Last Updated on Friday, 11 November 2011 05:24 Posted by Home Cure Thursday, 12 May 2011 11:42

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What Are Allergies?
Allergies occur when your immune system over-reacts to environmental substances known as allergens. To this day it is still debatable as to why the body reacts in this over-sensitive fashion. Common allergic reactions may present themselves as hives, hay fever, asthma, eczema, food allergies, or reactions to the venom of stinging insects and plants.

Many allergens are airborne particles, such as dust or pollen. When airborne allergens are involved, symptoms arise in areas of your body that are in contact with the air, such as your eyes, nose and lungs. For example, allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever, causes irritation in the nose, sneezing, itching and redness of the eyes. Inhaled allergens can also lead to asthmatic symptoms caused by the narrowing of air passages, which causes increased production of mucus in the lungs, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing.

Types Of Allergies
Dust, pollen and pet dander are the most common allergens, but certain types of foods can also cause serious allergic reactions in many people. A large segment of our population today is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, milk, shellfish, fish, wheat and their derivatives, soy and their derivatives, and sulphites (chemical based additives often found in food flavoring and coloring agents).

What Can You Do About Allergies?
There are many options for allergy sufferers. The most effective solution is to avoid allergens altogether. This would be possible in the case of food allergies and some environmental allergies, such as pet dander. Another option is to desensitize yourself using the same principle vaccines are based on; introducing very small doses of the allergen into your body, increasing over time until your body stops reacting adversely. For serious allergies, this should only be done under the supervision of a physician.  Another natural way to do this would be to create a homeopathic remedy that incorporates the substances you’re allergic to.

Herbal Solutions To Allergies

~Stinging nettles have been used for hundreds of years as a food as well as a medicine to treat various health issues, including allergies, hayfever, rheumatism, arthritis, eczema, gout and anemia.

~Horseradish is a kitchen spice as well as a strong medicinal herb, known to clear out sinuses immediately. Very often horseradish is combined with other herbs for the respiratory system.

~Eyebright, as the name suggests, has been used throughout the ages to promote healthy eyes and sinuses. Eyebright is known for its vaso-constricting and astringent properties, and can help relieve frequent sneezing bouts, runny nose and watery eyes.

~Witch hazel and chamomile essential oils can be helpful in case of an allergic reaction to poison oak or poison ivy. Wash the affected area as soon as possible with soap and water, then apply compresses of witch hazel blended with two to three drops of chamomile essential oil.

~For intensely itchy hives and rashes, a few handfuls of oatmeal in a warm bath works surprisingly well for many people.

~Adding one cupful of baking soda to lukewarm bath water may relieve itchy skin, or alleviate skin problems caused by an allergic reaction. Bathe for about 20 minutes, lightly dry skin, and then apply pure aloe vera.

Allergies are never fun, but when you find the natural approach that works for you, relief can indeed be yours!

1. 

   Dr. Kathleen Olsson Nelson

   May 14, 2011 at 3:05 pm

   Allergy miseries since childhood have been pretty much refractory to chemicals in allergy meds, allergy shots and desensitization series. I found the following mix of nutraceuticals to be the most helpful: AllerPhase, Orgono Living Silica, Feverfew, and several homeopathic cell salts like Natrium Mur, Aconitum Napellus and a few others. There are never any side effects with these natural substances which is a major bonus for those of us who are chemically sensitive and/or intolerant of OTC and prescription medications.
2. 

   homecureblog

   May 16, 2011 at 6:25 pm

   Thank you for the valuable information, and for sharing your personal experience with finding natural remedies that work!