Seasonal Allergies

By Katharina Riedener

It happens to millions of people every year. The stuffy head, watery eyes, runny nose and sneezing that signals seasonal allergies. The good news is that there are numerous mind, body, spirit remedies that can help you feel better. International studies show that natural approaches are highly effective in improving allergies. So before you decide to get prescription or over-counter drugs please consider the natural way of approaching the symptoms of allergies.

There are a few factors that you should consider if suffering from allergies.

Diet:
About 20 % of our immune system cells are in the intestines, so diet plays a big role in immune function. Fruits and vegetables with the deepest hues, such as berries, spinach and red grapes, are highest in antioxidants, which help prevent the free radical damage to cells that weakens immunity. Vitamins C and E and beta-carotene (also found in brightly coloured  produce) have anti-inflammatory properties that may help decrease the swelling in the airways that causes congestion. Stay away from sugar, food additives and avoid excessive dairy and wheat intake! These are known to produce excess mucus, which causes congestion and nasal irritation. Eat spicy foods, they can increase blood flow, which brings oxygen to the nasal passages and helps thin and eliminate mucus. Drink lots of water, fluids help clear airways by hydrating mucous membranes. The wetter the membrane, the thinner the mucus and the more easily it can drain.

Body:
Exercise on a regular base! When your body is exposed to an allergen it releases histamine, a substance that causes inflammation and irritation in the airways and eyes. Moderate aerobic exercise strengthens you immune system, making it less sensitive to allergens. Exercise also helps organs affected-such as the nasal passages, lungs and sinuses-function optimally by improving blood flow.
Relaxation and breathing exercises help to relax muscles and thus open up airways. Lowering you stress levels enables your immune system to function better and reduce the production of histamines.
If you are really stuffed up, steam your face over steaming hot water, covering your head with a towel, or in a hot shower.

Homeopathic Remedies for Allergies

Allium Cepa (Red Onion)

Reactions similar to the reaction when cutting raw onions. Burning in eyes with light sensitivity. Runny, watery nose with sneezing.
Ambrosia (Hogweed)
Watery runny nose with stuffed up feeling in nose and head. Irritation of airways with asthmatic cough and wheezing. Burning and intolerable itching of eyelids.

Euphrasia (Eye-Bright)

Eye symptoms  with constant watering, irritation, burning and swelling; pressure in eyes with full feeling, inflammation with discharge. Catarrh with violent cough.

Sabadilla (Cevadilla Seed)

Spasmodic, violent sneezing with itchy, watery nose. Catarrh with frontal pain in sinuses and eyes. Person is chilly and very sensitive to cold.

Written by and submitted to wwwOKinHealth.com by

Katharina started practicing full time in 1999 in Red Deer Alberta and had a busy family practice until October 2004. With her husband they decided to move to the beautiful Okanagan and now has setup her practice in Osoyoos. The philosophy of her practice is to be a family practitioner that can be approached by all family members, including pets, for any kind of ailments at any time. Katharina can be reached at 250 485-8333, www.homeokat.com