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It’s that time of year again... allergy season. Your eyes are itchy and watery. You’re sneezing and coughing. You look and feel like you have a cold, and probably wish you did, because that actually passes in a few days. When you’re an allergy sufferer, the misery can go on for months. Seasonal allergies affect more than 22 million Americans, with symptoms occurring anywhere from early spring through late November. An allergy is nothing but a misplaced immune reaction of our body—a hypersensitive response to certain substances called allergens. If you’d rather not pop antihistamines or spray medicine up your nose or down your throat, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are all-natural ways to handle allergies.
Mother Nature to the Rescue
Honey sure tastes sweet in your tea, but did you know it can also help soothe your allergies? “My favorite advice for patients suffering from environmental allergies is locally grown honey,” says Andrea E. Huggler, licensed acupuncturist and director of LI Holistic Health Associates. “Allergies arise from continuous overexposure to the same allergens. Honey contains bits and pieces of pollen (allergen), and as an immune system booster, it is quite powerful.” According to Huggler, the honey should be harvested as locally as possible to contain the same allergens a person may be exposed to. “By consuming two or more teaspoons of local honey each day, you are delivering allergens in small, manageable doses and the effect over time is very much like that from undergoing a whole series of allergy/immunotherapy injections,” she continues.
Green tea is another widely used remedy. Research indicates that people who drink green tea regularly have fewer symptoms of coughing and sneezing. The purest form of green tea is the most effective. Start with one cup a day and increase to three cups as needed. Not a fan of green tea? Try peppermint, which is used to help relieve congestion. In warmer weather, it tastes refreshing iced and can help relieve sinus problems and coughs.
Herbal Remedies
Here are some supplements that can help relieve seasonal allergies. Remember, natural remedies don’t work as quickly as over-the-counter antihistamines, so it is best to start taking them at least a month before allergy season begins. If you start trying them in the middle of allergy season, give them a few weeks to see if they work for you. (Of course, if you are pregnant or nursing, consult with your doctor first.)
Nettle (Urtica dioica): Has long been used as a treatment for seasonal allergies. Be careful not to confuse this herb with another species, U. Urens, which contains high levels of leukotrienes and histamine. Dosage: 250 mg freeze-dried extract every 2 to 4 hours or until symptoms subside.
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea): An immune-enhancing supplement; increases the production of a number of T-cells and their distribution in the blood. Dosage: 350 mg 3 times a day.
Quercetin: A natural plant-derived compound called a bioflavonoid, quercetin helps stabilize and prevent cells from releasing histamine. Citrus fruits, onions, apples, parsley, tea, tomatoes, broccoli, lettuce, and wine are naturally high in quercetin, but allergy sufferers will most likely need to use supplements to build up enough of this compound to prevent attacks. Dosage: about 1,000 mg a day, taken between meals.
Acupuncture for Allergies
Acupuncture has been shown to have remarkable results in reducing allergy symptoms. This ancient Chinese practice works by inserting thin needles into specific points in the body to stimulate specific body systems. In Chinese medicine, allergies are considered a problem of the wei qi (pronounced “way chee”), or protective qi—the protective energy that circulates on the surface of the body, keeping out foreign substances and pathogens. When an allergen gets in far enough to cause a full-blown immune response, it means the outer protective layer needs to be strengthened. The strategy is to strengthen the underlying systems that support the wei qi, so it can do its job of keeping irritants out. “Western medicine is great for emergencies; [for allergies] treatment may include a prescription to alleviate symptoms. Medications can have serious side effects, though,” says Evangelina Jacobson, who is board certified in Chinese Herbs and Oriental Medicine and president of Acupuncture Yin Yang, in Bellmore. “Oriental medicine is able to address and treat allergies without the side effects of traditional medications. In my opinion, Oriental medicine should be the initial course of treatment for allergies.”
Holistic Relief
Acupuncture Yin Yang
Offices in Bellmore
www.acupunctureyinyang.com
LI Holistic Health Associates
Offices in Babylon Village, Lake Success, and Woodmere
www.liholistic.com
Integrative Healing Institute
Aromatherapy allergy relief
www.naturalreflexes.com
