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My whole family was sick this past week and I am pretty sure it all started as an allergic response to the dramatic temperature shift we had last week. (Temp went from 20° to nearly 80° and jumped back down 3 days later!)
So we had the usual symptoms of allergies: Runny noses with clear mucus, sneezing, whiny, temperamental and overall mildly lethargic. We all then developed a full blown sinus infection. And boy were we miserable!
So I had to pull out the “big guns” and get everyone dosed up on my natural remedies pronto! I’ll share those natural home remedies for seasonal allergies and sinus infections in just a minute! First, I took a little extra time to read up on the causes of these buggers and found, as always, a ton of information to share!
Seasonal Allergies
Did you know that allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis or hay fever, is the most common illness in children in the U.S.? I focused on seasonal allergies for this post, because the natural remedies I’m using aren’t going to help for food or drug allergies! Here’s what I found…
Symptoms of seasonal allergies, like the symptoms I mentioned at the beginning of this post are triggered when you are exposed to something in the environment that the body considers harmful, even though it isn’t. In our case it may have been pollen or something else that was temporarily awakened when the weather change happened.
Another trigger for allergies are dust mites, which get stirred up during cleaning or from disturbing an area in your home that’s normally left alone. Contact with some other airborne allergens like mold or animal dander can also trigger the immune system to react. When that happens, the body signals the release of histamines and other chemicals to fight whichever foreign invader it has detected. As a result, the sinus cavities and mucus membranes experience inflammation and aggravation causing frequent sneezing, runny nose and feeling under the weather.
With all of the inflamed sinuses and tissues, you’re more susceptible to developing a sinus infection. That’s why people who suffer severe (frequently have symptoms) allergies also experience chronic sinus infections.
U.S. allergy statistics…
- Allergic rhinitis/hay fever affects 6.1 million children and 20 million adults each year!
- It’s more common in white children than African American children.
- Allergies are the 6th leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S!
What Is the Treatment for Allergies and Sinus Infections?
If you go to the doctor for any of the symptoms associated with these illnesses, your doctor will probably recommend anti-inflammatories and decongestants. Severe cases may even be treated with antibiotics or steroids. But how effective is this treatment method?
This PubMed study reveals that the current medical treatments for seasonal allergies are, for lack of a better word, mostly ineffective! And in fact, the article even states that the usual medications “can cause a variety of complications”! Leaving health experts and scientists focusing on alternative treatments for allergies and sinus infections.
One such alternative remedy is something I wouldn’t have guessed to be so powerful and effective against illness! But that’s where I’m starting this list of 12 natural home remedies for allergies and sinus infections. I’ll even share how I dose these remedies for my kids.
Probiotics
In the Pub Med article I just mentioned, researchers found probiotics to be very effective at preventing and treating allergies. For this reason, it’s a great idea to focus on getting enough probiotics when you’re sick.
You won’t find a definitive answer, though, as to which dosage is enough so I recommend doing your own research or talking to your doctor about a therapeutic dose of probiotics for your family.
Probiotics work by improving the health of the gastrointestinal system, which medical experts now know is home to at least 70 percent of our immune system! When we add probiotic-containing food to our diet or supplement with quality probiotics, we’re helping rid our gut of harmful bacteria and yeast so that beneficial bacteria and immune cells can thrive.
And the really great news is, there aren’t really any negative side effects of probiotics! Medical experts advise that immune-compromised individuals should talk to their doctor before starting probiotics or any remedies, but they are otherwise considered safe for the average healthy person.
How to give probiotics: We take one capsule (3 Billion CFUs) every morning and will double that when we’re sick. We take Just Thrive Probiotic what we take now since learning that this brand is clinically proven to help heal leaky gut-believed to be the culprit for why our body responds the way it does to those harmless allergens.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar also works to promote healthy gut flora. And like probiotics, there aren’t any real side effects we’ve experienced aside from having bowel movements soon after drinking it! Make sure to select an organic brand of Apple Cider Vinegar with the Mother, which contains the most enzymes and gut-friendly bacteria.
Both of my kids drink ACV regularly, so this week when they were sick I made sure to give them a serving at least twice a day. They have been drinking their special “juice” since they could hold sippy cups so to them the extra serving is a treat!
How to give it apple cider vinegar: I stir in 1 to 3 teaspoons of ACV in an 8 oz. cup of water with a teaspoon of local honey. Give to children and adults a few times a week or up to 3 times a day when fighting an illness. Alternatively, try Apple Cider Vinegar Complex capsules here (Paleovalley). Taking ACV pills or capsules daily will spare your teeth enamel!
