Any ideas how to deal with allergy symptoms without turning to medicine first?

I'm assuming you mean allergies to pollen, etc. Drink tea with cinnamon.

if you have nasal allergies, a good non-medicated remedy is the use of a "netti pot", or you can just take a small Dixie cup and use a mild salt water solution to cleanse out the nasal passages daily. You do this by tilting your head back and to one side and slowly pouring the water into your nostril, so that it eventually comes out the other nostril. Don't fret if this sounds annoying or difficult, it's not just take some getting used to. But having allergies is a drag....and the medications suck too(I have nasal allergies to)....also for itchy throat you can gargle with the salt water mixture, try to get it as far back in your throat as possible.
I wear a carbon mask for painters when house cleaning and exercising outside. The carbon works with pollution as well. But not ozone.
Submerse yourself in the problem,
if your allergic to sunflowers then smell them everyday.
I have heard some people claim relief with the Vemma vitamins and Minerals products. Write me, I will send you a website where you can buy them.