Fighting Allergy Season the Natural Way

With Spring almost upon us, most are rejoicing in warmer weather and looking forward to longer days of sunshine. From blooming flowers to hibernating animals finally waking from their slumber, beauties of Mother Nature are emerging everywhere you look... if you can see through your watery eyes and past the distraction of your sneezing. More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year and Spring is the season most associated with itchy-eyes, stuffy noses, congestion and for those who suffer the most, isolation from the outdoors.

Instead of tackling your allergy symptoms with over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, which often induce more drowsiness than relief and come with list of nasty side effects, try combating allergies this season the way Mother Nature intended. Below are just a few of the many natural remedies and alternatives to ease your allergy symptoms.

Probiotics: With almost all diseases, disorders and chronic conditions, the most important first step to relief is achieved by addressing your gut. Your gut stores and produces billions of bacteria, known as gut flora, which can be both beneficial and detrimental to your overall microbiome. When your immune system and digestive tract are weak, the body struggles to absorb the beneficial nutrients and bacteria from your foods, therefore making you more susceptible to allergens, such as pollen and mold. Restoring the good flora and strengthening the microbiome by incorporating probiotics into your diet will address the root cause of the allergic reactions. This review reiterates the idea that maintaining a healthy and balanced microbiome is key in fighting off and preventing allergy symptoms, such as asthma.

Butterbur: A member of the sunflower family, this powerful herb goes beyond its anti-inflammatory and muscle-relaxant properties. Research suggests that it may be just as effective as some of the most popular allergy medicines on the market today. One study revealed that butterbur had shockingly similar results in alleviating allergy symptoms like congestion and headaches when compared to cetirizine, the active ingredient in products like Zyrtec. The study also revealed that the patients who consumed butterbur experienced less fatigue than those who consumed cetirizine. Make sure your butterbur product is free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA’s), a chemical that has been linked to lung and liver damage. When ingested orally, it is suggested to take no longer than 16 weeks at a time.

Local honey: The theory behind consuming one to two teaspoons of local honey per day is that the small traces of pollen located in the honey will eventually allow your body to build up immunity to the pollen therefore making you less sensitive to it. It is important that it is local honey since pollen is unique to the environment it is located in. You can often find local honey at your nearest farmer’s market or grocery store. While this theory is based largely on anecdotal evidence, one study tracked patients who were divided into two groups-- half receiving loratadine, an antihistamine sold under popular brand names such as Claritin and half receiving loratadine along with honey. Only the group that consumed the honey with the loratadine showed a significant improvement in individual allergy symptoms. This improvement persisted for one month after the end of the treatment, revealing just how effective honey can be.

Up your orange and onion intake: Unlike common pharmaceuticals that take a reactive approach to allergies (blocking histamines in the body after they form), vitamin C helps to prevent histamines from forming in the first place. Studies suggest that vitamin C maximizes its effectiveness when used in conjunction with bioflavonoids. Onions are the perfect addition because they contain one very important bioflavonoid called quercetin. This super-antioxidant has been shown to prevent the release of histamines and inhibit inflammatory processes. Supplements may be consumed if these foods do not suit your taste buds.

Don’t let your allergies get in the way of enjoying this Spring season and soaking up all the vitamin D your body has been craving all winter long.

For more info or product information please contact:

Nelcia Salmon at 954-530-5363

Weight & Wellness Inc

Natural Herbs & Alternative Medicines

6360 West Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise, FL 33313

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