Thanks for stopping by...................

This is a blog to document the growth of my fledgling green and socially conscious body care business, Organic Mind Body Therapy: Eco Fair Body Care and to give advice about healthy eating and living practices that cure from the inside out.



Friday, March 26, 2010

Prevent or Ease Seasonal Allergies Naturally

Happily, spring is upon again.  Though many of us may rejoice in this season of growth and blossoming, some of us suffer from hay fever, watery and itchy eyes, noses, and throats, and sinus pain and headaches due to pollen and other allergens.  I am one of those people.  Unfortunately,(well maybe it isn't so unfortunate) I am also very sensitive to over the counter and prescribed pharmaceuticals(thanks to an allergic reaction to ibuprofen a couple of years ago) so I choose to treat all my minor ailments safely and naturally with diet, vitamin and/or herbal supplements.  Here are some that I use during allergy season and often times have to start several weeks before my hay fever usually starts for the best results:

Quercetin: substance found in plants as a flavonoid and limits the effects of histamine, reducing inflammation and in turn can reduce other symptoms associated with hay fever, such as runny nose, swelling in the eyes, nose and throat.  I usually take 250 to 500 mg two to three times a day of the Whole Foods Brand which also contains Bromelain (an enzyme found in the stem of pineapples) which helps in the absorption of quercetin in the body.

Acidophilus: a probiotic that not only can aid in digestion but also has been found to decrease the symptoms of hay fever ( perennial allergic rhinitis) and also may play a role in preventing food allergies by helping the intestines properly absorb various foods as well as affecting the body's response to those foods. I take it in capsules kept in the fridge at 1 to 2 billion colony forming units (CFU) per day.

Omega-3 fatty acids: often found in fish oil and makes the body less prone to inflammation thus potentially quieting allergy symptoms. I take 3-5 grams a day divided throughout the day with my meals.  It is important to check the label and make sure it is from a reputable company. We use Nordic Naturals DHA as a family.

Eat Your Quercetin in apples, beans, cabbage, garlic, grapefruit, grapes, green leafy veggies, pears, spinach, onions, red wine,green and black tea.

Eat Your Acidophilus in plain yogurt ( unsweetened and organic is the best).  Check the label to insure that it contains acidophilus and that the yogurt has NOT been heat treated or pasteurized after being cultured, otherwise there will be no remaining beneficial bacteria. Also look for " contains live cultures" on the packaging.

Eat Your Omega 3s in cold water fish like achovies, wild alaskan salmon, sardines, herring (Alaskan and Pacific), bluefish and atlantic halibut, sablefish (black cod) where you will find the most abundant source of these oils but they are also found in canola oil, cod liver oil, english walnuts, flaxseed, mustard greens, soybeans, spinach, wheat germ oil , and wild game.

This blog and post is intended as information only, not as treatment, cure, or diagnosis for any condition so if you suspect that you have a medical problem, please seek the advice of a competent and licensed medical professional. 
Vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other supplements can have powerful druglike effects on your body when taken in large amounts. It is possible to overdose on certain vitamins, minerals, herbs and other supplements and it is possible to experience side effects.  Vitamins, minerals, herbs, and other supplements can also interact with medications. For all of these reasons you should always check with your physician when using vitamin doses above the Daily Values or any other supplement.