Winter allergies are no fun! And spring allergies get all the attention. But when I'm sneezing so many times my cat tilts her head at me in concern and my watery eyes are as red as chili peppers, winter allergies really can't be ignored...
Winter allergies can make your life miserable, especially if you are allergic to things like pet dander, mold and dust mites. When the winter heaters and furnaces get turned 'on' all those little particles that have been settling in the ducts and pipes all summer long get fluffed up into the air and into your nose. Not to mention the dry skin, dry pet skin that can cause excess shedding. And tack on the rise of cold and flu season and your immune system really ends up getting squeezed dry like a dirty dish cloth.
What's a wellness-seeker to do??
Winter Allergy Remedies. There are several wellness-enhancing remedies to ease the pain of winter allergies. HEPA air purifiers, steam, a heavy-handed cleaning job to get rid of the dust and allergy-inducing grime, dry skin remedies, cold and flu wellness tips, over the counter medication, new age salt rooms, neti pots, allergy-fighting herbs, tea, soup and many many more. But for me, I enjoy a bit of old-fashioned allergy relief - 100% pure fresh fruit.
Pineapples and papayas to be exact.
I've posted several articles on the merits of papayas and pineapples when it comes to fruit enzymes. Papaya contains the enzyme papain and pineapples bromelain. They are the only natural sources of these powerful digestive enzymes. But not only can these enzymes aid in digestion - they have also been found to aid in sinus-related issues.
Fun Fact: The National Institute of Health sites that fruit enzymes like bromelain are proven to be an effective way to assist in treating Sinusitis (sinus inflammation) and inflammation pain.
A few of my related posts on the topic of winter wellness/allergies:
Cold and Flu Season Facts and Tips
Seasonal Allergies: Six Sips for Ach-OO!
Fresh Pineapple Juice
Super Food: Pineapple
Super Sinus Juice Recipe
How-to Chop a Pineapple
Super Food: Papaya
Pineapple Enzyme Banana Smoothie for Happy Sinuses
Tips to prevent cold weather dry skin
Pineapple & Papaya for Winter Allergies. So give it a try. Slice open a fresh ripe papaya or a chop a juicy yellow pineapple. I am constantly keeping a giant bowl of fresh pineapple in my fridge when my allergies act up. Something about it seems to help. And we can all use a little extra fruit to our diets anyways, right?
What are your winter allergy remedies??
A few more references on the sinus-helping effects of bromelain:
*Felton G.E. Does kinin released by pineapple stem of bromelain stimulate production of prostagalandin like compounds? Hawaii Journal of Medicine 36(2):39 1977 Bromelain use reduces coughs and bronchitis and relieves sinus symptoms.
*Gaby AR. The story of bromelain. Nutr Healing May 1995:3,4,11. Use for sinus pain, blocked bronchial passages, asthma and allergy.
*Grossan M. Enhancing the Mucociliary System. Advance for Respiratory Care Practitioners. April 17, 1995. 8:12-13 For chest congestion due to thick mucus, the proteolytic enzyme can aid significantly.
Gillian White says
I never knew this, will try it. I have been suffering from allergies, I thought it was hay-fever, due to the dry weather, but I think I am allergic to the two cats I have. I have banned them from the bedroom now, to see if this will relieve it and I just ate a small bowl of Papaya, will also look at getting some pineapple.
Luigi Lovetrees Frigorifico says
Pineapple are always ever present in large chain stores.
Luigi Lovetrees Frigorifico says
Have you try mixing a bit of pineapple juice with 90% of the papaya?
Luigi Lovetrees Frigorifico says
Maybe that is why you wont have allergies! 😉
Luigi Lovetrees Frigorifico says
You are challenging the fact that when heaters are used in the winter, they dust, mite that goes into the air, and we breath, can't make us to have allergies?
Luigi Lovetrees Frigorifico says
GMO papaya from hawaii, so does it have the number 8 in the four digit code that identify it?
Thanks!
Luigi Lovetrees Frigorifico says
I have been treating myself for the past 3 years with pineapple in the winter and I have reduced the miserable time I had sneezing and feeling sensitive sinus.
Steve Putnam says
You just have to be sure your papaya is Organic. Half of the papaya coming from Hawaii is now Genetically Modified. There is a big revolution in Hawaii to protect their fruit, especially this one. So, buy organic, because even if your papaya isnt from Hawaii (say from Mexico) there is a high chance it is still GM.
Kathy Patalsky says
I can find both year-round here in NYC. Obviously not local or seasonal to MY city. But once in a while I just CRAVE them in winter.
Kathy Patalsky says
Interesting!!
Kathy Patalsky says
Awesome! I love veg pot pie. So easy to get creative with the filling too!
Serena says
Awesome tips 🙂 I love your blog. I recently made your Tofu Pot Pie (and am making it again tonight!) and blogged about it. (I linked to your blog as well)
Just thought you'd like to know.