Alternative Answers for Allergies

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Alternative Answers for Allergies

Why people develop allergies remains a mystery in the medical

community. Until we know more about allergies, the best line of defense

is to eliminate the offending agents. Sneezing, runny nose, watery

eyes, sinus congestion, hives, swelling are all symptoms of allergies.

Allergies can affect almost any area of the body. Substances that

irritate the skin, allergic reactions to drugs, detergents, and other

chemicals are all culprits. Also, grass, cow products, house dust,

pets, wheat, colorants, additives and preservatives are all

possibilities.

Dust Mites. The dust mite is an almost-microscopic relative of ticks

and spiders. But the living mite is not the problem. It's the fecal

material they expel in their wanderings about our carpets and

furniture—their primary residences—and the bodies of dead mites that

cause reactions.

Mold. Mold grows wherever it's dark and humid—under your carpet, in the

basement. It just doesn't matter which one you encounter. Inhale any

one of them, and if you are allergic, you'll start sneezing.

Hay fever is an allergic condition triggered by inhalant substances

(frequently pollens), which leads to sneezing and inflammation of the

nose and conjunctiva of the eyes.

Any skin inflammation may be considered Dermatitis. Redness, scaling,

and thickening of the skin may occur with dermatitis. Pinpointing the

cause of the problem is the first step toward alleviating the symptoms.

Eczema is a type of dermatitis that is allergy related. It appears as

dry, cracking, crusting and red patches on the skin. Often there are

swelling, weeping blisters. The skin can become inflamed and itchy.

Many factors can contribute to eczema. Stress is a major factor.

Exposure to cleaning compounds, perfumes, detergents, household

chemicals, soaps, food allergies, as well as, nutrient deficiencies.

Hives are lumps or weals that are very itchy. They can appear all of a

sudden. They can be related to a particular food or as another

complication from allergies; stress.

Anaphylactic shock. This is the most serious of allergic reactions. It

can kill by suffocation, the result of swelling of the larynx and

obstruction of the airway. Anaphylactic shock can occur in response to

insect stings, ingestion of allergenic foods in sensitive individuals,

and injected or swallowed doses of medication. It is a medical

emergency, but it can be treated effectively. An injection of adrenalin

(administered under medical supervision) will usually end the reaction

promptly.

It is known that white blood cells (also known as lymphocytes) are a

fundamental component of the immune system that protects our bodies

from invaders. When they make a mistake, an allergic response can

occur. When a lymphocyte encounters a particle or cell and identifies

it as a foreign invader, it produces antibodies specifically engineered

to fight that particular threat. There are five basic types of

antibodies, called immunoglobulins, or Igs. Each is classified by type

with a letter suffix: IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG and IgM. The Ig known to be

responsible for most allergic reactions to food is IgE, although IgG is

also commonly mentioned.

IgE allergies occur when the immune system, in an effort to reject a

certain food or other substance, creates an antibody to that food,

immunoglobulin E. In other words, the blood cells of an allergic person

are " misinformed' at the genetic level and cause the production of

large quantities of IgE antibodies. The antibody becomes attached on

one side to the food/substance molecule and on the other side to a mast

cell (mast cells are a type of cell containing histamine and other

allergy mediators instrumental in the allergic response). When this

happens, histamines and other chemicals are released from the mast

cells, causing such immediate responses as runny nose, itchy eyes, skin

rashes and indigestion. IgE can cause anaphylaxis, an extreme,

sometimes even life-threatening response in which the airways swell,

sometimes to the point where the person cannot breathe.

The most common tests for food allergies are IgE skin tests, where the

skin is scratched or pricked and allergens such as wheat, eggs and milk

are applied. Within 15 to 30 minutes, local reaction may occur. Other

types of tests include blood tests and patch skin tests. However, there

are reports that blood testing for food allergies provides more

reliable results than skin testing. The latter are problematic because

of their tendency to yield false positives. This means that people may

show a positive result but are still able to eat a certain food. To

summarize this difficult and confusing field, it appears that the

efficacy of all allergy testing is under suspicion.

Herbal Remedies

Herbs that are beneficial for allergies (if you are not allergic to

them) are Burdock Root, Dandelion, and Echinacea. These herbs help to

purify the blood, boost the immune system and improves organ function.

Bee Pollen can strengthen the immune system. Start with a few drops at

a time and work up to a dropper 2-3 times a day. Coenzyme Q10 improves

oxygenation and immunity. 30 mgs, twice daily. In traditional medicine,

some herbs whose pollen can cause symptoms of hay fever have been used

as a way to reduce symptoms of hay fever, which is the homeopathic

theory of " like cures like " . The most important of these are Goldenrod

and Ragweed (Ambrosia ambrosioides). Eyebright and Elder also have a

reputation for use as hay fever remedies. However, an individual

allergic to one of these plants should avoid them unless under the care

of a doctor of natural medicine.

Bee Pollen - has been used to build up the immune system to to fight

colds and to counteract depression. Bee pollen has also been used

internally to increase antiallergenic properties to enhance the immune

system against allergies to pollen.

