'Tis The Season for Sniffing, Sneezing and Itching. Breathe Easier with These Natural Allergy Remedies.
Let Dr.'s Glenn Goodman and Suzanne Kirby at SHIMA help you find which remedy is best for you and your family.
Allergies plague millions of people, and many only get marginal relief from drugs, which can also have frustrating side effects. Natural allergy remedies, however, often have fewer side effects, and can combat allergic reactions to plants such as the notorious ragweed.
As the first days of Spring arrive, thoughts often turn to the first vibrant blooms and new gardens. But if you or someone you know are among the more than 26 million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies, you may be focused more on pollen counts, the first grasses emerging, and stocking up on tissues and allergy meds than enjoying the coming warm weather.
An allergy is an overaggressive immune response triggered by ingesting certain foods, touching certain substances, or inhaling an irritant such as pollen or animal dander. Allergies to pollen, spores, mold, and dust (also called hay fever or allergic rhinitis) affect the respiratory system and are usually the most difficult to control.
Symptoms of hay fever are sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, watery eyes, itchy eyes and nose, and headache. Hay fever is often seasonal (when pollen is in the air), but if constantly exposed to an offending substance (e.g., pet dander), symptoms can last year-round.
Members of the sniffling, sneezing and itching allergy demographic typically rely on numerous drugs and sprays for relief — often with mixed results. Pharmaceutical remedies are often expensive and frequently come with unwanted side effects, such as drowsiness and nasal irritation. The sedative effects of these drugs can impair driving ability and cause a mental disconnect that many users find irritating.
Annual bouts with pollen aren’t just uncomfortable, they also take a toll on mental well-being. Studies have shown that during ragweed season, allergy sufferers often experience a general sense of fatigue — especially mental fatigue — and are more prone to feelings of sadness. People who suffer from allergies also are up to 14 times more likely to experience migraine headaches than those who don’t have allergies.
Here are several natural allergy remedies that SHIMA recommends to help control the condition so you can breathe easier, even when pollen counts are at their worst.
From a wholistic practitioner's viewpoint, allergies are often associated with weak adrenal, immune, and digestive functions. Natural treatments are used to support and improve those functions and to alleviate hay fever symptoms. For seasonal allergies, preparing 1–2 months before the season starts will help reduce the severity of symptoms. Good health can help ease allergy symptoms and even prevent them completely. We at Sag Harbor Integrative Medicine Associates believe that good health starts with great nutrition!
-Suggestions For the Allergy Season-
The following remedies -all of which we carry in our office- have been shown to be effective in acute, symptomatic relief of hay fever or allergies:
Nutrition:
First thing in the morning - drink 1 full glass of water with 1/2 a lemon or lime squeezed into it. This will start your day by diluting toxins and creating less acidity and more alkalinity in your body.
To further reduce allergy symptoms and increase general well-being keep fully hydrated throughout the rest of the day.
Include a lot of the following foods in the diet:
Dark green, leafy vegetables
Deep yellow and orange vegetables
Nettles, bamboo shoots, cabbage, beet tops, beets, carrots, yams
Onions, garlic, ginger, cayenne, horseradish
Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as found in cold water fish, walnuts and flaxseed oil.
Apple Cider Vinegar (we like the Braggs brand) is often recommended for a variety of health conditions, such as allergy relief and heartburn relief. It's ability to reduce mucous production and cleanse the lymphatic system makes it useful for allergies. It is also said to help digestion, weight loss and more. When allergies hit, mix 1 teaspoon of organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and drank this three times a day. This will help with the relief of acute allergy symptoms and help to avoid allergy attacks when done daily.
Eliminate the following from your diet (to the best of your ability):
Wheat
Dairy products
Sugar
Food colorings
Artificial Sweeteners
Peanuts- they are moldy
Reduce the following foods to the best of your ability:
Alcohol and Caffeine
Chocolate
Red Meat
Supplements and Vitamins:
HistoPlex-AB is a natural anti-allergen that specifically targets airborne allergens. It is extremely powerful and effective. It is the first thing that the practitioners at SHIMA reach for when allergies are affecting them. Select herbs provide support for the respiratory system and modulate the immune system, resulting in the easing of symptoms right away.
Pe Min Kan Wan is one of our favorite supplements for patients with congestion and sinus pressure due to allergies and the change of seasons. This formula promotes the health and well-being of sinus and nasal passages. It is also useful for respiratory system support during the cold and flu season.
Some other effective supplements that can aid in the relief of allergy symptoms are:
Probiotics (e.g., lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidus) - We carry Seroyal brand HMF Probiotics at SHIMA. We believe HMF probiotics are the most appropriate and powerful blend of probiotic strains that adhere to the lining of the gut wall even under gut challenges.
Multivitamin – We carry a number of options in our office
Vitamin C - Our favorite Vitamin C supplement that we carry is Radiance-C by Synergy. It is wonderful blend of 12 different fruits.
Vitamin D - specific dosing for adults/children
Vitamin E
Zinc
Chinese Patent Herbs
Homeopathy:
One of our favorite homeopathic remedies that
specifically targets the allergens that most impact us
here in the NorthEast US is by Professional Formulas
called Northeast Regional Allersode.
Call us or stop by to pick some up!
Singular Homeopathic Remedies- each is very symptom specific and we will help you choose the appropriate remedy
Allium cepa
Arsenicum
Euphrasia
Natrum muriaticum (Nat Mur)
Nux vomica
Wyethia
Other Suggestions:
Oriental Meridian Therapy - Make an appointment with Dr. Goodman or Dr. Kirby. They use the principles of acupuncture/meridian therapy and auricular therapy to activate points on your body/ear to balance your immune system and support centered health and well-being.
Nutritional Guidance - Our doctors are here to help you move in the direction of healing through a wonderfully balanced approach to nourishing yourself and feeling great about it.
Local "raw" Honey
Adequate Rest and Relaxation
There are many different avenues to travel down when trying to combat allergy season. SHIMA knows that it can sometimes be overwhelming and confusing. Don't go at it alone! Let Dr. Goodman and Dr. Kirby help you find the perfect treatment to get you feeling better in no time, and looking forward to the beautiful new blooms and gardens, instead of hiding from them and living in discomfort.
Call us at (631)725.3398 to make an appointment today!
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