The Season of Sneezing!

It’s that time of year again….the breathtaking array of beautiful colors, everything looks so green and vibrant except you’re not feeling so vibrant! The sneezing, wheezing, coughing, itchy and watery eyes can really make springtime a drag. In addition, many of the medications to alleviate symptoms end up making you feel drowsy and lousy. But there is good news! Many alternative treatments have great results with allergies without the side effects. As I have said before, always check with your doctor before taking anything.

Quercetin – This is a plant-based chemical that is part of a group of phytochemicals known as flavonoids. It is often responsible for giving plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables their color such as apples and red onions. It works as a powerful antihistamine. However you must take it for a few weeks to feel the benefits.

Butterbur – This herb also works to block histamine and as with Quercetin it takes a few weeks of steady use to feel the benefits.

Stinging Nettles – This herb is great for grass allergies and hay fever. It helps to reduce the allergies inflammatory response. Caution – some people are allergic to nettle so stop taking it if you have a reaction.

Bromelain – This digestive enzyme is derived from pineapples and may help to “dissolve” the foreign proteins (Antigens) that are responsible for many allergies. It also helps with inflammation, sinusitis and difficult breathing due to allergies.

Vitamin C – It is a great antioxidant but Vitamin C also can reduce blood histamine levels by up to 40 %.

All this being said, Source Naturals is a company that makes a product called Aller-Response. It contains many of the ingredients that I discussed above in one capsule. It inhibits the release of histamines and boosts the immune system which enables the body to do the healing.

Essential oil of Eucalyptus and Peppermint - Both eucalyptus and peppermint are great for opening up the sinus passages and helping with congestion. Peppermint has the added benefit of relieving headaches. For sinus issues boil about 8 cups of water. Once the water has boiled put 4 drops of either oil in the pot and gently put your head over it with a towel and Inhale the vapors. You can also put a few drops on a tissue or cloth and breathe it in. For a headache mix a drop of peppermint oil with jojoba, sesame or even olive oil and put it on your temples as well as inhaling it for relief.

Neti Pot - A neti pot is a container designed to rinse the nasal cavity. The nasal cavity can become overloaded and inflamed through exposure to pollution, chemicals, fragrances, pollen and dust so cleansing can help the nasal cavity to operate more efficiently. A neti-pot looks like a garden watering can but it is a great way to cleanse the sinus passages and help with chronic sinusitis, especially hay fever.

NOTE: In addition to supplements and vitamins, it is important that your immune system is strong, so proper diet, exercise and stress reduction techniques are important. Try to focus on an anti-inflammatory diet . In addition, acupuncture and massage are also very helpful.

Happy Spring,
Maria