Herbal Treatment for Allergy Sufferers
by Aleks Strande, N.D., Ph.D.

If you are one of the 35 million Americans who suffer from allergies, the changing of the seasons means more than just a new wardrobe or plans for vacation-it signals the start of seasonal allergies. Symptoms commonly include watery eyes, runny nose, uncontrollable sneezing, sinus headaches, itchy hives or rashes, and other irritations of the skin. Some also experience shortness of breath and wheezing.

What causes Allergies?
An allergy often develops when your immune system views a harmless substance (like a flower) as a dangerous threat. Your body reacts by generating antibodies that stay on alert for when this particular allergen resurfaces. The next time you come in contact with it, the antibodies react-releasing immune system chemicals (like histamine). Allergy symptoms are often the result. The majority of allergies develop during childhood and early adulthood. Also, you face a greater chance of suffering from allergies when family members show a history. Some of the most common triggers for allergies are:

• Food
• Insects
• Airborne Allergens
• Medications
• Chemicals and Ingredients
• Skin Reactions

Relief of Allergy Symptoms
For many allergy sufferers, relief is just a drugstore counter away - with a wide variety of traditional over-the-counter medications available to help. Treating allergies with over-the-counter antihistamines may provide some relief but often at the cost of unwelcome side effects. More and more allergy sufferers are turning to Mother Nature, with a variety of all-natural treatments that studies have shown can not only help but get to the root of your allergy problem – often without many of the troubling side effects ascribed to traditional care. There are many herbal remedies that can help relieve many of your allergy symptoms. For those of you who would like to avoid taking medication, consider the following cures for allergies:

• a.) Wild Cherry Bark - This remedy works to clear the throat and nasal passages when you have a persistent cough. Wild Cherry Bark appears to have properties in the body that are similar to codeine, a popular cough suppressant and pain reliever. Wild cherry bark, like codeine, relaxes the muscles of the esophagus, throat and lungs, suppressing the cough reflex. Wild Cherry Bark is an expectorant, helping free mucous that can cause coughing and lung congestion.
• b.) Goldenseal – There are many uses for Goldenseal. They can be used alone or in conjunction with other herbs. Goldenseal can be added to a saline (salt water) nasal spray to wash out pollen and reduce or thin mucous. Goldenseal has astringent and local antibacterial properties which can help fight green or yellow nasal mucus.
• c.) Butterbur – In clinical studies, Butterbur has been shown to be as effective as the leading allergy drugs Zyrtec® and Allegra®. Butterbur’s principal active constituents include petasin and isopetasin, phytochemicals that may reduce spasms in smooth muscle and relax swollen nasal membranes.

Cooking Up Relief
Natural Herbs and Supplements are not the only relief for allergy symptoms. Many nutrients needed, such as grape seed extract and a flavonoid compound known as quercetin, occur naturally in many foods, and are especially abundant in red wine. Quercetin is packed with antioxidants and gives your immune system a boost, as well as control allergy symptoms, such as wheezing, sneezing, and inflamed eyes. There is also some evidence that quercetin may control the release of histamine. Foods rich in quercetin are garlic, onion, and even apples.

Allergy relief can also be found in the form of hot, spicy foods. Cayenne pepper, hot ginger, and fenugreek which all contain capsicum, can help clear nasal passages and thin mucous secretions.

If you suffer from ragweed or other weed pollen allergies, you should avoid eating melon, banana, cucumber, sunflower seeds, chamomile, and any herbal supplements containing Echinacea, all of which can makes symptoms worse. Food intolerance may be far more entwined with seasonal allergies than we realize. Paying attention to your diet and cutting out foods that seem to provoke even a mild sensitivity. In doing so, you can lighten the burden on your immune system, which in turn may help reduce the impact of seasonal allergic reactions.

Before taking an herbal remedy for allergies, please consult a doctor. Natural remedies are available using liquid herbs. Most patients start seeing results within 7 days. Allergy relief is available to you within your reach. We are just a phone call away. Please visit us at www.simplyhealingclinic.com or call us to set up a consultation on 713.660.1420. We do long distance phone/Skype consultations with people from all around the world.