Allergy Relief

Natural allergy remedies include herbs, supplements and foods to eat and avoid.

Good “Thyme” for this time of the year

October 25, 2011 By Lilian Dirito 1 Comment

thyme herb

A delicate looking herb with a penetrating fragrance, thyme is a wonderful addition to bean, egg and vegetable dishes. Both fresh and dry, thyme is a useful great herb.

Thyme has a long history of use in natural medicine in connection with chest and respiratory problems including coughs, bronchitis, and chest congestion. Only recently, however, have researchers pinpointed some of the components in thyme that bring about its healing effects. The volatile oil components of thyme are now known to include carvacolo, borneol, geraniol, but most importantly, thymol.

The information below was obtained from Herb Allure to give you a wider spectrum of the properties of Thyme and Fenugreek.

Thyme’s volatile oil has also been shown to promote expectoration of phlegm and destroy worms, while the constituent thymol, has been shown to exhibit potent anti-fungal activity. Thyme has an antiseptic effect that enables to help with respiratory infection and minor throat infection. The combination of flavonoids and volatile oil in thyme provide antispasmodic qualities which are particularly beneficial for helping chronic coughs such as whooping cough. Furthermore studies have confirmed the herbs bronchodilator (dilates the bronchioles) effects. Thyme is commonly suggested for allergies. Asthma, bronchitis, excess mucous, colds, fever, hay fever, headache, laryngitis, pleurisy, sinus congestion and sore throat. Thyme also stimulates the production of digestive fluids, relives abdominal pain, and acts as a mild sedative. Thyme contains B-complex vitamins, vitamins C and D, as well as a rich source of chromium, iron and silicon. Thyme also contains fairly high amounts of cobalt, magnesium, manganese and selenium.

My favorite herbal combination that contains thyme is Fenugreek and Thyme. Fenugreek and Thyme is an herbal decongestant and expectorant formula which helps relieve respiratory congestion, inflammation and infection. Fenugreek and Thyme helps thin mucosal fluids and stimulates expectoration.

According to Herb Allure source of information, Fenugreek acts as an expectorant and antispasmodic to loosen phlegm and help stop chronic coughs. Research has also shown that fenugreek induces perspiration to help lower fever, a quality that has been compared by some authorities with that of quinine. Fenugreek also stimulates the production of digestive fluids to enhance digestion and assimilation of nutrients. Fenugreek is even recommended for convalescence and in cases of anorexia to promote weight gain.

Fenugreek provides anti-inflammatory properties, which help sooth inflamed tissues, as confirmed by Belgian researchers. In fact, these soothing properties have been found to help stomach problems such as dyspepsia, gastric ulcers and gastritis. French scientists have shown fenugreek stimulates general pancreatic secretion; of use for improving sever diabetes. A study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed fenugreek lowered blood glucose and serum lipids levels in type I diabetes. Fenugreek’s rich supply of steroidal saponins, including diosgenin, has also been implicated as responsible for lowering cholesterol. Fenugreek is high in iron and selenium and is a rich source of viscous fiber. Fenugreek contains generous amounts of choline and vitamin A, as well as biotin, inositol, lecithin, PABA, and vitamin B1, C and D. Fenugreek also supplies a sizeable amount of the aminoacids arginine, histidine, leucine and lysine. Fenugreek has been shown to increase breast- milk production due to the lactation activity of fatty acids present.

Fenugreek and Thyme gives you a powerful support for this fall and winter.

How Homeopathy Activates the Healing Response

July 25, 2010 By Val Greguire Leave a Comment

When working to heal the body, we look for ways to activate the healing response and move in the direction of health. This can be accomplished by taking steps to improve mental attitude, diet and exercise habits. In addition, supplements such as enzymes and the use of essential oils help to activate the healing response in the body. Another great activator in the healing process can be the use of homeopathic remedies. Homeopathy’s roots emerge from the findings, teachings and writings of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843). From his studies and experiments Dr. Hahnemann concluded that effective medications must produce symptoms in healthy people that are similar to the diseases they will expect to treat. Today this is known as the “Law of Similars” and is the basis for the use of the term homeopathy (“similar suffering”). This has evolved into a system of natural medicine which is based on treating the individual with highly diluted substances given in mainly tablet form, which triggers the body’s natural system of healing. It works on the principle of “like cures like” – that is, a substance that would cause symptoms in a healthy person is used to cure those same symptoms in someone who is ill.

