Natural Allergy Relief With Herbs and Home Remedies

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Many allergy sufferers do not like the physical side effects associated with the regular use of antihistamines and decongestants. These drugs tend to make the user feel sleepy, foggy and groggy. With this reduced alert state the individual’s ability to concentrate and to operate machinery is compromised. Both agents also tend to dry out the body and to cause dehydration. Natural remedies can often be as effective as prescriptions without the unwanted side effects these medications cause.  They are far more inexpensive.  They offer less wear and tear on the body for those who frankly dislike taking prescription or even over-the-counter pills and medicines.

The American Academy of Allergy and Immunology did a recent study which showed that one out of every six Americans suffers from allergy symptoms of some kind.  Millions of people are afflicted with seasonal allergies such as hayfever due to ragweed allergy.  Millions have food allergies such as peanut allergy, wheat allergy and gluten allergy.  Millions have allergy asthma due to allergic reactions.  Millions have dust mite allergy,  And countless people have cat and dog allergy symptoms.   Trees, weeds, grasses, pollens, dust, pet dander, chemicals found in cleaning products…  The list of possible allergens goes on and on.

Herbal medicine has been around thousands of years, far longer than Zyrtec or Claritin.   It’s medicine you can trust with few side effects, low cost, added benefits, and sometimes the allergy treatment of choice.

If you don’t want to live on constant medications for your allergies, there are good alternatives.  Herbs can block your body’s histamines which set off allergic reactions.  Some plants are antihistamines and some have decongestant properties and provide natural allergy relief.

The primary antihistamine herb is STINGING NETTLE, which is one of the most popular herbs among those seeking natural allergy relief.  One study found that it may offer relief to people with hayfever.  Sixty-nine patients completed the study.  Of these 58 percent rated the freeze-dried preparation of stinging nettle effective.  Forty-eight percent said it worked as well or better than their conventional medications.  Typical dosage:  300 mgs. of freeze-dried nettle in capsules two or three times per day.

Were any of you blessed with a grandmother or mother who treated your chest congestion by having you bend your head over a steaming pan of water and eucalyptus with a towel over your head and the pan?  It still works today.    Get some eucalyptus oil and breathe in soothing relief that will open up those clogged passages and stop the wheezing and coughing  of allergy asthma.

Most natural allergy remedies loosen mucus and alleviate congestion and cough while they strengthen the body to ward off further allergic reactions.   Many are also anti-inflammatory agents that soothe mucus membranes.  Many also strengthen the immune system to help it to resist irritation from allergens.

Were any of you as children  blessed with a grandmother or mother who treated your chest congestion by having you bend your head over a steaming pan or sink full  of water and EUCALYPTUS with a towel over your head and the pan/sink?  It still works today.  Did you forget about that form of instant relief?  Get some eucalyptus oil and breathe in soothing relief that will open up those clogged passages and stop the wheezing and coughing  of allergy asthma.  Eucalyptus is both an antiseptic as well as a stimulant with expectorant and antibiotic properties.  It helps treat cough when given in lozenge form.  It is considered one of the best natural allergy relief remedies.

ALFALFA is one of the best allergy treatments for seasonal allergies like hayfever.  It is said to improve the runny nose, sneezing and itching that comes with that allergy to ragweed.  It nourishes the nervous system.  It calms the immune system and allows irritated mucus members to heal.  Unfortunately, some people have claimed allergic reactions to alfalfa.  Take it in small increments and monitor yourself for allergic reactions.  Take it in supplements or drink as a tea with honey to further sooth those mucus membranes.

An excellent cough remedy if you can find it is RED CLOVER wine.  Red clover is a traditional home remedy for allergy asthma and is most often taken in the form of tea.  It has even been used in “anti-asthma” cigarettes.  It has expectorant and antispasmodic qualities.

APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, as you probably know if you read natural health information, is a remedy for most everything.  Its healing properties are used to alleviate the symptoms of sinus infection that may develop along with allergy symptoms.  It can help with allergy reaction from exposure to pets, foods, and environmental agents.  It is rich in vitamins E, A, B1, B2 and B6 and contains potassium, calcium and magnesium.  It reduces the amount of mucus and soothes sore throats.

LICORICE ROOT in powdered form has been used since ancient times as a cough remedy.    It is anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy and has actions that are similar to cortisone drugs.  There are two kinds of licorice.  One is used to heal ulcers and is labeled DGL licorice.  For hayfever you want whole licorice and not the DGL type.  Do not use for longer than six weeks.  Do not use if you are pregnant or nursing, have high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid, kidney, liver or heart disease.  If you are already taking corticosteroid allergy medications, consult a doctor before adding licorice to your treatment regimen.

Other supplements for people with hayfever and seasonal allergies:  VITAMIN C AND BIOFLAVONOIDS.  Antihistamine drugs inhibit histamine after its release.  These two supplements prevent its formation.    The recommended dose of vitamin C is 2,000 to 3,000 mgs. per day in divided doses.  For quercetin, an antioxidant and bioflavonoid,  it’s 500 mgs. two or three times a day.  It is found naturally in foods such as applies (with the skin on), berries, red grapes, red onions, capers, garlic, cayenne peppers and black tea.

ROSEHIPS – Found in supplements usually with vitamin C, it is the dark red or purple fruit of the rose plant.  It is one of the richest plant forms of vitamin C, which enhances the immune system and wards off illness.  It is commonly found in herbal teas blended with hibiscus.  It can also be found in jams, jellies and marmalades.

ASTRAGALUS has been used in Chinese medicine since ancient times to prevent and treat upper respiratory infections.  It has anti-viral properties and also stimulates the immune system by increasing T-cells.  It wards off invading agents and also increases the body’s ability to remove toxins.  Take as a supplement.

FEVERFEW, although best known for preventing migraines, possesses anti-inflammatory properties that may relieve allergies.  Scientific studies have yet to confirm this, but many herbalists view it as an anti-allergy herb.  You can nibble one to two fresh leaves a day or make them into a tea, however, the bitter taste may cause you to switch to a liquid extract or capsule.  Typical dosage:  up to three 400- to 500 mgs. capsules per day or 15 to 30 drops of tincture per day.  Do not use during pregnancy.  People who are allergic to chrysanthemums, daisies, marigolds and ragweed may be allergic to feverfew.

 

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