Natural fixes for hay fever

The sun is bright, warm breezes are blowing and plants are blooming all around us—including pesky ragweed. The weed begins releasing pollen in August and keeps producing it well into fall, triggering miserable allergy symptoms such as sneezing, sniffling and itching for 23 million of us. Luckily, relief is at hand: These simple, natural strategies can prevent hay fever flares and soothe symptoms if you’re already suffering

- Melissa Gotthardt

Cook with the 'golden spice'

The turmeric that makes a tasty addition to chicken, rice, veggies and even eggs has been used to soothe allergies in India for centuries. And for good reason: A study published in the journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology found that curcumin, a compound that abounds in the spice, reduced stuffiness and sneezing as effectively as the antihistamine cetirizine. Experts explain that curcumin suppresses immune system proteins that amp up allergic responses. Tip: When cooking with turmeric, add a pinch of black pepper to your dish too. It's high in piperine, a unique compound that makes curcumin up to 2,000% more available to the body.