Homeopathy Remedies I look at homeopathy essentially as a form of energy medicine. Homeopathic remedies are made from substances diluted thousands of times in water or alcohol. Between each dilution, the liquid is shaken vigorously. For example, a one-to-one-hundred dilution means that one drop of a plant extract is placed in 99 drops of water or alcohol. After lengthy shaking, one drop of the new solution is mixed with another 99 drops of water. This mixture is shaken vigorously, and then one drop is taken from it and added to another 99 drops of liquid, and so on. This process is repeated as many as 30, 50, or more times. The end result can be a solution more dilute than one molecule of salt placed in an ocean. A molecule is the smallest possible amount of any substance. Most homeopathic remedies contain less than one molecule of the original plant or chemical extract. So it is not the chemical makeup of the plant, or the vitamins or minerals contained there in which cause the formula to work. Instead we find that the energy of the plant is captured in the formula and can be used to move stagnant energy in the person.

When a person is unhealthy, when they eat poorly and do not exercise regularly, the body’s energy systems become blocked or congested. Think of this in terms of a computer on dial up, how slowly it processes the messages and brings up information. Quantum physics has acknowledged that we are all made up of energy, as is everything around us. It is the most basic building block of life, but like the air we breathe we usually can not see it. This movement of energy through our body travels on something called meridians. Acupuncture Reiki, Reflexology, and Kinesiology all work with the energy systems in the body. Homeopathic formulas work to move and balance energy in the body. In so doing, the body is activated to overcome the condition. There is a homeopathic formula for just about every symptom the body exhibits.

There are several homeopathic formulas that Nature’s Sunshine carries that I have come to love and keep in my home medicine cabinet. Since I am prone to migraine headaches, the formula Migraquel (#8745-7) is a favorite of mine. It is indicated for use when you have headaches associated with pain and throbbing. If taking at the first signs of the headache you can often stop it in it’s tracks. It is also good for other conditions that have pain and throbbing like a tooth ache or an injury. Tobacco Detox (#8712-5) is a wonderful formula for those who want to quit smoking. When you crave a cigarette, place a tablet under your tongue and the craving will immediately disappear. To this date, every smoker I have talked to says these tablets help them cut back or quit smoking. Another very famous formula is called Distress Remedy (8975-1). This is a formula that is called for when you are under stress, emotional or physical, like the stress of a job interview, or a dentist appointment. It will calm your energy after an argument, or before a speaking engagement. Physically you would use it when suffering pain or trauma from an injury. For children it is great when they suddenly injure themselves and are crying. I like to combine this with the topical homeopathic formula called Healing AC cream (#8723-1). When applied to a bump or injury it immediately soothes the area, reduces the swelling and takes away the pain. Healing AC greatly diminishes bruising, so keep that in mind as well. Apply it several times in the first hour as needed. The formula Allergies-Hay fever/Pollen (#8925-0) works great for itchy, watery eyes, sneezing or congestion and runny nose due to hay fever and pollens.

It is really amazing how quickly a homeopathic remedy will work to alleviate a symptom. Nature’s Sunshine has a great line of homeopathic remedies. I encourage you to try some of these or others that pertain to your particular health needs. I find it amazing that this science was discovered and understood over 200 years ago, and yet goes widely unknown today. Activate your body’s healing…consider homeopathy today.

