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ALLERGIES

Allergies are abnormal reactions to everyday substances. They are caused by the immune system's overreaction to histamine, a chemical that the body releases to fight microbial invaders. But in allergies, the invaders are not viruses or bacteria. They are harmless substances: pollens, dust, mold spores or harmless microscopic bugs called dust mites that live in carpets, clothing and bedding.  If you've ever had a sneezing fit in the midst of housecleaning, you probably blamed it on all that stirred-up dust. But an allergist or immunologist would disagree. It's not the dust that causes the sneezing...it's your body's reaction, and the chemicals it releases, that prompts your sneezing.  It's true that some people are more sensitive than others to the dust, dust mites and mold spores.  That just means that their bodies go a little overboard in the process of reacting to the free-floating invaders.

Standard medical treatment for allergies involves taking decongestants and antihistamines.  Decongestants open clogged nasal passages and have drying action.  Antihistamines suppress the body's release of histamine.

In severe cases, doctors prescribe immunotherapy, popularly known as allergy shots.  The shots contain tiny quantities of the substances (allergens) to which the person is sensitive.  Over time, with exposure to slowly increasing amounts of allergen, the body becomes desensitized and stops reacting with allergy symptoms.

Decongestants, antihistamines and allergy shots work well for some people, but these approaches treat only the symptoms of allergies, not the cause, which is a confused immune system.

Decongestants can cause insomnia and raise blood pressure. Antihistamines may cause drowsiness. Both may lose effectiveness after a while. They also interfere with--and according to some experts, weaken--the immune system. Allergy shots don't work for everyone, and when they do, they often involve years of treatment.

Littleflower's Remedies for Allergies

GARLIC Allium sativum and ONION Allium cepa - These may be beneficial because of the high concentrations of compounds such as quercetin found in these plants.  The compounds retard inflammatory reactions.  If you have allergies, add generous amounts of these foods to your menu.

PEPPERMINT/SPEARMINT - When consumed as a tea or inhaled, the essential oils in these mints act as a decongestant.  When applied to the skin, the menthol in peppermint produces a cooling sensation and reduces itching.  Spearmint contains little menthol, however, so it does not have this effect on the skin.  Both mints contain contain other anti-inflammatory and mild antibacterial constituents.  For more allergy relief teas, click here.

MINT TEA Place 1/2 ounce of dried mint leaves in a 1-quart jar with boiling water and cover the jar tightly.  Let cool for half an hour.  Strain and drink.  The tea's fumes will also help relieve congestion.

EYEBRIGHT Euphrasia officinalis  Eyebright contains the constituents caffeic acid and ferulic acid, both of which have an anti-inflammatory effect. The caffeic acid also has specific antihistamine effects.  You can purchase eyebright tincture here. Take a dropper full every three to four hours during the height of allergy season, or you can make your own tincture.

TINCTURE OF EYEBRIGHT Place 2 ounces of dried eyebright leaves in a 1-pint jar and fill the jar with grain alcohol or 100 proof gin or vodka.  Cover the jar and let it stand in a cool, dark place for three weeks, shaking the jar each day.  After three weeks, strain and store the solution in the refrigerator.  Take as directed above.

HORSERADISH Amoracia rusticana There's nothing like a bite of fresh horseradish, or a spoon of prepared horseradish, to clear the sinuses.  A daily dose is necessary only until the symptoms of your allergy subside. Thereafter, you need only a few teaspoons of horseradish each month to prevent another allergy attack.  Purchase grated horseradish as a condiment.  Take a dose of 1/4 teaspoon during a congestive hay fever attack.  You can take horseradish as often as desired-or as much as you can stand!  Also try Japanese horseradish, called wasabi.

HORSERADISH AROMATIC If you have fresh horseradish root - Wash the root(s) and blend, skin and all, in your blender.  Fill half of a 1-quart jar with the ground roots.  Add enough vinegar to cover the roots and close the jar tightly.  Store at room temperature.  When suffering a hay fever attack, remove the cap, place your nose into the jar, and sniff or inhale.   Do this carefully at first to avoid irritating your nose and eyes.   Quickly replace the cap to keep the remaining aromatic substances from escaping.  This remedy will remain potent for three to four days.

CHAMOMILE Matricaria recutita - Chamomile contains the essential oil azulene and related oils that are anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic, as well as the oil alpha-bisabolol, which is also an anti-inflammatory.  Aromatherapists recommend massaging with chamomile preparations to treat skin allergies such as hives and itching. You can buy chamomile essential oil and creams containing chamomile here. If you have hay fever, you should use chamomile oil and herbal products cautiously.  Chamomile is a member of the ragweed family, and in some people, it might trigger allergic reactions, even though documented cases are extremely rare. The first time you use chamomile, watch your reaction. If it seems to help, go ahead and use it. But if it seems to make the itching worse, simply discontinue use. (For other herbs that can help relieve the itch associated with skin allergies, see Hives.)

CHAMOMILE & THYME AROMATIC Place 1/2 ounce of chamomile flowers in a 1-quart jar.  Fill two thirds of the jar with boiling water.  Add 3 to 5 drops of essential oil of thyme.  Cover and let cool for half an hour.  Open the lid and inhale the fumes, taking a few deep breaths.  Repeat as desired throughout the day.  Be careful of inhaling chamomile flower dust, because the pollen causes allergy in some people.

HORSEMINT Monarda punctata  - Horsemint contains the essential oil thymol.  Thymol reduces swelling in the bronchial tract, relaxes the trachea, and acts as an anti-inflammatory and mild antibacterial.  The kitchen spice thyme also contains large amounts of this aromatic oil and can be substituted for horsemint.

HORSEMINT AROMATIC Place 1/2 ounce of ground thyme or dried horsemint in a 1-pint jar and cover with boiling water.  Close the jar tightly and let the mixture cool for half an hour.  Remove the lid and inhale, taking a few deep breaths.  Do this as needed throughout the day.

GINKGO Ginkgo biloba  - The body produces a chemical that plays a key role in triggering allergies, asthma and inflammation.  It is known as a platelet-activating factor, or PAF.  The leaf extract of the  ginkgo tree contains several unique substances called ginkgolides that interfere with the action of PAF.  Try 60 to 240 milligrams of standardized extract a day, but don't go any higher than that. In large amounts, ginkgo may cause diarrhea, irritability and restlessness.  You can find some here.

STINGING NETTLE Urtica dioica  - Nettle preparations have been effectively treating allergic nasal symptoms for centuries, and have been used by diverse cultures on the earth.  Great relief has come to many hay fever sufferers through the use of freeze-dried nettle leaves.

FEVERFEW Tanacetum parthenium  - Feverfew is best known for its effectiveness in treating migraine headaches, but this herb also helps relieve allergies.  Pregnant and nursing women should not use feverfew.

VITAMIN C  - To prevent and treat allergies, take 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C with bioflavonoids three times a day.  Studies have shown that people who took vitamin C regularly had fewer allergy problems, respiratory infections and asthma attacks. Vitamin C is a powerful natural antihistamine with no known side effects, except diarrhea. Some people develop diarrhea after taking as little as 1,200 milligrams of vitamin C a day, but this is rare.  If you'd like to try this therapy, cut back on the amount of vitamin C if you develop diarrhea.  Don't confine yourself to supplements, either. Plants that are rich in  vitamin C include Chinese bitter melon, bell peppers, cayenne pepper, pokeweed shoots, guava and watercress.

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