Allergy Sufferers Pay Premium Price For Relief:
Natural Remedies Could Be a Cheaper Alternative
Aug 21, 2009
The windblown particles coating your automobile are responsible for more than just leaving unsightly residue – for forty million Americans who suffer from seasonal allergies they are the harbingers of misery. The onslaught of those unseen compounds on sensative nasal passages can bring on a myriad of symptoms that run the gamut from slightly uncomfortable to severely disruptive. They include:
- Headache
- Itchy, watery, red eyes
- Allergic conjunctivitis
- Runny nose
- Sneezing
- Congestion
- Itchy throat
- Dry cough
- Wheezing
- Impaired sense of taste or smell
- Sleep disturbances
It is no wonder people in the U.S. spend more than one billion dollars annually in search of effective treatments! But is it money well spent? Can you find relief from your allergy symptoms without it costing you an arm or a leg, (or trading on your mental clarity)? Read on for some tips worth looking into.
With Seasonal Allergies Where Decides When
PDR health, a web site from the publishers of the Physicians Desk Reference, defines seasonal allergies as “a short-term inflammation of the mucus membranes that line the nasal cavities.” It goes on to pin-point the causative agents for this inflammation as “…airborne pollens from trees, grasses, flowers, and weeds.” Harmless to most of us, the allergy sufferer experiences a physiological response to all those pollen and mold spores: their body’s release chemicals, such as histamine, to fight the sniffed intruders.
Most of us equate the arrival of spring and fall with the start of seasonal allergies. The truth is pollen-counts are less about dates and more about areas. In the South, late February often brings a high pollen count from some trees, with the end of April marking the period for grass pollinations; if you live in the Midwest you might have until May before the botanical life-cycle enters a bothersome stage; while out West, indigenous weeds and longer periods of grass pollination means you may not receive a reprieve from all your sniffling and sneezing until mid-fall.
Popular Anti-histamine Medications Offer Relief...For a Price
There are medications that can help, both prescription and over-the-counter, but the costs can be prohibitive. While mild allergy symptoms may respond to inexpensive drugs, treating more severe cases can be pricey. Possible side-effects can be off-putting as well: dry-mouth, drowsiness, sleeplessness, and nervousness have all been reported. The labels of most anti-histamine’s include a ‘do not drive or operate heavy machinery’ warning.
Homeopathic Treatments Are Bargains Worth Checking Into
You could consider natural allergy remedies. Usually cheaper, and without the unwanted side-effects, checking into them could prove prudent. Peruse homeopathic and natural/alternative medicine websites for information on the most popular therapies. exitallergy lists the following herbs as having merit:
- Eucalyptus – use it to quiet a cough and alleviate nasal congestion. It has both antibiotic and expectorant attributes. A steam treatment will help increase the benefits.
- Red Clover tea – drink a cup to curtail some symptoms of asthma. Wine made from this flowering wild plant can calm a cough. It is considered an antispasmodic and an expectorant.
- Apple Cider Vinegar - treats the signs of sinus infections and allergies. Containing vitamins A, E, B1, B2 and B6, as well as potassium, calcium and magnesium, it relieves sore throats and decreases the amount of mucus present in the nasal passages.
- Rosehips - high in vitamin C, works with your immune system to help keep illnesses at bay.
- Astragalus - popularized in Chinese medicine for its anti-viral properties, it is used in the treatment and prevention of upper-respiratory ailments. Feeding the immune system by increasing the number of T-cells, it aids in the elimination of toxins by the body.
- Irish Moss - containing potassium chloride - can be used to calm your cough and ease congestion. It is an Atlantic Red Algae found off the rocky coast of Europe and North America.
This is not fringe or pseudo-science. Mainstream medicine touts the benefits of some herbal therapies. Citing data from two clinical trials webmd recommends Butterbur for controlling the signs of hay fever. Freeze-dried nettles, Goldenseal, and grape seed extract also receive favorable mentions on the site. Acupressure and acupuncture have shown promise in relieving the discomfort of those suffering from multiple allergies.
If the thought of making teas and tinctures seems a little too exotic for your tastes though, if you are not yet comfortable with getting your meds at the health and vitamin store, there are still some things you can try to help alleviate your seasonal suffering:
- Spice up your diet. Eating ‘hot’ foods helps to clear nasal passages by thinning mucus secretions. Season liberally with cayenne pepper, hot ginger, garlic, onion etc.
- Don’t eat (or drink) melon, banana, cucumber, chamomile and sunflower seeds if you have weed pollen allergies. They’ll only make your symptoms worse.
- Eat foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. A German study suggests it might lower your likelihood of having allergies.
- Don’t use window fans.
- Close the windows.
- Wear paper dust filter masks when outdoors.
- Stay indoors as much as possible.
Allergy relief may be worth its weight in gold – but it doesn’t have to cost a fortune – and it doesn’t have to come with unwanted side effects. Breathe easier through your next allergy season by taking what comes naturally.
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