My allergies are out of control these days. I woke up Sunday and felt stuffy, achy, you know the drill. Turns out, my allergies turned into a nasty cold and it literally took me out of the game. And being pregnant, you’re pretty limited on what you can take. So, I talked with my doctor, got plenty of rest, did a few of these natural remedies and I’m finally starting to feel myself again.

I know allergies are at their peak and so many of you mentioned that you are also struggling – so I thought to put together a post on remedies that would be helpful for anyone else who might also struggle in this area.

Allergies have always been a pain point for me. Every year I find myself with a runny, itchy or stuffed nose and watery eyes. Although I have yet to come across a magical cure for either of these, I have discovered a few remedies that help if you find yourself in need.

If I left anything out that has worked for you, please leave it in the comments! I think it’s safe to say we could never have too many allergy/cold remedies in our life.

Hopefully, we can all stay healthy and won’t need any of these, but in case you do, make sure to bookmark this post!

xx

Ashley

If you’re ever having any sort of issue with your nose, whether it’s dry, congested or itchy, or if you have a cough, try a humidifier first. I didn’t know about the healing power of humidifiers until semi-recently and they really are game-changers. I especially recommend this if you live somewhere with harsh winters. Colder temps usually bring dryer air, which can wreak havoc on your nose and throat.

On the flipside, if it’s spring/summer and you’re experiencing allergies, you may want to try a dehumidifier. Having too much moisture in the air can cause mold to grow, which can make allergies worse. Dehumidifiers will take some of that moisture away and hopefully reduce any symptoms of allergies.

This past week, my facial steamer (this one also has great reviews) has been my best friend. Since I’ve been congested, this has been a great way to help clear my sinuses. I add one drop of peppermint oil and it gives me instant relief (if you are pregnant, be sure to ask your doctor about the peppermint oil).

If you’re looking for a really natural remedy, try taking apple cider vinegar or elderberry syrup. At the first sign of a cold, add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water a few times a day until symptoms go away. This is one isn’t my favorite, it tastes pretty terrible actually, but it works. I haven’t tried this one since being pregnant, so ask your doctor before trying. Something about the apple cider vinegar helps to naturally kill bacteria and viruses.

A lot of you recommended elderberry syrup to help fight a cold or allergies while pregnant. Because of my pregnancy, I like that it’s such a “clean” option and I’ve found it to weaken my symptoms much faster than normal.

I love essential oils. My OB and I have grown very close over this past year and she is very good about letting me know what is approved and what isn’t. Of course, every pregnancy is different, so it’s always a good idea to consult your doctor before trying any new products. But the day I found out I was pregnant, I called her office and asked about essential oils. I love oils so much, I needed to know what I could use and what I needed to avoid.

One combo she recommended (my oil guru Madeline also agrees) was to diffuse (love this diffuser) 3 drops of lemon, 3 drops of thieves, and 3 drops of raven. This will help with congestion, reduce inflammation, relieve pain and ease muscle tension.

When it comes to a cold, sometimes sweating it out feels like the best option. Being pregnant, I can’t take as hot of a bath as I normally would, but if you aren’t pregnant, I recommend drawing yourself a hot bath and adding in a little bit of ground ginger. Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory and promotes the elimination of toxins from the body through sweating. You might break out into a pretty good sweat during your bath. Don’t worry, just think of it as the cold leaving your body. I am also a big fan of the Goop Detox Bath Salts and have been using it while pregnant.

Obviously I’m not a doctor, so always check with one before trying something new. But I hope one of these remedies works for you the next time allergies kick in or you’re down and out with a nasty cold!