Allergies are one of the auto-immune diseases. The immune system becomes over-activated and attacks the body. In the case of allergies, activated immune cells form a memory of "perceived invaders" by producing antibodies to otherwise harmless pollen, trees, grasses, etc. The antibodies then trigger the release of histamines and other compounds into the blood.
This starts an inflammatory response in the respiratory tract, particularly in the nose and eyes. The veins and capillaries in the nasal/sinus area become congested, swelling occurs, profuse nasal discharges occur, the eyes become red, itchy and watery and often one feels irritable and spacey.
Over the counter and prescription drugs, anti-histamines and decongestants, dry you up, take down the swelling and reduce itching. However, this relief is then followed by what we call a boomerang effect. As the medication wears off there is a return of symptoms, often stronger than the original symptoms. In the world of alternative medicine we call this action suppressive. We've all seen the television commercials that mention higher blood pressure and a "balloon head" sensation as side effects to the drugs.
However, there are natural ways to deal with Allergies. We can bring the immune system into balance with immune modulators and homeopathy. This is especially effective because it eliminates the cause rather than just silencing the symptoms.
Below is my Allergy Protocol.
Immune modulator
Source Naturals - Mushroom Immune Defense 2 tabs 2 X day
Anti-inflammatory/Anti-histamine/Anti-oxidant
Twinlabs - Quercitin + C 1 cap 2 X day
Anti-inflammatory
Paradise Bromelian 1-3 caps/day
Saline Spray Solution
Rinse the nose by spraying 4-8 X day
This will flush out the pollens.
Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to keep the mucus thin.
Homeopathic Constitutional Treatment- This is always the first choice of treatment. (See my entry on The Types of Homeopathy.) When you can't get to a homeopath, use the combination remedy below or choose one of the individual remedies described.
These can be used with the supplements above.
Boiron – Sabadil is a combination allergy remedy. It contains Allium cepa, Ambrosia artemisiaefolia, Histaminum hydrochloricum, Euphrasia officinalis, Sabadilia officinalis and Solidago virgurea.
Recommended use: 2 tablets in the mouth every 15 minutes for 1 hour.
Then, 2 tablets 3 times a day.
Boiron – Optique is a combination remedy for eye symptoms. It contains Cineraria maritima, Euphrasia officinalis, Calendula officinalis, Kali muriaticum, Calcarea fluorica, Magnesia carbonica and Silicea
Recommended use: 1-2 drops in each eye, 2-6 times a day
Cell Salts (There will be a later blog entry on Cell Salts You can use these with the combination remedy above or the individual remedies below. There are many who believe Cell Salts are activated in water, hence the instructions for use in water.)
Ferrum phosphoricum 6 X Used for inflammation and swelling.
Put 8 tablets in 1 liter of water. Drink the liter during the day.
Kali muriaticum 6 X For sticky mucus, clear to white-colored.
Put 8 tablets in 1 liter of water. Drink the liter during the day.
Natrum muriaticum 6 X For a clear runny nose and sneezing. There can be a loss of smell and taste. The mucus is like the white of an egg. The eyes are especially sensitive to light. Symptoms are worse in the hot sun and better at the ocean. There can be cold sores around the mouth at the same time.
Put 8 tablets in 1 liter of water. Drink the liter during the day.
Individual Remedies
Allium cepa 30C
There is a temporary catarrhal (mucus) deafness and dry cough. The eyes run like a faucet with clear, non-irritating mucus. The mucus from the nose causes the nostrils to be sore. The symptoms are worse from flower pollen, worse in a warm room and worse on the left side. They are better in open air.
Arsenicum album 30C
The eyes feel dry, water and burn. The whites of the eyes may be quite red (conjunctivitis). The nose drips watery, clear mucus out the front but, at the same time can feel obstructed. The nostrils become sore. There is frequent sneezing. If the throat is sore it may burn. There is a great deal of restlessness and often the person feels fearful without cause. There may be a feeling of chilliness which is better with heat and hot liquids. Everything seems worse between 12 and 1 AM.
Euphrasia officinalis 30C
The eyes burn and feel irritated. They are very sensitive to light. There may be a need to blink constantly. There is profuse, bland (non-irritating) and watery discharge from the eyes and nose.
Gelsemium sempervirens 30C
There may be violent sneezing. The nostrils feel swollen. There is watery mucus which causes the nostrils to be sore. The throat may itch and be irritated. There is a sense of fatigue, even talking is an effort. The eyes seem to droop.
Histaminum hydrochlorum 9C
Used for allergic reactions along with other remedies. It seems to work like an antihistamine. Read about The Law of Similars in the “What is Homeopathy?” entry.
Kali bichromium 30C
The mucus feels stuck. When it can be blown out it is sticky and ropey in appearance with a yellow-green color. There may be violent sneezing. There may be hoarseness. If the facial bones are sore they feel better when pressure is applied.
Nux vomica 30C
There is severe sneezing and mucus in the morning on waking with irritability, impatience and a sense of being hung over. The symptoms become better as the day goes on there is a great deal of itchiness in the nose, ears and palate. At night there is no discharge and the nose is dry and itchy.
Sabadilla officinalis 30C
There is persistent, violent sneezing with great itching in the nose. It feels like ants crawling in the nose. The eyes are red, water and burn. Hay fever is greatly aggravated by flower pollen.
Wyethia helenoide 30C
There is intense itching of the palate, nose and eyes. The throat feels hot, dry and swollen with a constant need to clear the throat.
Give a few of these products a try and let me know how it worked for you.
My next blog entry will be on "The Benefits of Drinking Water.”
