With the budding trees many people are gearing up for allergy season. Often people are taking over the counter allergy medications and nasal sprays to help relieve their discomfort. Some of the side effects of allergy medications are:

• sleepiness
• low libido or impotence
• dry mouth and nose
• thickening of mucous
• allergic reactions in susceptible individuals

Some of the reactions in those taking nasal sprays are:

• insomnia
• nervousness
• headache
• watery eyes
• nosebleeds
• upper respiratory infections
• coughing
• sore throat
• vomiting

With this list of side effects it may be wise to investigate more natural means such as through diet, supplements and homeopathics. I personally have been allergic to ragweed since I was a child. I have found over the years despite the pollen counts posted, my allergies would be better or worse depending on how I ate. When I was in University, I was on the go and tended to eat more fast foods, like grain products (like bread and pasta), proteins and fats. I ate less fruits and vegetables. My allergies were at their worst during those times. By limiting bread, pasta, dairy products and consuming more fruits and vegetables, I often do not suffer at all from allergies.
Some supplements are helpful for allergies such as flaxseed oil (acts as an anti-inflammatory), quercitin (reduces histamine release which produces allergy symptoms) and nettle (cleanses the blood and makes the body more alkaline, which is can reduce reactions).
Homeopathic remedies are many to manage allergy symptoms. For prevention I recommend people use a remedy called "Pollens 19 30CH", four pellets once per week in between meals. It helps to desensitize people to the common allergens in the environment.
Remedies that are useful for acute allergies are Allium Cepa (itching watery eyes and nose), Sabadilla (runny watery nose), Euphrasia (runny, watery eyes), Wyethia (itching palate and throat). Because homeopathic remedies are suited to symptoms, one can call their homeopath to have a remedy prescribed to their specific condition.