Allergies are a pain in the neck. They'll break you down pretty quickly if you don't do something about them. Most people run to the drug counter at their local big box store. For those of you who don't like this option, try one of the steps below.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is an age old remedy that is often recommended for a variety of health conditions. Mix a teaspoon of organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and drank this three times a day. This helped me with relief of acute allergy symptoms and seemed to help avoid allergy attacks as well when I do it daily.

2. Neti Pot and Saline Rinse

Surprisingly, I’ve heard this recommended by conventional and alternative doctors, and it seems that it doesn’t really have a downside.

To use: Either use a pre-made saline rinse or make your own by dissolving 1 teaspoon of himalayan or sea salt in a quart of boiled distilled water. Cool completely and put in the Neti Pot. Pour through one nostril and let it drain out the other.

3. Quercetin

To Use: Though Quercetin is naturally found in foods like citrus and broccoli, it is very difficult to get the amount needed to relive allergies from food alone. A supplemental dose can be helpful for preventing allergies or helping acute symptoms. Not recommended during pregnancy or nursing though some practitioners feel it is safe after the first trimester and while nursing.

4. Nettle Leaf

Nettle leaf can also be used in combination with other herbs to make a soothing herbal tea for allergy relief. It is often mixed with peppermint leaf and sometimes red raspberry leaf to make a refreshing allergy relief tea.

What I do: I often include nettle in homemade herbal tea during allergy season and use capsules for acute relief of allergy symptoms.

5. Probiotics

What I do: I make sure we consume a varied diet that includes fermented foods and drinks like Kombucha or Kefir, which can hep boost gut bacteria. We also take a high quality probiotic capsule.

6. Local Honey

What I do: Consume a teaspoon or more of raw, unprocessed local honey from as close to where you actually live as possible. Do this one or more times a day to help relieve symptoms. It is often suggested to start this a month or so before allergy season.

7. Diet Changes

If all else fails, sometimes dietary changes can be the answer to allergy problems. In our own experience, the GAPS diet helped relieve many of the allergy symptoms we experienced, including some rather severe food allergies in one of our children.

Whether or not these steps will work for you is entirely dependent upon your own experiences with them. For some, eating raw honey from their area works. For others, it doesn't.

Finding the essential method for your allergy relief will take a little bit of patience and time, but once you figure out what works for you, you'll no longer need to rely on those overpriced pills and you'll come out of the experience a healthier individual.

For additional and unique health advice, check out the original article and others at Wellness Mama.