Springtime Sniffles--Rx Naturally and Enjoy Pets, Trees, and the Great Outdoors!

 GoodbyeSpringtime Allergies...  Hello, Tea and Honey

By Cal Orey

‘Tis the season in the sierras when pesky allergenspay us a visit. Dander and dust, and tree pollen are“High” according to Accuweather… Rather than losing the dog or cat or moving tothe desert, home remedies come to the rescue. So if you’re wondering what to doto tame a scratchy-sore throat, cough, sniffles, and topped off with SAD due to the transition from cold to warm days and nights, you’ve come to theright place! It’s the time to turn to teas and honeys in your kitchen cabinet.

* SNEEZING (Stop the sniffling): Dealing with annoying sneezing, a runny nose, and congestion is no picnic, thanks to seasonal tree pollen. But honey may come to your rescue.

What Honey Rx to Use:  Try eating a tablespoon of locally produced honey. Proponents of honey tell me that your immune system will get used to the local pollen in it (it should be within a 50-mile radius from where you live).

Why You’ll Bee Happy:  By taking the honey cure, you may lose your allergy symptoms. It’s worth the effort and is less pricey than a visit to the doctor or an allergist. Honey may enhance the immune system to build up a better arsenal against airborne allergens—and help you breathe easier. Honeycomb may line the entire breathing tract.

* COUGHS (Cease the tickle.) Coping with a cold can be annoying, butcoughing which can be caused by seasonal allergies, and that spells dander anddust. If you’ve got a pet or dust bunnies, think a scratchy throat and ahacking cough.

What Tea Rx to Use: Opt to brew 1 12-ounce cupof black or white tea. For an extra throat soother, add 1 teaspoon of honey.Repeat as necessary.

Why You’ll Feel Tea-rrific:  Tackling acough takes a bit of sleuth work to discover why you are coughing—and then it’stime to be proactive and deal with the problem with other tricks, too. Ifallergens are the issue, for instance, it’s time to get an air purifier, vacuumand dust more, and add tea with honey to your diet repertoire—soon you’ll bedoing the happy dance without stopping to cough.

 

* SORE THROAT (Treat the pain.) Before a coldyou can get a telltale sore throat. Not to forget allergies with otherallergens. Rather than run to the doctor for an allergy medication, why nottake an alternative route and turn to tea?

What Tea Rx to Use:  Chamomile is a goodpick. Put 1 teaspoon or tea bag of the herbal tea of your choice in 1 cup ofhot water. Steep for a few minutes, then strain. Add honey to taste.

Why You’ll Feel Tea—rrific: Chamomile canreduce swelling and inflammation, due to flavonoids. Also, honey boastsanti-inflammatory benefits, too. That means the less pain, and relief.

*

 SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER (Blast theblues.)  Now this isn’t an allergen but feeling down and sluggish withSAD, coined by Dr. Norman Rosenthal, is another monster to face. Since oursunshine is less than more right now, due to a long winter-ish season tea is onthe list come early spring.

What Tea Rx to Use: Brew 1 cup of hot waterand use 1 teaspoon green tea leaves or tea bag. Steep for 3 minutes. Repeat 2times per day.

Why You’ll Feel Tea-rrific: Green tea has 45milligrams of caffeine (which can give you a physical and mental burst ofenergy). But also, green tea contains L-theanine—a compound that enhances brainchemicals including serotonin and that can give you a calming sense ofwell-being. A bonus: It can rev up your metabolism, fill you up and not out.Read: Lose unwanted pounds and body fat to be healthier come May and into thesummer.

-- Cal Orey, M.A. Is an author and journalist. Her booksinclude the Healing Powers Series (Vinegar, Olive Oil, Chocolate, Honey,Coffee, Tea, Superfoods, Essential Oils, Herbs and Spices) published byKensington. (The collection has been featured by the Good Cookbook Club.)Orey’s new book is Soulmates with Paws. Website http://www.calorey.com