Allergies from seasonal weeds

Wondrous Weeds…

After two weeks of daily rain showers followed by a few days of sunshine our front lawn looks like a man sporting a bristly five O’clock shadow. It’s not that the grass is too long, but rather it’s the false dandelion and plantain which have taken over the lawn. These two weeds both have a long stem topped by a flower of sort, giving the appearance of a bristly lawn. I have considered paying a lawn crew to come eradicate these weeds and sow me some soft pretty grass like my neighbor has. Well, I thought that way until recently…

Summertime brings a great many things besides warm weather and plentiful weeds, it also brings along a wide variety of flying insects. The ones I’m particularly troubled by are the stinging bees and wasps. A few years back, I went into anaphylactic shock after a single sting from an angry wasp. The initial tingling sensation and itching feeling was not so bad, but after about 10 minutes I was covered in hives, my speech slurred and my ears blew up like red tomatoes. The ambulance ride was but a blur due to all the weird feelings I was having, not to mention thoughts of dying. Needless to say after this experience; bees, wasps and other stinging creatures and I, do not get along.

I’ve managed to avoid the creatures for the past couple summers, but I keep a wary eye out for them all the time. So last week when a sweat bee stung me, I was a little nervous. Not as potent as it’s cousin the wasp, but none the less, it caused a reaction with intense itching and burning followed by a good size welt the size of an orange. A couple days later when sitting on my front porch I was being nagged by a white faced bee, a species of which I had never seen before. He kept dive bombing me so I swatted at him to get him to leave. As I did so, I felt the distinct sharp pain of the sting. I watched as the welt began to rise on my wrist and I looked at the big red welt on my other arm and quite frankly was feeling a bit un-nerved. It was at that time that I glanced across the yard at those spiky plantain and dandelion plants covering the lawn, when I remembered something I read recently. I had recently read an article that mentioned the use of plantain to stop the reaction of a bee or wasp sting as well as the bite of the black widow spider. He said to chew the leaves of the plantain and apply them like a poultice to the welt.

So with nothing to lose and a big welt to gain, I went across the lawn to look for some tasty looking leaves. Having made my choice I chewed it up, finding it a bit bitter and grass-like in taste. I think the chewing factor is important as the saliva plays a role in helping to neutralize insect venom. I then applied the chewed weed to the welt and proceeded to cover it with a gauze bandage. To my amazement the stinging sensation began to quickly diminish, as well as the itching. In a short time it was barely noticeable. After a couple hours I took the poultice off. The welt was gone, and except for a bit of a green stain from the leaves, there was no way to distinguish the site of the sting. The next day I woke to find only a slight red mark on my wrist that barely itched at all.

If you have sensitivity to stinging insects like I do, I encourage you to find someone to help you identify plantain in your area. It is a common weed and is readily available. Plantain has historically been used to promote wound healing. Plantain is a powerful drawing herb and is specific for localizing any poison in the body. The plantain keeps it from overwhelming the lymphatic immune system. It has natural anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties as well. So now when I sit on my porch and look at my neighbor’s sterile lawn, I don’t envy it anymore. He may have vibrant green grass, but I’ve got a hedge of protection around ours.

Noted Products:

Filed Under: Allergy Relief Tagged With: Allergy Relief, Healing, Homeopathic remedies, Homeopathy, Migraine, Response

Preparation For Springtime Allergies

April 26, 2010 By Val Greguire Leave a Comment

A time to plant, a time to grow, a time of preparation and renewal…

Flowers in the Springtime

Springtime is a time of preparation, farmers plant their fields, birds build their nests, and people everywhere start to clean, organize and repair their homes. Did you know your own body goes through some spring cleaning as well? Your body is in a constant state of repairing and building cells, it is constantly cleaning out toxins from its environment, and waste products from its metabolism. Springtime is a time when the body naturally makes an extra effort to clean out old garbage from the cells.

With the arrival of spring many of us find we are confronted with the problem of finding relief from our spring allergies. Allergy medications are often helpful, but tend to bring on many unwanted side effects such as headaches, dry mouth, and sleepiness. Fortunately, there are many herbs that not only help bring relief from allergy symptoms, but also help change your body chemistry so it is not so sensitive to allergens. Natural allergy support is a very different from just using a medication to stop an allergic reaction. The focus instead is on cleansing the blood and the lymphatic system to change the environment of the cells. By changing the environment within the body we can change how we are affected by the things we breathe in.

