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.
