Raise your hand if you have allergies like me?

Springtime in Los Angeles is magnificent, especially so in my neighborhood. Our home is nestled at the base of Griffith Park in the equestrian district. It is the time of the year when the blooms are beginning to burst, the horses are out in full trout, and my allergies go haywire!

My side garden

I have a love/hate relationship with spring. It can be a tough time of the year for an avid gardener with a history of asthma and seasonal allergies (and the horse hay does not help.)

When I got the opportunity to test out a new product called Similasan Nasal Allergy Relief I was skeptically happy. I agreed to give it a shot and was soon sent some to try out.

I was excited that Similasan is one of the only medicated, preservative free nasal decongestants for nasal allergies available. I was concerned that it would not work on me in my neighborhood.

blooming out front

This is a homeopathic nasal mist for allergy relief. It stimulates the bodyís natural ability to relieve symptoms associated with nasal allergies. I guess that means with 3 puffs (I call them puffs) I will be relieved of my runny nose, itchy nose, congestion, and drippy nose...sounds gross, and if it works sounds like a miracle.

In the past I have suffered though this season without trying a mist because I had a friend who got addicted to one once, and she used it even when she did not have allergies. She had to wean herself from it. I really liked that this brand is non-habit forming....so to me that seems safer. Plus it is cleared for infant use!!

I did a test for 3 days. The first day I took Max on a walk at the park without using the mist. On the way to the park I could begin to feel my allergies flare up. My nose twitched, and my eyes got watery. Max just kept skipping along. Back home, about an hour later, I was sneezing and had a runny nose.

The second day, I went on a walk at the same time and place. I could feel my allergies starting to flare so I tried the mist. It was a cool blast. I felt sort of silly doing it in the street but was pleasantly happy as my symptoms started to fade. Back home I did not get the normal sneezing fit.

The third day, Max was getting tired of the same walk, but we did it anyway for the sake of the test. This day I used the mist at home before the walk. As I approached my trigger area, to my surprise I did not feel the normal sensation in my eyes and nose, and I did not sneeze at all. I was shocked...it worked!

I will defiantly keep this tucked into my purse for allergy season - for me that is Spring and Fall.

If you want to try this, look for it at Walgreens and at online retailers as well. Similasan has a whole slew of natural products. Similasan products are all made to the highest quality standards in Switzerland and all use only 100% Natural active Ingredients. Sounds good to Max and me. Two thumbs up!!

To celebrate SPRING we have a giveaway for a $100 Visa Gift Card!!!

Leave a comment telling me how you prepare for the Spring season?

Tell me about it in the comments for the chance to win a $100 Visa gift card!

Rules: No duplicate comments. This sweepstakes runs from 4/16/12 - 5/13/12. You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods: a) Leave a comment (see question above in bold) b) Tweet about this promotion and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post c) Blog about this promotion and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected. The Official Rules are available here. Also, check out the Similasan page on BlogHer.com for more blogger reviews and chances to win!