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. 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 anti-allergenic 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.

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”.

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 flavor 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 hay fever.

Herbal Combinations and Formulas

Herbal tinctures are concentrated liquid extracts of the medicinal properties of herbs. Shake the tincture bottle well. As a dietary supplement, place 1 to 3 droppers full ~ approximately 1 tablespoon or 40 drops, under the tongue, or in juice or water as needed, 2-3 times a day.

Shake the tincture bottle well. As a dietary supplement, place 1 to 3 droppers under the tongue, or in juice or water as needed, 2-3 times a day.

Immunity Tincture – Astragalus, Pau D’Arco, Suma, Dandelion root, Oatstraw, Kelp.

BreathEasy Tincture – Lobelia, Pleurisy, Marshmallow, Mullien, Coltsfoot, Licorice.

Cough Calm Tincture – Horehound, Elecampane, Comphrey root, Wild Cherry Bark, Eucalyptus, Chickweed, Slippery Elm, Licorice.

Aromatherapy Remedies

Aromatherapy can help with hives, eczema, dermatitis, bee stings inflammation, and dryness. Essential oils that benefit pollen allergies by strengthening the immune system, reducing phlegm, and clearing sinuses, especially in a steam include Cedarwood, Cypress, Roman Chamomile, Lavender, Geranium, Pine, Tea Tree, Lemon, Myrrh, Ylang Ylang .

Cedarwood oil is deeply relaxing to the bronchial area, slows down rapid breathing in asthma, calms allergy reactions and helps the chest muscles relax to open the lungs for more air.

Chamomile Oil Chamomile essential oil is an analgesic, anti-anemic, antineuralgic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, bactericidal, carminative and works on the digestive tract.

Eucalyptus: fights bacterial and viral infections. This oil stimulated regeneration of lung tissue. It increases blood oxygen supplies allowing more oxygen as well as nutrients to be delivered to the cells throughout the body.

Ginger: stimulates the immune system. It warms the chill from winter and dampness, cools the body by inducing sweating, reduces the drainage of a runny nose and helps with respiratory infection.

Lavender: clears congestion, stuffiness and soothes respiratory and throat disorders and boosts the immunity.

Peppermint: clears sinuses and improves breathing.

Pine: fights respiratory infections and encourages the release of mucus. This oil relieves congestion and makes breathing easier.

Rosemary: helps relieve respiratory disorders, fights infection, expels phlegm and assists in lymph drainage.

Tea Tree: a cousin to eucalyptus, this oil relieve respiratory disorders, fights bacteria, viruses and fungi and has a reputation of improving immunity.

Thyme: improves immunity by boosting the production of white blood cells. This oil is great for respiratory disorders.

Not a DIY (do it yourselfer), try Andrew’s Aroma Remedy Blends: ~ 3 times a day, morning, noon and night, utilize these blends of essential oils:

Angel’s Mist Allergy Rub Essential Oil Remedy Blend

Angel’s Mist Allergy Inhalant Remedy Blend

Angel’s Mist Bath Essential Oil Remedy Blend

 Hydrotherapy

The mysterious and amazing healing power of water has been utilized for centuries. Water cleanses, refreshes and restores all life. We are always drawn to water. Be it a soothing fountain or majestic waterfall. Water is a carrier. It flows. It moves along the line of least resistance to find its way to the ocean where comes and goes in the ebb and flow of tides and waves. The appeal is inexplicable! We crave water, maybe because our bodies are made up of a large percent of it. Maybe because we instinctively know how it can heal us.

Hydrotherapy is the use of water in any form, in the treatment of dis-ease.

Steam treatments and hot showers have a cleansing effect on congestion and sinuses. If you have access to a steam room. I nice 15-20 minute steam opens sinuses and head congestion.  If you do not, try a hot, steamy shower.  Massage your sinus cavities, neck and head while you are in there.

Steam your sinuses by boiling water first. Remove the pot from the stove. Add a few drops of any two of these essential oils such as peppermint, thyme, ginger, eucalyptus, and tea tree oil to the water and then with a towel, make a tent over your head and steam your face for up 5 minutes.  See our DIY sinus steam recipe.

 Nutritional Advise

Food allergies can play a major role during childhood development and even throughout our adult lives. In children, food allergies are related before age 6. You can manipulate an infant’s diet and do well in helping their immune system. Eggs, orange juice, and milk have been implicated as suspect in children’s diet. Parents should consult with their physicians about trying the elimination diet. In general, such foods should only be eliminated. after testing them out, 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. In adult life, we can acquire an allergy toward some particular foods, depending on our immunity to them. Difficulty digesting dairy (lactose intolerant) or allergic reactions to seafood (after so many years of not having a problem with it) are perfect examples.

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.

Some studies indicate that people with sinusitis have environmental allergies. Although food allergies may also contribute to the problem, some researchers believe food allergies only rarely cause sinusitis. If other treatment approaches are unsuccessful, people with sinusitis may choose to work with a nutritionist in order to evaluate what, if any, effect elimination of food and other allergens might have on reducing their symptoms.

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.