Woman Sneezing Into Tissue If you have suffered from allergies for many years it is likely that your lymphatic system has gotten congested from excess mucus production. Your lymphatic system is responsible for cleaning out toxins and cellular debris, as well as cleansing the immune system cells. It is very helpful when planning a strategy for reducing spring allergies to focus on cleansing early in the season. Cleaning the respiratory and lymphatic system often brings immediate relief of many allergy symptoms. Your cleanse time should be 2-4 weeks. You may repeat this cleanse several times a year as needed, spring and fall are the best times to cleanse. My favorite formula for this purpose is called Enviro-Detox (#874-4). This formula was designed to help our bodies clean out chemicals, toxins and allergens that we breathe in from our environment. It is the formula I recommend hairdressers or anyone who works around excess chemicals take on a regular basis. The herbs in Enviro-Detox help to reduce many of the symptoms associated with allergies and sinus congestion. In particular burdock, helps to reduce the way your body reacts to temperature changes, this helps reduce sinus drainage, sneezing and headaches. Fenugreek and marshmallow help to thin mucus so it can be eliminated more easily, as well as helping to remove allergens from the respiratory system. Pepsin helps break down foreign particles which provoke an allergic reaction by the immune system. Red clover is an expectorant and has been used to cleanse and soothe irritated bronchioles; it has traditionally been used for whooping cough, wheezing, and bronchitis. It is used to strengthen the immune systems of those susceptible to colds and illness. Allergy sufferers usually suffer from low grade viral or bacterial infections that never resolved themselves. Many of these herbs have mild antibiotic properties, as well as anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. Other herbs in the formula help to cleanse the liver, lymph, blood, and colon. I personally use 2-3 capsules two to three times daily.

Another major contributing factor to allergies stem from hidden food allergies and intestinal imbalances. For many people the inability to digest proteins in certain foods creates mucus production in the body. This increases sinus congestion. If you suffer from gas, indigestion, bloating or constipation on a regular basis then consider working to improve your digestion. If your blood and lymphatic system is congested due to improperly digested foods and the resulting mucus that forms, you will have more problems with allergies. Consider taking Food Enzyme (#1836-9) or Proactazyme Plus (#1525-0) with each meal to improve the digestion of your food.

A note on blood types … Many people are unaware that your blood type has a lot to do with which foods you have trouble digesting, and which foods make you gain weight. Each blood type has certain types of proteins it does not digest well. These undigested proteins cause health problems and slow the metabolism. Blood Type A: Does best as a vegetarian, has trouble digesting red meat and pork which slows their digestion and often causes constipation. Dairy food, kidneys beans, lima beans and wheat also slow their metabolism down. Blood Type A individuals benefit from adding hydrochloric acid enzymes (like Food enzymes #1836-9) to their meals. Blood Type B: This blood type is particularly prone to problems with low blood sugar. They have the most trouble digesting chicken which can contribute to immune system imbalances. Foods that slow metabolism are corn, lentils, peanuts, sesame seeds, buck wheat and wheat. Blood Type AB: Avoid red meat, kidney beans, lima beans, corn, and buckwheat Blood Type O: Avoid wheat, corn, kidney beans, navy beans, lentils, cabbage, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, and mustard greens. Blood type O is most prone to irritable bowel syndrome caused by not digesting grains properly. The enzyme formula Proactazyme Plus (#1525-0) has enzymes targeted to digest grains, simple sugars, proteins and fats. It is a good choice for Type O blood types.

A strong immune system is critical to combating allergies. If you have suffered from allergies for many years, or have a weak immune system you could benefit by supplementing your diet with 100 mg. of Co-Q10 daily. You may be familiar with Co-Q10 as an enzyme that supports heart health, but it is equally important for your immune system. Immune system cells divide more rapidly than most cells, and they are in constant need of repair and maintenance. All of this work requires energy reserves, and Co–Q10. Researchers have found that people with low levels of Co-Q10 have exaggerated histamine reactions and thus react more to common allergens. Researchers have demonstrated that people with asthma related to allergies have decreased blood levels of CoQ10 as well. Our 10 year old son tends to react to spring allergies and at the start of the season he became very congested. I gave him CoQ10 twice daily and after a few days his congestion cleared up and he is not reacting to the pollen like he normally would have. I think this is a great supplement to take in advance of the allergy season to get your blood levels built up. For those of you on statin drugs for lowering cholesterol, this nutrient is particularly important because the statin drugs deplete CoQ10 levels. You may need to take a higher dose initially until your blood levels improve and results are noticeable. NSP has a new COQ10 50 mg. gel cap (#4109-8) which is 3 times more bioavailable to the cells than other forms on the market. One 50 mg. gel cap is equivalent to 200 mg. in other forms.

