Treating Seasonal Allergies - Part 2 
by Dr. Linda Page

Prevention is the best defense against allergies. The allergen is just the trigger—the allergic person is the loaded gun. Strengthening your body’s immune defense system and stabilizing the cells that release histamine before allergies start is the best course of action for any long-term allergy prevention.

Here are a few tips for long-term hay fever prevention.

Try my Healthy Healing mucous cleansing cleanse. Mucous congestion is a breeding ground for allergens. A diet that focuses on mucous elimination is essential to recovery.

Vitamin C, 5000 mg. daily, not only addresses symptoms, it also helps prevent recurrent incident. One review of 40 vitamin C studies showed that people who took vitamin C regularly had fewer allergy problems, respiratory infections and asthma attacks.

Quercetin 1000-2000 mg. daily, acts as a natural antihistamine and stabilizes cells that release histamine. Start taking it now. Quercetin works best when a healing base builds up in the body.

B Complex with extra pantothenic acid, 500 mg. and B-6 100 mg. twice daily after meals, morning and evening, as a preventive measure before high risk seasons.

Bee pollen granules, one teaspoon daily helps prevent symptoms. Note: May cause allergic reactions in some people. Start with small doses.

Reduce stress. Stress lowers immunity and can worsen allergy symptoms in susceptible people. Meditation, massage therapy and guided imagery are all effective relaxation therapies.

Nourish adrenal glands. Healthy adrenals are critical in controlling environmental and seasonal allergies. Using herbs that support the adrenal glands like licorice root, sarsaparilla and Siberian ginseng is a good choice to build a strong body foundation to prevent allergic conditions.

ALLERGY TRIGGERS

It is important to avoid allergy triggers in your environment.
Clean your house frequently to get rid of mold spores, dust or animal dander that may be causing allergies. (Especially pay attention to areas hard to reach like behind the bed or in closets!) Remove carpeting where possible. Carpets are notorious for storing excess dust and dander that can aggravate symptoms.
Wash your clothes often. Pollen sticks to clothes.

Clean your yard, mow the lawn and rake leaves once a week to reduce pollen and mold build-up. If your symptoms become worse while cleaning, delegate chores to someone in the household who is less affected by allergies.

Stay indoors in the morning (between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m.) when pollen levels are highest. Keep the windows closed in your home or in your car to reduce airborne allergens.

Use special bedding that can be washed regularly in hot water. Vacuum upholstered furniture regularly. Run a fan in the bathroom while you shower to reduce excess moisture and mildew build-up.

Invest in a quality air filter. A High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter can be used to keep the air in your home free of dust, dander and pollen.

HERBAL HEALING

Herbal combinations are more effective than single herbs because they work with multiple body functions. When I formulate an herbal combination to manage seasonal allergies, I include specific herbs that can address broad facets of the allergy problem: 1) decongestant herbs with antihistamine properties attack aggravating symp-toms like itchy nose and eyes and chest congestion; 2) lymphatic cleansers help clear body pathways and assist with allergen elimination; 3) bioflavonoid-rich herbs help block histamine reaction; 4) immune boosters enhance immune response and help normalize body chemistry for improved resis-tance against allergic reactions.

• Marshmallow root soothes irritated mucous membranes to relieve unpleasant allergy symptoms like itchy nose and eyes, and sinus pain and pressure.

• Mullein leaf tones the mucous membranes of the respiratory system, reduces inflammation and pain from chronic coughing, and also facilitates the release of mucous build-up in the lungs.

• Nettles is a gentle astringent, antihistamine herb that helps dry up runny nasal passages, alleviates itchy eyes and relieves coughing and wheezing associated with hay fever. In a 1990 study, nettles reduced symptoms for 58 percent of allergy patients after one week of use. Nettles can be taken as an extract, 1/2 teaspoon daily or in capsules, one to two every two to four hours. 

Dr. Linda Page is the author of several books including, Healthy Healing; A Guide to Self-healing, Cooking For Healthy Healing, and How To Be Your Own Herbal Pharmacist. She has received six of the first US Patents ever given for herbal formulations for her female hormone balancing formulas. Visit Linda’s website at: www.healthyhealing.com 

Dr. Linda Page is the author of several books including Healthy Healing ­ A Guide To Self-Healing, Cooking For Healthy Healing & How To Be Your Own Herbal Pharmacist. She has received six of the first United States Patents ever given for herbal formulations for her female hormone balancing formulas. Visit her website at www.healthyhealing.com

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