega 150, Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
4 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to SPS-KACA002-132:2022, showed result of over 99.5% removal rate of common household gases including Ammonia, Acetaldehyde, Acetic acid, Formaldehyde, Toluene, Benzene, Nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and Sulfur dioxide (SO₂) within 30 minutes. Results may vary in different environments and not all odors or gas particles may be removed. Tested with Airmega MightyS AP-1512HHS, 250S, 300S, 400S, 350, 450
5 Test conducted using Coway Allergen filter media (5×5 cm) placed in a polyethylene bag. The allergen solution and sample were immersed in 2 mL of phosphate buffer (100 ng/mL) prior to the reaction and heat-sealed to specimen size. The reaction was maintained at 4°C for 24 hours. Nichinichi Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. conducted the test using ELISA to measure allergen concentration. Results may vary in actual product usage environments. Tested with Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
6 Removal rates of Ammonia (NH₃) and Hydrogen Sulfide (H₂S) were tested in a 1 m³ chamber under EL608:2023 conditions for 30 minutes. Gas Detector Tubes were used for measurement, and testing was conducted by KCL (Korea Conformity Laboratories). Results may vary in actual product usage environments. Tested with Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
7 Reduction rates of Naphthalene, Sulfur Dioxide, and Nitrogen Dioxide were tested using the Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH in 1㎥ chamber, following JEM-1467:2015 standards. Tests were conducted by Intertek. Actual performance may vary depending on the living environment. Tested with Airmega Mighty AP-1512HH, 200M
9 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to SPS-KACA002-132:2022. The test was conducted with Methyl mercaptan, Isovaleraldehyde, Isovaleric acid in a 1.0±0.1 m³ chamber with a test time of 60 minutes at (24±4)°C and (46±10)% Relative Humidity. A removal ratio of over 99.5% was achieved. Results may vary depending on the actual usage environment. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
10 Tested by the Guangzhou Institute of Microbiology, exposed the filter media to protein solutions for 24 hours under ISO 4333-2022 standard. The results showed strong reduction performance: >99.79% for pollen, >99.60% for dog allergen, >99.90% for cat allergen, and >99.80% for dust mites matter allergen. Actual results may vary depending on room size, airflow, and pollutant levels. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
11 Tested by KCL(Korea Conformity Laboratories) according to SPS-KACA002-132:2022. The test was conducted in a 1.0±0.1 m³ chamber for 60 minutes at (24±4)°C and (46±10)% Relative Humidity. A removal ratio of >99.5% was achieved for Formaldehyde and Toluene in 60 minutes. Results may vary depending on the actual usage environment. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
12 Tested by Intertek. The evaluation was conducted against designated test materials: Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, and Naphthalene. The test was performed in a sealed 1.0×1.0×1.0 m (1.0 m³) odor chamber at a test room temperature of (23±2)°C (measured between 23.6∼23.9°C) and a test room humidity of (45±5)% R.H. (measured between 40∼48)% Relative Humidity. It met the odor removal rate of ≥99.9% for Sulfur dioxide, Nitrogen dioxide, and Naphthalene. Results may vary depending on the actual usage environment. Tested with Airmega 350, 450
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