It’s springtime and happiness abounds, except for those with seasonal allergies. As someone who suffered with allergies for the first 29 years of my life, I feel great empathy. For me, as my allergies got progressively worse with age, I found myself not enjoying life as I once had. Taking allergy pills daily was a part of my life, but there were still times that they were ineffective. Two to four times per year my allergy symptoms would develop into sinus and/or bronchial infections, for which I obediently took my antibiotics. Twice a year, my allergy symptoms would get so intense that I would take Prednisone. There did not appear to be any other solutions, but that was prior to discovering natural healing.
I was lucky! A short course of chiropractic care and my allergy symptoms were decreased about 90%. Enough that to this day, I still have not had to take any allergy pills, antibiotics or prednisone. Now, they are merely an annoyance, except for a few months while we lived in Santa Fe.
In practice, I’ve adjusted many adults and children who were helped with their allergy symptoms with chiropractic care.
Here is what I have found that works.
1. 1. Dietary changes. Hippocrates (460 B.C. - 380 B.C.) is often called the founder of medicine, and he once said "Let food be thy medicine". There are certain foods that are known to increase inflammation in the body, thereby increasing mucous production. While a small amount of inflammation is a natural part of our body, a lot of inflammation can create a lot of annoying symptoms. The foods that are likely to increase inflammation are:
A. Foods that have a high Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio cause inflammation. Examples of these include:
- Grains - This would include all grains including corn and rice. And yes, pasta and pretzels also fall into this category.
- Potato chips - My personal favorite food, but is incredibly inflammatory at a very high Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio of 40:1. For a complete list, go to http://www.oprah.com/health/Dr-Perricones-List-of-Pro-Inflammatory-Foods
B. Foods that are high in Omega 3’s include green leafy veggies (all vegetables are excellent but green leafy ones are highest in Omega 3’s), almonds, walnuts, avocado, olives and olive oil, potatoes, cold-water fish like salmon and cod, free-range hen eggs. Chicken and grass-fed meats have an approximate 3 to 1 Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio. Fish, flaxseed or hemp oil are also excellent for Omega 3’s. There are also wonderful spices for decreasing inflammation including ginger, garlic, curry (turmeric, cumin, coriander). If you don’t like the taste of any of these spices you can purchase them in capsules.
C. Acidic vs alkaline foods Certain foods like dairy tend to be more acidic in nature and can also increase the inflammatory response. While lemon is acidic, when you drink your water with lemon it becomes alkaline in your body.
2. 2. Showering/clothing. I didn’t realize the importance of taking a shower as soon as possible when entering the home until I lived in Santa Fe. The pollen was so thick that it would appear to be foggy. Taking off your clothes, and not allowing the pollen to spread through the house was vital, as well as showering whatever pollen that might be lingering on your skin or hair. Taking off your shoes and leaving them at the door will keep the allergens from getting spread around your house. Changing your sheets and pillow cases frequently will also help.
3. 3. Herbs. According to my friend, Amy Branum of www.SavoirHerbals.com, she recommends Reishi and Astragalus as a deep immune tonic for long term use to boost and regulate the immune system. Nettles (tea or tincture) works well during allergy season or when you know you will be exposed to something you are allergic. When allergies are bad or during reactions, she recommends combining Nettles, Eyebright, and Echinacea. Working with an herbalist to determine the correct amount for you or your child is essential.
4. 4. Homeopathy. I love homeopathic remedies. I have had great success with them both professionally and personally. While I usually recommend going to someone who can provide you with a constitutional remedy as the first option, that may not be affordable. Utilizing OTC remedies are helpful for symptom-relief, but it might take trying different brands to find the right one for you. For instance, I really love the Allergy Relief aka Homeopathic Pollinosan formula by A. Vogel. Great for sneezing and itchy eyes. When I lived in Santa Fe, I discovered the importance of using a homeopathic formula that was developed locally based upon the season.
5. 5. Supplements. Vitamin D and Vitamin C have immune system properties. For my 7 year old, I give her 400IU’s of Vitamin D when she’s having symptoms (cold or allergies), and make sure she gets plenty of sunshine (without sun block) whenever possible. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, so taking too much through a supplement is not good. Vitamin C is water-soluble, so taking too much is usually not a problem as your body will eliminate it naturally. But, if you take too much it can also cause diarrhea. Raw honey is an effective treatment for many allergy sufferers. According to Dr. William G Peterson, an allergist, "It must be raw honey because raw honey contains all the pollen, dust and molds that cause 90 per cent of all allergies," he told a meeting of the Oklahoma Beekeepers Association. "What happens is that the patient builds up an immunity to pollen, dust or mold that is causing his trouble in the first place. The raw honey must "not be strained, not even through a cloth." he added. (www.reallyrawhoney.com/healthfacts.php).
6. 6. Yoga. Hip openers in yoga are an excellent way to open the sinuses. I learned this first-hand while having a stuffy nose. According to Jeff Migdow, MD, director of Prana Yoga Teacher Training in New York and a physician at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, "Allergies are worsened by a stress reaction, which causes physiological responses, including the release of stress hormones and histamine, and triggers inflammation. Relaxation diminishes fight-or-flight response, and thereby reduces allergic symptoms." Through relaxation, the nervous system basically tells the immune system to hold its fire. Once the immune system backs off, the inflammation and mucus decrease, and symptoms diminish.” (www.yogajournal.com/health/885)
7. 7. Air filter. Using an air purification system, along with frequent cleaning, can reduce the allergens in your home. Despite your best efforts to keep the allergens out, it’s amazing how they can creep into your home.
8. 8. Chiropractic. As I mentioned previously, the changes to my allergy symptoms with Chiropractic care were unbelievable. It literally changed my life. At one time, while practicing in the metro DC area, I received referrals from an allergist for his patients with neck pain. With the exception of one person, all the others had a significant decrease in their allergy symptoms. Chiropractic care works on the immune and nervous system by helping to bring the body back into homeostasis. When your body is out of balance, it can create a variety of “health” problems, including allergy symptoms.
9. 9. Acupuncture. I tried Acupuncture for the severe allergy symptoms I had while living in Santa Fe. I was frequenting the acupuncturist’s office several times per week to no avail. While it did not work for me, I still find this modality very beneficial for many people.
10. 10. Energy Healing. Reiki, Reconnective Healing, and other types of energy healing can also work to help with the symptoms. Neti pots are also valuable to helping to clear your sinuses, although I would not recommend them for children.
Finding the right remedies and modalities for you and your family is very individual. There is no cookbook approach to any health problem, as there are many causes. These are just a few examples of what I have found to work for my patients as well as my family.
It is important to remember that the human body is a self-healing organism. Giving it the right path to healing may take some time. Be patient. Find the right solution to not only get relief from your symptoms, but also build a strong immune system in the process. Eat healthy all the time, not just when you are “sick”. Exercise, positive mental attitude, stress reduction are all important components for getting and staying healthy.