Burdock Root - Burdock root contains high amounts of inulin and

mucilage. This may explain its soothing effects on the gastrointestinal

tract. Bitter constituents in the root may also explain the traditional

use of burdock to improve digestion. It also contains polyacetylenes

that have been shown to have antimicrobial activity.

Dandelion - Dandelion is a natural diuretic that increases urine

production by promoting the excretion of salts and water from the

kidney. Dandelion may be used for a wide range of conditions requiring

mild diuretic treatment such as poor digestion, liver disorders, and

high blood pressure.

Echinacea - Echinacea is another herb useful for the relief of allergy

symptoms. With a rich history of use in Native American traditions,

echinacea possesses natural anti-inflammatory properties. Echinacea

also helps relieve the symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections

and is useful for sore throats and even acne.

Green drinks - green drinks are filled with antioxidants and other

nutrients, which help to detox the body. Detoxification can calm

allergy symptoms by helping to flush out toxic build up in the system.

Made from spirulina, wheat and barley grasses, these drinks are one of

the best allergy medicines.

Nettle Leaf - Nettle leaf can help in the reduction in symptoms of hay

fever, including sneezing and itchy eyes. For help with hay fever

symptoms, consider taking 450 mg of Nettle Leaf capsules or tablets two

to three times per day, or a 2–4 ml tincture, three times per day. Do

not take this herb if you have high blood pressure.

Horseradish - The " heating " qualities of horseradish are a clue to its

most popular therapeutic use: clearing up nasal and chest congestion.

As well as helping to clear the respiratory passages and eliminate

excess mucus, this herb is effective for the relief of cough symptoms

and sinusitis.

Garlic - One of the oldest recorded culinary spices, garlic (Allium

sativum) is mentioned as a food in the Bible, and is known to have been

part of the diet of Egyptian workers as long ago as 2600 BC. It is the

dominant flavour in much of Mediterranean cuisine, but is also a more

subtle addition to many Asian dishes. But alongside its popularity in

food, garlic has a long history of medicinal use – a traditional

history that has gained increasing recognition from science. Garlic

preparations have long been used to relieve the congestion of colds and

hayfever.

Reishi Mushrooms, Ganoderma lucidum, (Ling Zhi) is documented to have

great medicinal value. The reishi extract has been shown to be

effective in clearing up a large variety of skin allergic conditions

either due to food or airborne allergens. Ganoderma extract has been

found to be useful in detoxifying the kidneys and improving its overall

function.

Steam treatments and hot baths have a cleansing effect on allergies.

Instructions for a warm bath: Fill your bathtub with water slightly

warmer than body temperature, around 97° to 101°F (You can check the

temperature of the water with a regular thermometer.) As the tub fills

with water add 2 spoons of sea salt to the bath water for a soothing,

skin cleansing soak. Submerging as much of your body as possible, stay

in the bath for at least 20 minutes, adding water as needed to maintain

the temperature of the bath.

Steam Inhalation - First, boiling water. Remove the pot from the stove.

Add a few drops of lavender, eucalyptus and tea tree oil or the other

oils listed above to the water and then with a towel, make a tent over

your head and inhale the steam for 10-15 minutes. Add just a few drops

of one - three oils only.

Consider cleansing the nasal passages with a Neti Pot. This Ayurvedic

solution has been used for centuries to keep the nasal passages clear

of mucus and congestion.

Nutritional Advise

Water is essential in any healing process. Spring water is the best. 6-8 eight ounces glasses per day.

Be sure to include these anti-inflammatory foods in your diet such as

avacados, extra virgin olive oil, ginger, omega fatty acids and

tumeric.

Diet can greatly influence allergic responsiveness or lack of it, as

can exposure to potentially irritating substances at critical times in

one's development. Excessive protein may irritate the immune system and

keep it in a state of over reactivity. The protein in cow's milk,

specifically, is a frequent offender, and for people with a genetic

predisposition to allergy it may be a hidden cause of problems. One

general treatment strategy, therefore, is to follow a low-protein diet

and try to eliminate milk and milk products.

Food allergies can play a major role during childhood. They are related

before age 6. You can manipulate an infant's diet and do well in

helping their skin. Eggs, orange juice, and milk have been implicated

as aggravators in children. Parents should consult with their

physicians about trying elimination diets. In general, these are foods

that should not be eliminated. It is only after testing them out by, by

first eliminating them and then re-introducing them back into the diet.

Such diets seem to work best in infants less than 2 years old. After

age 6, it is believed by experts that food plays a minimal role in most

people.

Garlic rich in sulfur and antioxidants make it a great choice for

reducing allergies and asthma symptoms by naturally boosting the immune

system. Try one gram or a clove of garlic daily.

For adults, diet manipulation should be undergone by each individual.

If you think there's any food you eat that has an adverse effect on

your body, avoid it and see what happens, If your problem clears up,

you may have a food allergy.

Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac

http://peacefulmind.com/allergies.htm

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