Alternative Remedies for Seasonal Allergies
When my hay fever is at its worst, I take a prescription antihistamine. But I’m only able to take them for a few weeks or so and then the side-effects become insupportable, and our allergy season lasts several months. Not only that, sometimes the antihistamine I use isn’t enough to manage my symptoms. By using the following natural remedies, I can comfortably make it through our long, intense allergy season. And some lucky people with only mild to moderate symptoms might find that a combination of the following methods are all that they need.
Two helpful preventative measures are to take the supplement quercetin (a bioflavonoid found in various fruits and grains that seems to suppress the body’s formation of histamine) and homeopathic allergy remedies. Both of these remedies work best if you start taking them regularly a full month before the time you usually experience symptoms, which in our part of the world usually start sometime in March.
Even if you’ve missed that window, though, taking both of these remedies can help alleviate symptoms in full-blown hay fever season. The most effective homeopathic remedies I’ve discovered in my twenty years of experimenting are Bioenergetics’ Allergy Drops, Unda Allergiplex, and Heel’s Histamin. You can order from Bioenergetics by phone (1-800-334-4043). Allergiplex is available online from a number of vendors—just google “Unda Allergiplex—and you can also obtain Heel’s Histamin online, including from Amazon.com.
A Western herb that has natural antihistamine properties is Stinging Nettles, available at any good health food store. Dr. Andrew Weil, the integrative family practice guru, recommends using nettles that are freeze-dried, however, which are not always readily available. But if you can’t obtain them from your local sources, you can order them online; both the Eclectic Institute and Planetary Herbals make a good product.
A traditional Chinese herbal remedy that relieves hay fever symptoms is Xanthium Relieve Surface, made by Health Concerns and available online.
Nasal irrigation is a helpful method for rinsing pollen out of your sinuses, which can provide some blessed relief. The technique that was suggested to me by my acupuncturist at the time is to make up a weak saline solution (a half-teaspoon of sea salt to one cup warm water) and use a rubber bulb to irrigate my sinuses. I draw the saline solution into the bulb, insert the tip into one nostril, and squeeze, very gently!!!. Then I transfer the bulb to the other nostril. If I fill the bulb with saline solution, about a quarter to a third of the volume is enough for one application. I just keep repeating the process until I feel I’ve cleared out my sinuses. Have lots of tissues handy (you’re going to want to blow your nose each time you irrigate each nostril—again, gently!), and do this in front of the sink. I usually don’t use the entire cup of saline solution that I’ve made up. But toss any that’s leftover and make up a new solution each time. It’s a pretty messy process but feels very good once you’re all done. Another method is to use a Neti pot. I’ve never used one, but some people swear by them. I admit that I don’t like putting anything up my nose—it just feels wrong—but it really can help and once you get used to it, it’s not so bad.
For stuffed-up, congested sinuses, I’ve always liked the nasal spray Sinusin (formerly known as Euphorbium), manufactured by Heel. Not only does it work well, you don’t have worry about rebound effects the way you do over-the-counter pharmaceutical nasal sprays.
For itchy eyes, you can try Similasan’s Allergy Eye Drops, which are an herbal remedy found at most health food stores. What I also love—and I mean, love—is using Green Myrtle hydrosol. I take a cotton square and soak it in cold water, then spray about 12 spritzes of the hydrosol on the wet square and then gently wipe my eyes with it. It’s okay to get some in your eyes, and in fact, I find that it feels good (Myrtle hydrosol is also used for conjunctivitis). You can get medicinal quality Green Myrtle hydrosol from Original Swiss Aromatics. Keep it refrigerated after you get it, to keep it fresh, and to enhance the soothing quality to your poor, hot, itchy eyes.
Another nice remedy to keep on hand is Allergan’s Refresh eye drops in the individual, single-use plastic vials. They are mainly just a lubricant, but they can help to wash out pollen and this product has no preservatives the way that bottles of eye drops usually do. Even just splashing cold water on your eyes several times a day can help. One other thing I like to do is gently smooth a bit of Traumeel ointment (also made by Heel) around my eyes after rinsing them, both to moisturize the skin and to add a little anti-inflammatory cream to the area. A lot of the discomfort of an allergic reaction is related to inflammation. Take care, though, that you don’t get the ointment in your eyes.
Don’t dry your clothes outside during allergy season if you suffer from allergies, and take a shower after spending time outdoors (use cool water on your face; warm or hot water can inflame eye tissue that’s irritated from pollen or other allergens).
For more permanent relief, you can try NAET, which I discuss in my blog post, “How I Cleared Up My Asthma.” It’s a commitment and an undertaking, but not only did I manage to clear up my lifelong asthma with this method, my hay fever symptoms in the spring are only a fraction as miserable as they used to be.
Whenever plotting your strategy to deal with a health issue as comprehensive as allergies, or adding herbs or supplements to your health regimen, be sure to discuss your plans with your primary health care provider. Use the above suggestions with common sense and at your own risk. And I hope that these approaches will help to make spring much more enjoyable for you!
Monday, March 29, 2010