Intestinal cleanses such as Clean Start (#3992-6) can very helpful in combating allergies if you tend to have a sluggish colon. By cleansing the colon you help the body to get rid of excess mucus and waste in the body that congests the lymphatic system. The Clean Start cleanse is a good choice as it contains the Enviro-Detox formula I mentioned above. Replenishing probiotics to balance the good bacteria in the intestinal tract is also a key. Probiotic Eleven (#1510-1) provides eleven strains of friendly bacteria. These friendly microbes that live in your intestinal tract actually help your body to be less reactive to allergens. A history of antibiotic use, which kills the good bacteria in your gut, has been shown to directly correlate to a higher incidence of allergies. This formula is specially formulated for those who suffer from food allergies as well. So by building the good bacteria in your gut, you strengthen your immune system and lessen your sensitivity to allergens.

Think about your body, your diet and other health problems and what areas need help and attention. Combating allergies is really about improving your health overall.

On the subject of cleansing the body and particularly the lymphatic system; exercise is very important. Make a point to exercise regularly; it will really help to improve your allergies. The best types of exercises to cleanse the lymphatic system are those that use your whole body at one time. Walking, tennis, swimming, aerobics, and mini trampoline are all good examples of these types of exercises. Try to do a little something daily, but a good 45 minutes of this type of exercise 3 times a week is very important.

In addition, I can’t overemphasize the importance of cleaning up your diet. The more processed foods you eliminate from your diet, like white sugar and white flour products, the healthier your body can become. Learn to eat more natural foods and lots of vegetables as well as natural fruits. Remember it took your body a long time to get off balance, so it is likely to take a while for it to repair and rebuild itself. If you are starting your program to combat allergies at the start of the allergy season, it is going to be a bit of an uphill battle. This means that even though you are likely to see improvement, you are also likely to still be sensitive to many allergens. The good news is that you should be able to help control them with natural supplements instead of over the counter drugs and medications.

Nature’s Sunshine has a several wonderful herbal blends that help bring relief from allergy symptoms and lessen the need for over the counter medications. My favorites are: Sinus Support, ALJ, and HistaBlock. Many people ask me what the difference is in these formulas, or how do you know which one to use? The answer is that these are 3 different allergy formulas, created by 3 different Herbalists, with the same goal in mind: bringing relief from allergy reactions. They each take a slightly different approach in the way they work, and the area they target. Since each person is different, you will have to try these formulas to find which one works best for you, sometimes I combine them. The dosage you need will depend on your personal make-up. Typically 2-4 capsules of a particular formula at a given time, 2-3 times daily works the best for most people. It is a learning process, so be patient.

ALJ (#774-3) was created to help relive sinus and respiratory congestion associated with allergies. It is a good choice if allergies tend to get you all stuffed up, mucus congestion, or swollen glands. I find it a wonderful formula to support those who also have asthma it tends to really lessen the amount of medication they need to control their symptoms.

HistaBlock (#776-1) is a fairly new formula created as a alternative to over the counter anti-histamines. The formula helps to stop sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and wheezing associated with allergies. It is a good choice for hay fever, and cat and dog allergy reactions.

Sinus Support EF (#1250-3) is somewhat a combination of the above two formulas, it is considered an expectorant, and a decongestant. It also helps to shrink swollen inflamed sinus passages. The formula contains burdock which helps to stop sinus drainage related to the sudden change in temperatures. It a favorite of mine for spring allergies. I usually take some sinus support daily when the flowers start blooming. If there is an unusually high pollen count or something in the air that I really seem irritated by, then I take a couple HistaBlock with 2 Sinus Support.

