Allergies: aaah-chooo, oh my! 

Tree pollens start floating freely in the air in February, harkening the coming months of allergic dis-tress for millions.

Prevention is always the best defense for allergies and the bothersome symptoms that go along with them.  Don’t forget, however, that your sometime troublesome symptoms result from your body protecting you from these invaders.

Most of us know what to do inside to diminish airborne allergy reactions.  Avoid using over-the-counter anti-histamines or steroid medications often prescribed by your doctor.  These medications interfere with your body’s natural defense mechanisms.  Overuse of these products seriously effect mucous membrane and immune system function with on-going use.

Of course keep dust under control, and go carpet free if possible. Wash clothes and bedding frequently in hot water.  Avoid any perfumed soap, cleaners, laundry products, and especially scented fabric softeners.  Keep your windows closed on high pollen count days. Take showers at night to clean off pollen and dust from your hair and body.   Invest in a high quality air cleaner to keep pollen, dust, and dander under control.  Ionizers available for use in your car are helpful when you are driving.

These tactics, along with some daily exercise, help a sensitive immune system react less, release less histamine, reducing symptoms and stress.  Less sinus, lung, and gastrointestinal congestion will be the result.

Watery and itchy eyes, a runny nose, fatigue and mood swings often accompany hay fever.  About 25 percent of people of all ages are affected each year.  With the lowering of environmental protection this number can easily be expected to increase.

An over-reactive immune system is involved in allergy.  Most people think that their immune system is weak when allergies strike, and they choose immune enhancing herbs or supplements.  In some cases this is true, but for most people the approach needs to be broad based, in the direction of soothing over-reactive cells.  

Here are some tips to help you safely navigate the coming allergy season.

Drink 8 – 10 glasses of distilled or other pure water daily to dilute circulating allergens.

Get enough sleep to help your body rest and restore.

Eat a healthy and nutritional diet choosing organic food when possible.  Eat a varied diet with some fresh fruit in season and lots of vegetables. For a few days the mono diet can help reduce allergic reactions. You might want to get a copy of our ‘Healthy Food Soak’ that helps make your food cleaner and safer.

Eat adequate protein to support adrenal function and repair of your body. Be cautious of soy because it is highly allergenic and suppresses endocrine health.

Often good digestive enzymes containing protease and Betaine Hydrochloride taken with food reduces reactions to allergens.  Most often it is the protein in a substance that causes us to react.

Avoid sugar and artificial sweeteners that suppress immune function.

Vitamin C is nature’s anti-histamine.  Use the calcium ascorbate form or food based vitamin C.  Take it throughout the day at the highest amount you can tolerate. NorthCreek Herbal makes C5 and C5 +, both food based vitamin C powders. 

Vitamin A helps to support the mucous membrane.  Along with zinc it works to raise antibody levels.

Vitamin B complex supports the adrenal glands, often stressed in cases of allergy.  Add vitamins B5 to support adrenal hormones and B15 to carry oxygen through your body.   B6 and B12 help build antibodies.

Vitamin E in a natural form helps protect cells against allergy.

Minerals help protect you from allergy so try a good multi-mineral combination.  We have an herbal mineral combination that works well.  Magnesium levels are often low in people with allergies.

Raw Local honey and bee pollen is a traditional food combination for allergy support.  These wonder foods contain many nutrients and enzymes necessary for health.  Homeopathic Apis is a bee related remedy used for allergy.

Nettle is a source of natural anti-histamines.  The best time to start taking nettle is about a month or two before allergy season begins. 

Onions are high in a substance called quercetin found helpful for some suffering with allergies.  There are quercetin supplements but these are often highly priced.

Marshmallow Root soothes the mucous membrane lining of the lungs and intestinal system, while helping to remove mucus and promote healing.  Used with the deep immune enhancing herb astragalus you’ll have a strong health building combination.

Burdock root is a good liver-cleansing herb to keep the level of circulating allergens in the blood to a minimum.

Grapes contain high levels of anti-oxidants and help clean the lungs.  Mixing organic grape juice with nutritional yeast and fresh wheat germ strengthens cells and can stop invading bacteria.

Brown Rice is high in fiber is often considered an anti-allergy food.

Fruits with stones (pits) like peaches, apricots, plums, and nectarines help ease sensitivities and build resistance to allergens.

Garlic eaten fresh fights allergy naturally, contains selenium, and fights bronchial spasm.   Steep peeled garlic clove in raw honey for 10 minutes before chewing to avoid stinging.  Fresh parsley helps fight allergies and garlic odor too.

Green vegetables supply many substances useful in the allergy-fighting arsenal.

Raw nuts provide protein, essential fatty acids, important vitamins and minerals, and many health-promoting enzymes that help strengthen against allergies.  The amount needed is about one-quarter cup daily.

With nature on your side you’ll be sure to have a easier time as well as a good chance to overcome your allergies all together.

As with any health program you undertake be sure to stay in touch with your health care provider.