Local Honey
This has become a number one staple in our household! We’ve been using and seeing the benefits of local, raw (unpasteurized) honey for years so I make sure we have this in our cabinet at all times!
Local, raw honey contains anti-inflammatory properties as well as vitamins, minerals and folate! Plus, when honey is ingested, your immune system becomes familiar with the pollen and other allergens that bees have harvested from your environment. Your body then builds up an immunity to what would normally cause you to have seasonal allergies. If enough local honey is consumed ahead of time, you’ll be able to bypass those annoying symptoms when pollens are stirred up, usually between April and June.
And my whole family can attest to the magic of raw honey! Honey has brought us relief from sore throats, runny or stuffy noses, head congestion, sneezing and resolves nighttime coughing immediately!
How to give local honey: Adults and kids over one year take 1/2 to 1 tablespoon daily starting one month before seasons change. When actively fighting allergies or a sinus infection, take one tablespoon three times a day. Anytime any of us wake up coughing in the night, a spoonful of honey takes care of that!
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a crucial vitamin necessary to fight any type of inflammation or illness. Most fruits and vegetables contain Vitamin C so ensuring they are eating more of those when your kids are sick is essential.
Ascorbic acid is the most popular and cheapest way to supplement Vitamin C, but I prefer to use a whole foods source now. Studies, like this one, indicate that whole-foods Vitamin C is superior to supplementing with ascorbic acid because you’re getting all of the other nutrients from the food sources used as well as the Vitamin C.
Paleovalley Essential C Complex is the brand of organic Vitamin C that we’re using right now and I like that we can all take from the same bottle! I just pour the kids’ capsules in a smoothie, applesauce, orange juice or a spoonful of honey!
How to give Vitamin C: I tend to go by the chart below for dosing Vitamin C. Again, there aren’t any harmful effects of taking Vitamin C as a natural remedy, but use your own discretion in these circumstances or consult with a healthcare professional.
I also try to incorporate these foods, high in Vitamin C!
A Health Conscious Diet
Even though I try to feed us healthy (minimal processed sugars, mostly organic and non-gmo) on a daily basis, we “cheat” quite often! I love chocolates of any kind and my kids like gluten free snack bars, which do contain added sugars. But when any of us are sick I make sure to pack as much superfood-type meals and snacks as possible.
This usually means nothing that comes in a wrapper, box or bag as those are typically not going to be nutrient rich and will likely have processed sugar! Sugar feeds inflammation and infections, so stay away when sick! So raw fruit, vegetables and lots of homemade chicken or bone broth is what we eat the entire time sickness is in our home!
B O N U S T I P!
If you don’t have a Nose Frida, get one now. This single product can bring fast relief to babies and toddlers who have what I call, the waterfall nose. The nose frida allows you to–yes suck–out what’s keeping them awake and miserable at night or walking around with unsightly strings during the day. It’s odd at first and neither of my kids love it, but it is harmless and quick. It instantly clears up a runny nose, buying you and your kid a much needed breather! (Pun intended!)
Elderberry Syrup
I actually started making my own elderberry syrup this past fall after reading so many stories about how elderberry syrup has helped families avoid the flu and other illnesses during the winter months. I follow a very easy recipe and made about 3 batches throughout the winter and it certainly has kept us healthier I think–we didn’t catch the flu! I bought two, one pound bags of organic black elderberries from Amazon and that lasted us all winter.
Aside from preventing the flu, elderberry syrup is made with powerful, potent ingredients that are healing to the body and immune system. I love the smell of the berries, ginger and cinnamon simmering on the stove!
How to give elderberry syrup : We all take about 1-2 teaspoons on a regular basis during the winter months (every day I can remember) and 1-3 tablespoons/day when we’re sick.
Detox Bath
Anytime any of us are sick or physically injured we take a detox bath. Detox baths are a safe way to eliminate toxins from the body and ease inflammation. Plus, they provide some immediate relief from symptoms. There are so many recipes you can use for detox baths when children are sick, but ours is quite simple.
How to give a detox bath: I add 1 cup of Epsom salt and 1 tablespoon of baking soda to a warm bath plus 10 drops of Lavender essential oils. Once my kids are around 2 years old I’ll also add several drops of lemon essential oil to the bath. I order Epsom salts here for their free shipping and on-going sales!
