It’s that time of year again...

It is ragweed season, when many of us are mildly to severely afflicted with runny noses, itchy eyes, and sneezing.  Also for many, conventional antihistamines are not very effective.  Luckily, they are not our only option.  There are many other things that can be done to both control symptoms, but more importantly treat the root cause of the allergies and prevent them from happening in the first place:

Drink lemon water – Fresh lemon in water is very cleansing for the body, and because allergies are a sign of an overburdened liver, anything that stimulates liver cleansing will be beneficial.

Avoid processed food – These foods are full of chemicals and preservatives, which will only put more demands on the liver.  Eliminate or reduce your intake to reduce allergies.

Avoid food sensitivities – We all have them, to some degree.  These are not anaphylactic allergies, but chronic, delayed-response sensitivities to common foods such as wheat, dairy, soy, eggs, and others.  Continued ingestion of foods to which we are sensitive can cause immune system dysfunction.

Good bacteria – found in fermented foods as well as probiotic supplements, these guys help to balance the immune system are can be helpful in reducing allergies.

Neti pot – This natural treatment became popular after it appeared on Oprah.  It’s a saline nasal flush and has been found to be a mild and effective way to treat seasonal allergies by the International Archives of Allergy & Immunology.

Quercetin – This is a compound called a bioflavonoid that is derived from plants which acts as a natural antihistamine.  It can be found in citrus fruits, onions, apples, parsley, tea, tomatoes, broccoli, and lettuce, so eat up!  It can also be taken in supplemental form for those who can’t achieve high enough levels through diet alone.

Herbs – There are many traditional herbs that are useful in not only preventing the release of histamine but also in balancing the body and cleansing out any toxic burden that may be promoting allergies.  These are best taken under the guidance of a licensed professional.

Acupuncture – This ancient treatment has been used for thousands of years to treat many health concerns and diseases, including allergies.  In Chinese Medicine, allergies can be attributed to imbalances in several organs, and a Naturopathic Doctor or Acupuncturist experienced in traditional Chinese Medicine can create an individualized treatment uniquely tailored to each person’s unique predispositions and imbalances.