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Alternative Approaches to Allergy Relief
Attitudes toward allergy treatments have been changing and more and more,
people are open to exploring alternative techniques. Acupuncture, homeopathy
and yoga are just a few treatments you might want to learn about.
Natural remedies can often help relieve allergies and promote healing,
including such herbal preparations as:
Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapples inhibits pro-inflammatory compounds
to improve circulation and reduce inflammation.
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) has anti-inflammatory properties.
Ginkgo biloba improves blood flow and protects the body from the damage caused
by free radicals.
Green Tea Extract (Theasinensis) is anti-inflammatory, protects cells from
bacterial infections, lowers cholesterol and regulates blood sugar.
Echinacea lessens the body’s allergic response.
Euphrasia, also called eyebright, is used to treat nasal discharge.
Licorice root extract has anti-allergic properties. It increases energy,
hydrates the lungs, and strengthens digestion.
Selenium protects against cellular damage and stimulates immune function. In
addition, it is believed to improve the function of vitamin C.
St. John’s Wort is known to relieve sinus headaches.
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) reportedly works as well as many
anti-histamine medications.
A tincture of benzoin, also known as balsam, is applied topically to the nasal
passages or inhaled to relieve sinus problems.
Please note that there are few, if any, standards regarding dosages of herbal
supplements, so use these preparations with care.
The importance of taking daily vitamin and mineral supplements cannot be
over-emphasized. B-complex vitamins increase energy and calcium inhibits
histamine production, as does vitamin C. Magnesium lessens allergic reactions
and is also a detoxification agent.
Chronic stress, including anxiety and depression, often worsens allergies,
since stressful situations affect the immune system. Stress management is one
solution, when stressors cannot be eliminated. Meditation, yoga and other
forms of relaxation can help reduce stress levels. Acupuncture improves energy
flow and can reduce inflammation and regulate blood flow. Studies show that
acupuncture can also improve immune function. Some insurance companies will
cover the cost of acupuncture treatments.
One simple practice that is not widely known is called inversion, which
involves raising your lower body so that your legs are higher than your head.
This can help relieve sinus pressure and other allergy symptoms. Inversion
causes increased oxygen flow to your brain and can clear your nasal passages.
Hypnosis is another way to find relief from severe allergies. It has proved to
be effective in improving immune function in some patients. There can be
unknown emotional triggers causing allergic reactions that hypnosis can
address.
It is worth investigating whether
psychological issues are the basis for some people’s allergic reactions, which
is a radical concept for many. Understanding the emotional issues that can
cause allergies allows us to attack the problem from an entirely new
perspective. Conventional medicine teaches us that allergies are our bodies’
reactions to chemicals or other substances in our physical environment.
Perhaps stress plays a bigger role in
creating allergies than we know, and behavioral conditioning and other
non-medical therapies may one day become our treatments of choice.
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