Antihistamine Diet

Histamine is a natural compound in the body that triggers an inflammatory response due to allergens or injury. This natural compound increases blood flow to your cells, and helps your body fight infection. However, overproduction of histamine can produce unwanted allergy symptoms such as itching, watery eyes, and nasal congestion. Foods with antihistamine properties can improve your allergy symptoms, and reduce occurrence of future episodes by strengthening the immune system.

Salt

Salt is a natural antihistamine. Anti-histamines block the affects of histamine in your body, preventing allergic response. According to Dr. James T C Li, an allergy and asthma specialist at Mayo Clinic, rinsing the nasal passage with a saline solution can help to relieve nasal congestion. Saline nasal mist sprays and neti pot solutions can be purchase at your local pharmacy, but homemade solutions are just as effective. Also, sore throats can be relieved by gargling with salt water, according to the Southern University of Illinois.

Vitamins A, C and E

The most powerful antioxidants are vitamin A, C, E. These vitamins have the ability to reverse free-radical damage in the body and strengthen the immune system, which can decrease allergic response in body. Vitamin C, which protects cellular membranes, are found in citrus fruits such as:

• grapefruit
  
• oranges
  
• lemons
  
• limes
  
• broccoli
  
• dark leafy greens

Vitamin A is found in carotenoid vegetables such as

• carrots
  
• pumpkin
  
• ,sweet potatoes
  
• squash
  
• apricots,
  
• dark leafy greens

Anti-Inflammatory Foods

Omega-3 fatty acids are a known anti-inflammatory agent found in flax seeds, walnuts, and cold-water fish such as salmon.

Roots and Spices

Roots and spices with strong, pungent flavors such as:

• ginger
  
• garlic
  
• horseradish
  
• wasabi
  
• ginger
  
• tumeric
  
• cayenne pepper are especially powerful immune boosting anti-inflammatory agents
  
• due to the fact that many of these are also anti-bacterial
  
• anti-viral,
  
• anti-parasitic in nature