ALJ comes in liquid form, and works great for children. I like to combine it with Red Clover Blend liquid which contains burdock and is similar to the Sinus Support. For children with allergies I usually try ¼ to ½ tsp. Of each, 2-3 times per day. These liquids herbs are on sale this week!

I hope this information has been helpful for pointing you in the right direction to combat your allergies naturally.

Noted Products:

Filed Under: Allergy Relief, Natural healing Tagged With: Allergies, Allergy Relief, Clean Start, Enviro Detox, Natural healing, Springtime

Natural Allergy Relief

July 3, 2009 By Val Greguire Leave a Comment

With the arrival of autumn, many of us find we are confronted with the problem of finding relief from our autumn allergies. Allergy medications are often helpful, but tend to bring on many unwanted side effects such as headaches, dry mouth, and sleepiness. Fortunately there are many herbs that not only help bring relief from allergy symptoms, but also help change your body chemistry so it is not so sensitive to allergens. Natural allergy support is a very different from just using a medication to stop an allergy reaction. By changing the environment within the body we can change how we are effected by the things we breath in.

The Plan:

Cleanse the body with special emphasis on the lymphatic system
Breakdown and destroy allergens that enter the bloodstream
Build your natural defenses by strengthening the immune system

Recommended products:

Enviro-Detox – 6 per day Lymph Gland Cleanse - 6 per day

Capryl Immune – 6 per day Protease Plus - one per meal

Step 1: Cleanse

If you have suffered from allergies for many years it is likely that your lymphatic system has gotten congested from excess mucus production. Your lymphatic system is responsible for cleaning out toxins and cellular debris as well as cleansing the immune system cells. It is very helpful when starting an allergy relief program to use herbs that help cleanse the lymphatic system. This will often bring immediate relief of many allergy symptoms. Your cleanse time should be 2-4 weeks. You may repeat this cleanse several times a year if needed, spring and fall are the best times to cleanse. The herbs in the Enviro-Detox and Lymph Gland Cleanse and detoxify the lymphatic system. The particular herbs used in the formula help to reduce many of the symptoms associated with allergies and sinus congestion. In particular burdock, helps to reduce the way your body reacts to temperature changes, this helps reduce sinus drainage, sneezing and headaches. Fenugreek and marshmallow help to thin mucus so it can be eliminated more easily, as well as helping to remove allergens from the respiratory system. Pepsin helps break down foreign particles which provoke an allergic reaction by the immune system. Red clover is an expectorant and has been used to cleanse and soothe irritated bronchioles, it has traditionally been used for whooping cough, wheezing, and bronchitis. It is used to strengthen the immune systems of those susceptible to colds and illness. Allergy sufferers usually suffer from low grade viral or bacterial infections that never resolved themselves. Many of these herbs have mild antibiotic properties, as well as anti-viral and anti-fungal properties. Other herbs in the formula help to cleanse the liver, lymph, blood, and colon.

Step 2: Destroy Allergens

Another major contributing factor to allergies stem from hidden food allergies and intestinal imbalances. For many people the inability to digest proteins in certain foods creates mucus production in the body. This increases sinus congestion. In addition every pollen, mold, cat dander, etc that you breathe in, ends up in your circulatory system. The body needs to break these allergens down so that they are harmless to the body. The problem arises in that many people cannot break down the protein coating on these allergens. This further aggravates the allergy symptoms. Protease Plus contains high potency protein digestive enzymes that not only help digest your food, but work in the blood and intestinal system to break down and eliminate undigested proteins that may be triggering an allergy reaction in your body.

Step 3: Build The Immune System

Capryl Immune is a unique formula. It contains high potency antioxidants that help to build and strengthen the immune system and counter inflammation in the body, such as in the sinuses. The formula also contains many herbs and vitamins that are particularly effective against yeast overgrowth in the body. Food allergies, constipation, and digestive imbalances set up an environment for yeast to grow freely. Yeast overgrowth contributes to sensitively to environmental allergens.

