Tiger Woods Foundation
Bigger isn't always better
Fat, Tired, Depressed or Toxic
The Main Street Pharmacy
Dr. Joan Kim
Allergy's Got You Down ?
Allergy care
This is the time of year allergy sufferers dread the most. As a pharmacist I see a drastic increase in steroid based nasal spray and antihistamine prescriptions at the beginning of each spring.
Many of our patients ask me what they can do to treat their allergy safely and effectively.
Antihistamine has its place as traditional allergy therapy, but one might consider alternative therapy if they are weary of side-effects associated with long-term medication use.
Because allergies can be related to different irritants, ranging from tree pollens to dust and pet dander, one cannot treat it as a single ailment. I usually urge the patient to improve your overall diet, reduce stress, and obtain proper support from various herbs. Herbs can balance the body’s own immune system, providing natural antihistamines as well as relieving inflammation and congestion. It also works to reduce your system’s oversensitivity to allergens.
There are many herbal and homeopathic alternatives out there, but I will just mention a few that have worked well with our patients.
Stinging Nettle (Urtica Dioica):
It decreases inflammations in allergies, asthma and hay fever. Stinging Nettle helps to thin out mucous membrane discharges and decrease itching. It also stabilizes the upper and lower respiratory tissues, and stabilizes mast cells which are the cells that release histamine which in turn causes allergic reactions.
Mullein:
Supports healthy upper respiratory tract, thins out mucus.
Astragalus Root (Astragalus membranaceus):
Enhances the immune system with nonspecific and specific immunity. It counteracts inflammation and allergies. It also increases white blood cells and increases oxidation by stimulating red blood cell formation.
Herbs ETC. has a great line of products that have a combination of these herbs, and is also available as single ingredient products as well.
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For immediate relief of allergy symptoms, I would recommend using various homeopathic remedies indicated by symptoms.
Apis mellifica: helps symptoms similar to an insect sting such as swollen lids. Apis helps with eyes that tend to be red, inflamed, burning and stinging. (Insect-based: derived from honey bees)
Cardiospermum: a plant–based ingredient that is ideal for treatment of rhinitis and runny nose.
Gaphimia glauca: a plant-based ingredient used for respiratory allergy symptoms such as runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing.
Kali bichromicum: addresses the presence of thick, greenish-yellow discharge. It is also indicated for dryness of the nasal passage, pain and pressure at the root of the nose and also for chronic sinusitis. (Mineral –based)
Luffa operculata: it is indicated for runny nose, acute rhinitis, purulent sinusitis, chronic atrophic rhinitis, head colds with pale or yellow nasal secretion and dryness of the nasal mucous. (plant-based)
Sabadilla: it is indicated for red and burning eyes, as well as runny nose, itching and sneezing rhinitis. (plant-based)
Boiron offers these homeopathic medicines as single ingredient pellets, or as combination products such as Sabadil, or Allergy kits to treat allergies, colds or sinus problems.
Similasan has combination products as well as eye drops and nasal sprays to relieve allergy symptoms immediately.
I especially like their Cold and Sinus nasal spray. It is a great product that combines various homeopathic ingredients in a normal saline nasal rinse spray. It is a safe alternative to prescription and over the counter nasal decongestants which can cause rebound congestion. I’ve received very good feedback from our patients.
I would also highly recommend sinus cleansing as a method of allergy treatment. Rather than just using a steroid based nasal spray, which can thin out the mucous membrane with extended use, using a Netti Pot or Sinus Rinse to wash away the allergens that are trapped in the sinus cavities has proven to be very effective for many of our patients over the years.
Source:homeopathy by Carlo Odermatt & Armin Speani,copyright 1993,GREMAG, Jonen, Switzerland
Lotus Materia Medica,:Homeopathic and Spagyric Medicines by Robin Murphy, ND;Lotus Star Academy,Pagosa Springs,CO;copyright 1995
Daniel Gagnon ,Amadea Morningstar,;Breathe Free,Lotus Press,SantaFe,New Mexico.
