Natural Health Remedies - For Your Body and Mind

A Natural Approach to Treatment and Prevention of this Common Allergy Condition

By Consumer Health Advocate, Frank Mangano

Hay fever, which is also known as allergic rhinitis, is a condition that usually does not involve hay and is actually not a fever. It is believed that the condition was termed hay fever because years ago, people would sneeze, have nasal congestion, and eye irritation while harvesting field hay. The truth is only a small percentage of the substances found in hay cause allergic rhinitis.

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis or hay fever include:

Nasal Congestion
Runny Nose
Sneezing
Itchy eyes & Nose
Tearing in the Eyes
Coughing (as a result of post nasal drip)
Loss of Taste & Smell
Nose bleeding (if the condition is severe)

These symptoms can often cause great discomfort in a person’s life and can lead to other diseases such as sinusitis and asthma.

For the most part, proteins cause allergic rhinitis. In most cases pollen, which is a small, light protein produced from plants & trees is responsible for the condition. Pollen is generally spread by the wind and can become lodged in the nasal lining tissues (mucus membranes) and other parts of the respiratory tract. At certain times of the year, as many as 10 percent of Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis. Allergies are a genetic trait which people are born with.

The pharmaceutical companies, which are part of a multi-billion dollar industry, have a ball during allergy seasons. Allergy seasons are the points in the year when pollen is in the air. Trees usually pollinate in the spring, while grasses pollinate in the spring and summer. Weeds usually pollinate in the late summer and fall.

During these times, the "Big Pharma’s" make "Big Money" off of antihistamines like diphenhydramine (Benadryl), chlorpheniramine (Chlortrimaton), clemastine fumarate (Tavist), dexbrompheniramine (Drixoral), loratadine (Claritin), fexofenadine (Allegra), cetirizine (Zyrtec), and azelastine (Astelin Nasal Spray).

These chemicals come fully equipped with a host of side effects including:

Sedation
Tiredness
Sleepiness
Dizziness
Disturbed Coordination
Low Blood Pressure
Palpitations
Increased Heart Rate
Confusion
Nervousness
Irritability
Blurred Vision
Double Vision
Tremors
Loss of Appetite
Nausea
Need I say anymore?

Rather than abusing your body while making the drug companies richer, try a natural approach to preventing and coping with your allergies.

First off, avoid the allergens that stimulate symptoms. Avoid dogs and cats if dander stimulates symptoms and be sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains and raw nuts. Avoid tobacco and alcohol.

If your allergies begin to act up, try supplementing with the following:

Bromelain (1,000 mg 3 times a day) - Reduces inflammation associated with hay fever symptoms.

Coenzyme Q10 (30 mg twice a day)- Improves oxygenation and immunity.

Quercetin (400 mg twice a day) - Stabilizes the membranes of the cells that produce histamine, which triggers allergic response.

Vitamin B Complex (take as directed on label) - Ensures proper functioning of the immune system.

Vitamin C with Bioflavonoids (3,000 - 10,000 mg 3 times a day) - Natural anti-inflammatory.

Zinc (50 -80 mg daily) - Boosts immune function.

Garlic (take as directed on label) - Aids in relieving sinus inflammation, when used in liquid form.

Eucalyptus Oil (take as directed on label) - Relieves congestion when inhaled in steam form.

Eyebright and Yarrow liquid extracts (take as directed on label) - Relieve hay fever symptoms.