As pollen fills the air, millions of Americans start reaching for their Kleenex. It’s officially spring allergy season, also known as allergic rhinitis, and it can be tiring. Fortunately, there are a few tips that can help you deal with spring allergies.

Spring Allergies Symptoms

Spring allergies are not caused by a virus, like other illnesses allergies occurs “when the body’s immune system becomes sensitized and overreacts to something in the environment that typically causes no problem in most people.” Allergies are caused by a variety of factors, including pet dander and dust mites. But in the spring, airborne mold spores and pollen (from grass, trees, and weeds) are the major contributing factors to spring allergies. Spring allergies cause an array of symptoms, including fatigue, sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, and a runny nose.

3 Simple Home Remedies For Spring Allergies 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 20 million adults suffer from spring allergies every year as well as 6.1 million children under the age of 18. If you or one of your family members happen to suffer from spring allergies, consider the tips listed below.

1. Tea for allergies. A variety of teas can help with hay fever symptoms. Nettle tea has anti-inflammation properties that can help prevent hay fever symptoms if taken at the right time. Ginger tea can break up congestion. And drinking chamomile tea can help soothe you after a day of sniffing and sneezing. You can also place warm, damp chamomile tea bags over your eyes to help relieve your itchy eye symptoms.

2. Fish oil for allergies. Experts say fish oil combats asthma and allergies because it contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and omega-3 fatty acids. The experts say the acids have anti-inflammatory nutrients, which can help protect against the inflammation symptoms such as nose congestion, itchy eyes, and scratchy throats. Nowadays people take fish oil supplements for allergies or eat foods in high in omega-3 fatty acids. Some of these foods include mackerel, walnuts, herring, and flaxseeds. Here’s a study that examines the issue further.

3. Honey for allergies. Believe it or not, honey (which has allergens) can help with spring allergies. Research shows that by consistently eating a small dose of honey, your body can build up pollen tolerance over time. For this to work, it’s important to eat local honey. Local honey is created with the nectar from the plants in your area, which could be causing your allergies. For more information, check out another Mindful article on honey and allergies.