If you are someone who has suffered with seasonal allergies, you are probably feeling the discomfort right about now as we head into spring. If you have dealt with them for a while, you probably have your tried and true protocol for what you’ve found to be of help. But just in case, let’s review what exactly brings on an allergy, the processes happening in the body, and then some remedies I have found to help ease the discomfort.
Allergies are considered to be a disorder of the immune system. Sometimes referred to as hypersensitivities, allergies are characterized by an immune response to a substance that is normally harmless to most people. In the case of environmental allergies, IgE antibodies are produced in response to inhaled allergens. The most common airborne allergens are pollen, mold spores, dust and animal dander. It is estimated that almost half the population of North America and Europe suffer from airborne allergies. Affecting primarily the upper respiratory tract, symptoms of airborne allergies include sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, wheezing, coughing, sinus pain and congestion, headaches and fatigue. Although rarely life-threatening, these reactions can significantly decrease the quality of life, resulting in loss of time and productivity from work, school and other activities. The symptoms of allergy are due to the release of histamine. Released by mast cells, histamine causes inflammation, smooth muscle contraction, increased mucous secretion and irritation of epithelial cells. Increased mucous production and bronchial constriction of the lower airways is responsible for the development of allergic asthma, a disease which can be life threatening. Environmental pollutants such as smog, exhaust fumes, synthetic chemicals, heavy metals, etc., all play a role in the increased incidence and severity of environmental allergies. Due to the increased allergenic load in our environment, many allergy sufferers exist in a state of perpetual hyper-reaction. This chronic state of immune reactivity and inflammation can ultimately lead to more serious forms of disease.
From a holistic point of view, these are very helpful herbs and natural remedies that I have found to be of great help for seasonal allergies.
HERBS:
Albizia - Traditional Ayurvedic uses of this herb have been for airborne allergies, hay fever, asthma as well as skin reactions to allergies
Euphrasia - Traditional uses of this herb have been to support mucus membranes throughout the body, hay fever, congestion and spasms in the respitory tract, and sinus and ear congestion.
Nettle Leaf - This herb traditionally has been added to herbal formulas for its antiallergic properties. It assits with bronchial and asthmatic conditions and bladder disorders
Echinacea - Traditional uses of this herb are for Immune modulating and enhancing, it assists in nasal and repertory conditions, It helps prevent repertory conditions
HOMEOPATHICS:
Allium Cepa 3X - Assists with symptoms of hay fever and respiratory ailments, including headaches, watery eyes, sneezing, hoarseness, cough and congested eustation tubes. Useful in presence of lung catarrh, colds, influenza, and laryngitis
Ambrosia artemisiaefolia 3X - Remedy for hay fever, supporting the entire respiratory tract. Indicated for runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, stuffed up head, irritation of trachea and bronchial tubes. arrh, colds, influenza, and laryngitis.
Pulsatilla nigricans 12X - Indicated for stuffed ears, yellow mucous in nose, stuffed nose, cough, hoarseness, expectoration and shortness of breath
SUPPLEMENTS:
Allerplex- This is a combination product that gives support to the lungs, adrenals, and liver. It also supports the immune system. The product was designed to support symptoms of allergies.
Antronex- This product contains a special liver extract called Yakriton. Yakriton is the blood-filtering fraction of the liver. It acts as a natural anti-histamine, excellent for people who have histamine toxicity as in cases of allergies.
-Chris Aul
Naturopath & Master Herbalist
Consult a healthcare professional before starting the use of these products.
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