Notes:

It is very important to drink 2 quarts of filtered or bottled water while cleansing your system. Expect an increase in bowel movements and urination, this is a natural result of cleansing the body.
Exercise is very important for cleansing the lymphatic system. Make a point to exercise regularly, it will really help to improve your allergies. The best type of exercise to cleanse the lymphatic system is those that use your whole body at one time, walking, tennis, swimming, aerobics, and mini trampoline are all good examples. Try to do a little something daily, but a good 30-45 minutes of this type of exercise 3 times a week is very important.
Clean up your diet: The more processed foods you eliminate from your diet like white sugar and white flour products, the healthier your body can become. Learn to eat more natural foods and lots of vegetables, and natural fruits.

Step 4: After The Cleanse

It is very likely that after you have followed the above program for 2-4 weeks you will find that your body responds much better to allergens in the environment. However, it took your body a long time to get off balance, so it is likely to take a while for it to repair and rebuild itself. This means that even with improvement, you are likely to still be sensitive to many allergens.

The good news is that you should be able to help control them with natural supplements instead of over the counter drugs and medications.

The Maintenance Plan:

It’s important that you continue to support your immune system. Improve your diet by eating more vegetable and fruit servings, whole grain foods, high fiber, and avoid processed foods as much as possible. The Formulas Defense Maintenance and, Thai-Go are great products to provide extra antioxidants that you may be missing from your diet, and food supply quality. These antioxidants help build the immune system and your resistance to allergens.
Proactazyme Plus or Food Enzymes are digestive enzyme formulas that help to improve your digestion and help eliminate hidden food sensitivities that may trigger allergy symptoms. If you suffer from gas, bloating, indigestion, etc. on a regular basis this is a good sign you would benefit from adding enzymes to your program. Enzyme supplementation is highly recommended for people over age 40 because of natural reduction in your own enzyme production as we age.
Another important step after cleansing is to replenish friendly bacteria in the intestinal tract. Probiotic Eleven provides eleven strains of friendly bacteria. These friendly microbes that live in your intestinal tract actually help you to be less reactive to allergens. A history of antibiotic use, which kills the good bacteria in your gut, has been shown to directly correlate to a higher incidence of allergies. This formula is specially formulated for those who suffer from food allergies as well. Take 3 capsules per day thru one bottle. Keep refrigerated.
Nature’s Sunshine has a several wonderful herbal blends that help bring relief from allergy symptoms and lessen the need for over the counter medications. My favorites are: Sinus Support, ALJ, and HistaBlock. Many people ask me what the difference is in these formulas, or how do you know which one to use? The answer is that these are 3 different allergy formulas, created by 3 different Herbalists, with the same goal in mind: bringing relief from allergy reactions. They each take a slightly different approach in the way they work, and the area they target. Since each person is different, you will have to try these formulas to find which one works best for you, sometimes I combine them. The dosage you need will depend on your personal make-up. Typically 2-4 capsules of a particular formula at a given time, 2-3 times daily works the best for most people. It is a learning process, so be patient
ALJ was created to help relive sinus and respiratory congestion associated with allergies. It is a good choice if allergies tend to get you all stuffed up, mucus congestion, or swollen glands. I find it a wonderful formula to support those who also have asthma, and tends to really lessen the amount of medication they need to control their symptoms.
HistaBlock is a fairly new formula created as a alternative to over the counter anti-histamines. The formula helps to stop sneezing, itching, watery eyes, and wheezing associated with allergies. It is a good choice for hay fever, and cat and dog allergy reactions.
Sinus Support is somewhat a combination of the above two formulas, it is considered an expectorant, and a decongestant. It also helps to shrink swollen inflamed sinus passages. The formula contains burdock which helps to stop sinus drainage related to the sudden change in temperatures. It a favorite of mine for spring allergies. I usually take some sinus support daily when the flowers start blooming. If there is an unusually high pollen count or something in the air that I really seem irritated by, then I take a couple HistaBlock with 2 Sinus Support.
ALJ comes in liquid form, and works great for children. I like to combine it with Red Clover Blend liquid which contains burdock and is similar to the Sinus Support. For children with allergies I usually try ¼ to ½ tsp. Of each, 2-3 times per day.