Natural Remedies for Mold and Related Illnesses

Emerging research from the University of Berkeley has found that of the 21.8 million people reported to have asthma in the U.S., approximately 4.6 million cases are estimated to be attributable to dampness and mold exposure in the home. Unfortunately, mold illness is often misdiagnosed because its symptoms of are also common symptoms of other allergy conditions, such as congestion, issues in breathing, nausea and sinus pressure. However, there are a number of viable, natural options for treating mold: both as it appears on indoor surfaces and when the harsh effects of mold require safe, natural medical intervention.
Mold and Your Health

There are many different types of indoor mold, but generally, mold is formed by excess moisture and condensation on surfaces. It’s especially important to protect against mold if someone in your home has asthma or mold allergies, which are common in young children. Fortunately, there are a number of visible natural remedies for treating mold illness. To flush out your sinuses, you can use a neti-pot or saline nasal rinse: since the only two ingredients are purified water and salt, saline rinses provide congestion relief without exposing your body to caustic chemicals in OTC medicines. Apart from medicine, items like hot soups, teas, raw garlic, and spicy foods are all recommended dietary choices for reducing inflammation and clearing sinuses safety.

Boost Air Circulation

To preemptively fight mold and dampness more generally, keep the air circulation flowing between rooms in your new residence. Often, lack of adequate air circulation leads to excess condensation and accounts for a general “musty” scent indoors. This can be offset by opening windows for short bursts of time and using an air purifier to remove toxins. You can offset bathroom mold by installing extractor fans to reduce humidity, and opening windows after you shower to let the steam out. As a general rule, mold is formed by excess condensation: meaning that keeping the heat on will dry out your property and prevent opportunities for mold to arise.

Treating Mold on Surfaces

By far the easiest, safest way to remove mold is to kill mold spores when they appear, therefore preventing the organism from spreading on other surfaces. Vinegar and hydrogen peroxide are both excellent natural, non-caustic treatments for killing mold spores, but always wear gloves and a mask when removing mold and wash your hands with antibacterial, plant-based soap afterwards to avoid exposure. For an inexpensive and natural method to reduce excess humidity, try placing bowls of baking soda around your house: discard and replace the baking soda when it turns lumpy, as this means it has absorbed moisture in the air.

When it comes to mold found on wood floors, you will have to remove the moisture immediately. Alternatively, wet paneling should be pried off the walls and dried behind it. For more information on how to treat mold on other types of surfaces you can read this complete guide on indoor mold.

Mold is an unfortunate phenomenon in homes across the US, but fortunately it is highly treatable, both on surfaces and in regards to mold-associated health conditions. Above all, the number one thing you can do to protect your loved ones from mold is to be mindful of growing mold spores as they appear, and use a combination of safe, reliable treatment methods to rehabilitate your family’s breathing air. Check out this repair guide for additional information.

Author: Kylee Evans