Essential Oils
Essentials oils have been used to promote good health for centuries and they’re definitely another go-to in our house whenever we’re sick. You have to be careful using essential oils with young children, though, so make sure you research which oils are safe for your kids’ ages. I normally stick to lavender, tea tree and lemon to fight allergies and sinus infections. These particular oils are antibacterial and antiviral, plus they have a soothing and calming effect.
How to give essential oils: As mentioned, I add lavender or lemon to detox baths and I also add a couple drops to coconut oil as a lotion after the bath. I diffuse 10 drops of lemon every day when anyone is sick and lavender in the evening. To clear up rashes associated with seasonal allergies I apply 3-5 drops of tea tree with coconut oil to the skin. Find essential oils and diffusers here, where all orders ship for $2.99! (Free over $40)
Onions and Garlic
I swear by this remedy! Especially for fevers (more common with colds and flu) and body aches or when you’re just really feeling crumby. Onions and garlic contain disease fighting components that have the effect of an antibiotic, without wiping out your gut flora!
How to use onions and garlic: For fevers and body aches associated with sinus infections, I put coconut oil and crushed garlic on the soles of the feet with thick socks and give the bottom of the foot a little rub to increase circulation. This usually breaks a fever quick and also relieves body aches that come with infections. My kids are able to rest, which promotes healing! You can do the same with sliced onions pieces and switch it out with fresh garlic or onions every 3 hours.
I also cook meals that have raw, minced garlic in them and add cooked onions to our meals too. If you don’t like the taste and smell of garlic, you can find garlic extracts and oils here!
Ginger Root
As it turns out, ginger has been shown to prevent and treat everything from inflammation, infections, diabetes and even cancer! Wow! Ginger contains antibacterial and antiviral components that act like an antibiotic. And ginger doesn’t lose its potency when it’s cooked either!
How to give ginger: While I can handle the sharp sting of eating raw ginger, my kids can’t. So for them I simmer about one tablespoon of chopped ginger in a pot of water, then add the water (without the cooked ginger pieces) in a cup of ice and sweeten it with local honey. They love their “ginger tea” (and so do I) and they really drink it right up!
I also recently discovered that my kids will happily drink ginger infused water! I simply throw a few chunks of raw, peeled ginger root in their cups and they sip it throughout the day when they’re sick. No need to add honey if you don’t have it or need less sugar.
Saline Sinus Wash
Personally, this is my least favorite remedy only because I do not enjoy putting anything in my nose! And neither do my kids so this one is always a fight. But, there is plenty of information out there that validates the fast acting effect of saline sinus washes or sprays. Therefore, I will bite the bullet on this one when we really need relief from sinus congestion.
How to do saline sinus wash: The idea is actually very simple. You just want to get warm salt water up the nostrils and let it drain back and irrigate the sinuses to rinse away infection. I add about 1 teaspoon of salt (any variety) to 1/2 cup of previously boiled warm water and stir. Then you can just drip salt water in each nostril, holding the other nostril closed and repeat on the other side. You can also purchase nasal sprays or neti pots here to make the task easier!
Homeopathy
When we have to, we turn to natural medicinal remedies for treating allergies and sinus infections. Otherwise known has homeopathic remedies! These are remedies that have been used my humans for a very long time and are plant-based, inexpensive and come with very minimal side effects, although we’ve never experienced any! The dosage for any homeopathic remedy depends on which one you’re using and who it’s for.
Below are our go-to brands for homeopathic remedies and treatments for allergies and sinus infections. Search through all of their homeopathic remedies here!
- Borion
- Hylands
- Zandi Zumka
Side note:
I’m still breastfeeding Jolene so she has the added benefits of breast milk, which contains anti-inflammatory properties as well as my own antibodies! I’m certain her desire to nurse more frequently during sickness has helped her find relief as well. So if you’re currently breastfeeding, I highly recommend allowing your little one to nurse anytime they want.
So as we approach another change in seasons, go ahead and stock your cabinets with this list of 12 Natural Home Remedies!
References
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, Allergy Facts and Figures
I’m definitely going to try some of these remedies – they look brilliant x
Great post! I have seasonal allergies, and in the spring I have to turn to at least one of the remedies you mentioned. Saline sinus rinses are more least favorite too.
These are some great tips! Will definitely be trying some of these!
This is great! So many of these products I have in my home! Apple Cider Vinegar and honey are a mainstay, but I never tried them as a home remedy. I will now!
Oh girl, you’re about to be amazed! ?