Natural Approaches to Treating Seasonal Allergies

If you suffer from seasonal allergies or can't understand why just when winter ends you get sick, you are definitely not alone. Symptoms typically occur from early spring through late November and can be confused with the common cold. Unfortunately, allergies are also misunderstood and inadequately treated by traditional medicine.

Allergy is the response of your immune system's reaction to pollens, grass, toxins and even certain foods and cosmetics. When our body comes in contact with any of the above, it fights back by producing an excess of inflammatory chemicals, such as histamine. This is when the familiar symptoms of runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing begin.

OTCs with antihistamine only block the action of histamine at receptor sites. Basically, they suppress the physical symptoms but do nothing to treat the underlying cause. Antihistamines also have a tendency to produce undesirable side effects, such as "spaciness", drowsiness, severe dry mouth and even depression. Sometimes steriod nasal inhalants are prescribed and even though they may be fast-acting and appear to be effective, the steroids are bound to get into other parts of the body and weaken the immune system. Don't you want to get to the root of the problem and not just cover it up?

There are a variety a dietary and environmental changes as well as herbal recommendations that can help with allergies. Here are my suggestions:


Dietary/natural health recommendations:

• Follow a low-protein diet, try to eliminate dairy and increase raw fruits and vegetables. Excessive protein can irritate the immune system and keep it in a state of overreactivity. This is especially true of the protein found in cow's milk. Bio-flavinoids can be found in fruits and vegetables and has been known to inhibit the release of histamine.


• Detoxing the kidneys and lymphs is essential for a healthy immune system. When our immune system is shot, we are more likely to develop seasonal, food and environmental allergies.


• Seasonal Defense from Nature's Sunshine helps the body defend against seasonal changes, contains andrographis to help boost the immune system and helps support mucous membrane health.


• HistaBlock from Nature's Sunshine is a powerful combination of stinging nettle, quercetin, bromelain and immature orange peel (which contains synephrine). HistaBlock provides nutritional support for the respiratory system.


• Neti pots: The practice of nasal cleansing - known as Neti - has been used by practitioners of Ayurveda and Yoga in India for thousands of years. Nasal cleansing using a saline solution is a gentle, safe, efficient way to deliver a good cleansing dose of saline to the nose.


• Ear Candling: originated centuries ago by Egyptians, spread to Greece, China and today is practiced around the world. It’s a simple, non-invasive treatment for sinuses, sore throat, ear aches and allergies.

Environmental changes:

• Dust-proof your home by eliminating wall-to-wall carpets, down-filled blankets, feather pillows and other dust catchers.


• Dust your furniture and floors with damp cloths to ensure removal.


• Consider buying an HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter, which removes particles in the air by forcing it through screens containing microscopic pores. These devices work well and aren't too expensive. Avoid air-filtering equipment that generates ozone (HEPA filters don't).