Be sure to include these anti-inflammatory foods (if you are not allergic to them) in your diet such as:
– avocados
– tomatoes
– extra virgin olive oil
– ginger
– green leafy vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collards
– nuts like almonds and walnuts
– fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines
– fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges
– omega fatty acids
– turmeric

Water should be a very important part of any nutritional program. 6-8 eight ounce glasses a day.

Supplementation with 500 mg of Pantothenic Acid a day helps most patients suffering from allergic rhinitis, a significant predisposing factor for sinusitis. However, research has yet to investigate the effects of pantothenic acid supplementation with people who have allergies.

Histamine is associated with increased nasal and sinus congestion. Vitamin C (2,000 mg three times per day) reduced histamine levels in people with either high histamine levels or low blood levels of Vitamin C.

Bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple, has been reported to relieve symptoms of acute sinusitis.

Eliminate milk and all milk products from the diet, including prepared foods that list milk as an ingredient. An overwhelming majority of patients report dramatic improvement in sinus and allergy conditions after two months of this dietary change.

Do not smoke. Do not spend time around smokers or in smoky environments.

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.

Are you ready to get well? Try Andrew’s Allergy Elimination Diet

Healing Remedies with Sea Salt

Natural Antihistamines

Traditional Chinese Medicine

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the oldest, continually practiced, and professionally administered health care system in the world. It is a documented medical system spanning over 2,500 years based on comprehensive philosophies, rational theories, clinically tested and empirically verified by over 100 generations of highly educated practitioners.

Chinese Medicine is a total system of internal medicine, which is comprised of a diagnostic procedure based on signs, symptoms and treatment styles including acupuncture, herbal medicine, exercise, diet and meditation. It’s foundation is based on the principles of balance; the interdependent relationship of Yin and Yang. Through this balance, health is achieved and maintained.

Traditional Chinese medicine often views allergic rhinitis as related to Wind, noting that symptoms come and go rapidly, cause congestion, and make the person want to avoid windy situations. This Wind often coexists with a deficiency of the Protective or Wei Qi. The nearest we associate with Wei Qi in the West is resistance to colds and other respiratory infections. People with Wei Qi deficiency catch colds easily, and allergy symptoms may be particularly bad in the spring or fall seasons which are generally windy.

The acupuncturist also looks for constitutional or more deeply-rooted signs in each person who presents with allergic symptoms. The principle here is treating the whole person. Often people with chronic allergies show signs of Spleen or Kidney Deficiency as well as Lung signs according to TCM.

Acupuncture and herbal medicine are effective therapies for the treatment of allergies (especially if done BEFORE the season starts for you). Acupuncture redirects your Qi into a more balanced flow. It provides support to the underlying energetic spheres affected by your allergies, helping to resolve the cause or effects of allergies and allergic reactions. During pollen season, the intention of treatment is towards acute symptoms.. After pollen season has passed, or once symptoms have cleared, focus is on treating the underlying (root) problem by strengthening the immune system.

Herbal medicine is an important component for working at the root of the problem. These herbs are exceptional for sinus relief…

Emotional Aspect:

There is an emotional aspect to every illness. Often times, it is the emotional thoughts or “excess emotions” that will lead to illness. The following therapies are utilized for calming the mind, help with stress relief and focuses on our mental powers over any situation. The ability to balance your emotional, mental, physical and spiritual self are exceptional tools on your healing journey.  Here are some suggestions:

Hypnotherapy

Allergies have multiple roots. One is inherited, since these conditions are more frequent in children of parents with allergic histories. Another is in the mind and nervous system. Emotional Stress can trigger allergic reactions, and relaxation techniques can moderate them. A person who is strongly allergic to daisies may react to the sight of a plastic daisy, demonstrating the involvement of mind over body in the learned aspect of these inappropriate immune responses.

Allergies cross-over the mind/body border. There is no question about its physical reality, since you can die from an allergic reaction, but you can also make it vanish by changing your mental and emotional state. It is a fact that severe cases disappear when people switched jobs, left a spouse, or eliminated sources of stress. One way to take advantage of the mind/body connection in search of allergy relief, is to experiment with hypnotherapy. Hypnosis can lessen or completely prevent allergic reactions and can facilitate the immune system’s unlearning of its pointless habits. Contact Andrew for a local Hypnotherapist.

The Metaphysical Connection to the Nose

Our nose represent our own self recognition. Therefore, a symbol of intuitive discernment, taking in and sniffing out the truth.

Our sense of smell is the most direct path to our emotions. What are you not recognizing? Is it your self worth (congested), not being recognized (bleeding), or runny (asking for help or crying)?

Once the Olfactory receptors identify an aroma > nerve cells relay this information directly to the Limbic system of the brain.

Here, aromas can trigger memories and influence behavior.

Additionally, the Limbic system works in conjunction with the pituitary gland and the > Hypothalamus region of the brain to regulate the hormonal activities > thus triggering the production of hormones that govern >

• appetite, body temperature, insulin production, overall metabolism, stress levels , sex drive , and conscious thought and reactions. > The Limbic system also influences immunity.