Herbal Teas for Springtime Allergies
It’s that time of the year again, tea lovers!
Mardi Gras has passed us and as we gear up for the spring season, so are the bees and the flowers and the trees and the pollen…So. Much. Pollen!
If you are one of the millions of us out there that is affected by seasonal allergies, you’ll be happy to know that you aren’t alone, and there is an entire world of remedies out there that can help bring you some relief. And of course there’s several teas for that! But what are allergies anyway? Why is it that they are so prevalent?
According to The Cleveland Clinic, allergies are your body’s reaction to normally harmless substances - or allergens - such as flower and tree pollen, pet dander, dust, or even mold particles. During the spring, symptoms from these allergies can range from mildly annoying to severe and debilitating. Symptoms like a runny nose, itchy eyes, watery eyes, and sneezing can plague your waking hours and put a damper on your spring enjoyment and plans, especially if you’d like to spend time outdoors.
To treat your allegies, be sure to speak with your trusted licensed medical professional about which medications or remedies might work best for you. In addition, you’ll be glad to know that there are many types of herbal teas that can be wonderful supplements for your spring wellness routines. But don’t wait until your symptoms begin - drinking tea everyday is a great preventative measure.
These teas may not cure your allergies forever and ever, but they can bring you some minor relief and help you to push through your symptoms. Here are a few of ATC’s signature herbal tea ingredients that work well as a helpful supplement during allergy seasons.
Green tea can help reduce allergy symptoms and block histamines.
Ginger has natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties which can be great for soothing stuffy noses and swollen nostrils.
Lemon balm can help ease irritated respiratory pathways.
Nettle leaf contains natural antihistamines and is well known for easing colds, flu, and allergy symptoms.
Peppermint contains menthol which can soothe a sore throat and help clear block nasal passages.
A note about flower allergies and herbal tea
It’s important to note that many herbal teas, including some of ATC’s organic handmade herbal tea blends, contain organic dried flower ingredients such as chamomile, hibiscus, roses, and lavender. Even though we know that some herbal teas can help ease allergy symptoms, some tea ingredients are allergens themselves!
It’s great to be aware of our own triggers and avoid teas with these ingredients if you have allergic reactions to flowers in the ragweed family (like chamomile) or if certain leaves or plant materials contain pollen that may irritate certain people with allergies (such as mullein). Also, since hibiscus is often intercropped with peanuts, some herbal tea ingredients may come in contact with food allergens. For more info, check out our Allergies and Health Info page regarding allergies in ATC’s product descriptions and be sure to do your own research about which ingredients are best for you to consume and which would be good to avoid.
Here’s to a beautiful late winter / spring season! Until next time,
Rachel