Asian remedies to ease your seasonal allergies

Every year, as the seasons change, nature decides to strategize a coordinated attack on my body. And I know I’m not alone. With longer seasons and climate change, there are way more people who are suffering from seasonal allergies than ever before, according to the American Lung Association. The trees begin to bloom with flowers and our landscapes are painted with pinks, purples, and greens that had been depleted by the winter, but somehow it always comes at the expense of our overall well being. Rather than being able to admire a blossoming lily, my eyes well up and my sinuses decide to block any airflow going from my nose to my lungs. Instead of opening my windows to enjoy some fresh air, the newly cut grass in the air mixes with pollen and makes its way into my bedroom, only to flare me up into hives as I’m trying to sleep. Will it ever end?

The misery has been long standing, and so has been the quest to find ways to end it. For as long as I can remember, allergies have plagued me. I could never sleep with the windows open, and with an immigrant father who did not think turning on the AC was an option until the temperatures hit a solid 80 degrees fahrenheit, this was a miserable existence. So, I had to find a way. And what I’ve learned along the way while experimenting with over-the-counter medicines, prescription drugs, machines and nebulizers, and every home remedy under the sun, is that there will never be a solution.

If you’re having these issues for the first time and you’re looking for relief, your first stop should be the nearest drugstore. Antihistamines are usually the proven medical remedy, so find the nearest Claritin, Allegra, or Zyrtec (or any generic brand.) If you’re having some more severe symptoms, maybe reach for a nasal spray like Flonase or Rhinocort. It won’t work right away, but you’ll notice longer term relief after using it consistently for a few days. And if you’re really feeling like taking a trip down the metaphorical allergy slopes, maybe try the neti pot, which falls somewhere between a medical solution and an old school remedy. It’s a direct saline rinse for your sinus passages and it might be a bit unglamorous and uncomfortable, but it works wonders.

Rather than medical solutions, there are also remedies and word-of-mouth solutions that have been passed down through ancient auntie knowledge. One of the most common ones that seems to also be a cure-all miracle supplement is turmeric, which contains a natural anti-inflammatory compound called circumin. I’ve been told to have haldi-doodh, which translates to turmeric milk in Hindi (also known as a golden latte if you’re in a fancy cafe), for several ailments—whether it’s muscle aches, the common cold, or period pains. I didn’t realize it could also help with allergies until very recently. Some evenings, if I’m congested and have more sinus pressure than usual, I’ll have a cup of haldi-doodh before bed, just like Dr. Mom prescribed to me growing up. I’m not sure if it works or if it’s a placebo, but most times, a warm beverage will be enough to soothe my sinuses.

Ayurvedic tradition tells allergy sufferers to put a specific blend of oils (called Nasya oil) into the nasal passage to allow for lubrication and clarifying. The blend could include many things like sesame or coconut oil for a base and eucalyptus, menthol, or gotu kola, an ancient ayurvedic ingredient that comes from the centella asiatica plant. The reasoning is that the oil may trap pollen right away, before it hits the mucous membranes. Personally, I have tried eucalyptus and menthol oil and it works surprisingly well and right away. My nasal passages will clear, but it’s a short-term solution for a long-term problem. Sometimes I’ll even reach for my Thai menthol inhaler stick as an alternative when I’m on the go.

Among the hundreds of remedies that people swear by when it comes to allergies, one of the most popular ones is to eat local honey to fight local allergies. While the idea on paper makes sense—that bees are carrying pollen to nearby plants in the neighborhood that are causing your allergies, thus consuming honey with that specific mix of pollen to create an immune response would be a remedy—the evidence isn’t quite there. And as a person who’s moved around several neighborhoods and tried every farmer’s market honey to test this theory, I don’t think it works. Buying local honey and supporting local beekeepers, however, is always worth it.

But the sad truth about allergies is that they are deeply personal and what works for one person might not work for the other. Some can live day to day with an antihistamine, but some may require an allergist to administer shots on a weekly basis. The strategy that seems to work best is to try a layered approach: start your nasal spray before the season hits and maybe put a little oil in your nose on a Tuesday and see how you feel. If things don’t work out, you can always have a warm cup of haldi-doodh at the end of the day to curb the symptoms.