Health Food Geeks ? Natural Remedies for Allergies

July 25th, 2011

Posted by : jeffpenca

Most of us suffer from allergies due to various reasons. Only the intensity and extent varies from person to person. Especially with the onset of spring, millions around the world experience the onset of allergy symptoms.
While the prescription antihistamines and over the counter drugs are effective, they usually result in side effects. This is the reason why many reach out for natural remedies for allergies.
Allergies can be life debilitating. Some of the common allergy symptoms that disrupt your life include headache, runny nose, itchy roof of the mouth, itchy eyes, wheezing and watery red eyes. Other symptoms that cause a lot of issues include pollenosis, allergic rhinitis and hay fever. Here are a few natural remedies for allergies that offer considerable relief from symptoms ?
Hay fever symptoms can be greatly reduced by using the herb called Butterbur. This herb is known to reduce leukotrienes and histamine levels in the body with its anti-inflammatory property. These are allergy causing chemicals. Studies in fact show that butterbur is as effective to control symptoms of hay fever as medications such as cetrizine and fexofenadine. Studies have shown that nasal symptoms can be effectively reduced with fexofenadine or butterbur and many patients prefer the natural alternative.
Fruits and vegetables such as grapes, berries, apples and red onions are rich in Quercetin, the antioxidant. This antioxidant is found to have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy properties. Flavonoid contained in them blocks the allergy creating histamine and other substances. According to a recent study, eye symptoms associated with hay fever are greatly reduced by quercetin. Suggested dosage is two to four hundred milligrams thrice a day.
Sinus and nasal passages blocks can be cleared with a solution of goldenseal and salt water. This solution helps wash away mucus and allergens. Solution can be held in a squeeze bottle. You can make the solution on your own or can purchase a premixed saline solution packet.
Solution can be made combining sixteen ounces of boiled or distilled water, half a teaspoon baking soda, one teaspoon non-iodized salt and one and a half teaspoon goldenseal extract. Squeeze the solution gently into the nostril and allow it to drain holding your head over the sink.
Activities of pro-inflammatory substances, mast cell tryptase and histamine are reduced to a great extent by stinging nettle as studies show. These are all substances that cause hay fever. Planta Medica has published a study report that shows that it is possible to obtain relief from most of the symptoms with the help of 600 mg of nettle leaf freeze dried.
Most of the patients on whom the study was conducted felt that stinging nettle is more effective as compared to over the counter medications. You can follow the directions given on the supplement or ask your doctor regarding the dosage.
As compared to conventional medications, natural remedies are thus found to be very effective for allergy relief. Consult a reliable health care provider before you start on any natural allergy relief remedies. They will be able to tell you all about how to take your dosage in the exact required amounts.

Health Food Geek

Source: http://healthfoodgeeks.com/?p=400

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