Natural Care for Hay Fever and Allergies
Do you suffer from hay fever allergies seasonally or all year long? Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, and a scratchy throat that aren’t caused by a common cold. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 17.6 million American adults currently suffer from allergies and hay fever. An additional 6.6 million children sneezed and sniffled from allergies at some point in the past 12 months.
Unfortunately, most people who suffer from allergies simply mask their symptoms with drugs. Those drugs may have unpleasant side effects and may stop working after a while. Another option is to seek a treatment for the root cause. Allergies involve an overreaction of the body's immune system to a harmless substance called an allergen. When you are exposed to an allergen such as grass pollen or pet dander, your immune system produces an abundance of inflammatory hormones. Inflammation is what causes the familiar symptoms of allergies and hay fever.
There are several alternative treatment options available to get to the root of allergies and hay fever.
Eat a Low-Inflammation Diet
One of the most important steps is to make sure that your diet is low in foods that contribute to inflammation. Because our lives are often busy and stressful, too many people choose to pick up convenient but nutrient-deficient processed food instead of preparing and cooking fresh meals for themselves and their families. There's nothing wrong with an occasional food treat, but basing the bulk of your diet around processed foods will take a toll on your health. The lack of nutrients and the increased intake of preservatives, thickeners, poor-quality fats, sugars and other empty calories can stress the immune system, causing more inflammation and greater sensitivity to allergens. A better choice is to consume a diet rich in lots of both cooked and raw vegetables, high-quality meats and fish, some fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, high quality oils like olive and coconut oil, and nutrient-dense starches such as sweet potatoes and whole grains. Check out the great food videos on Grokker for inspiration.
Sleep and Stress Management
Did you know that a lack of sleep and too much stress could impair your immune system? Stress releases hormones that increase inflammation and reduce important immune-regulating chemicals in the body. Regular, moderate exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress. Many people find a regular mindfulness practice beneficial as well. Sleep is so important to health. Sleep is when our bodies rest and repair. That includes cleaning up the destructive effects of inflammation and resetting our hormonal functions. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
Herbal Remedies
Herbal medicine is a time-tested alternative treatment for allergies. Some of the most popular herbs include stinging nettle, Ginkgo Biloba, green tea, and reishi. These herbs all contain heavy concentrations of antioxidants. These antioxidants are believed to fight harmful chemicals in the body known as free radicals. If left unchecked, free radicals may irritate existing conditions like allergies. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine formulas, properly prescribed by a knowledgeable herbalist, can provide quick symptom relief as well as support for your immune system function.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is also helpful for the symptoms of allergy and hay fever sufferers while improving their overall health This Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) technique involves using super-fine needles placed at specific locations under the skin to stimulate the body's life force, known as Qi. When a person's Qi becomes stagnant or experiences other problems, disease and illness may result. Correcting problems with the Qi through acupuncture will naturally reduce allergy and hay fever symptoms. At the same time, it enhances the body’s self-regulating systems to reduce inflammation and manage stress. Some of my clients get season-long relief from just a few treatments.
If you know someone who is suffering from sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose, share this article with them. You may help them feel better!
Do you suffer from hay fever allergies seasonally or all year long? Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, and a scratchy throat that aren’t caused by a common cold. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 17.6 million American adults currently suffer from allergies and hay fever. An additional 6.6 million children sneezed and sniffled from allergies at some point in the past 12 months.
Unfortunately, most people who suffer from allergies simply mask their symptoms with drugs. Those drugs may have unpleasant side effects and may stop working after a while. Another option is to seek a treatment for the root cause. Allergies involve an overreaction of the body's immune system to a harmless substance called an allergen. When you are exposed to an allergen such as grass pollen or pet dander, your immune system produces an abundance of inflammatory hormones. Inflammation is what causes the familiar symptoms of allergies and hay fever.
There are several alternative treatment options available to get to the root of allergies and hay fever.
Eat a Low-Inflammation Diet
One of the most important steps is to make sure that your diet is low in foods that contribute to inflammation. Because our lives are often busy and stressful, too many people choose to pick up convenient but nutrient-deficient processed food instead of preparing and cooking fresh meals for themselves and their families. There's nothing wrong with an occasional food treat, but basing the bulk of your diet around processed foods will take a toll on your health. The lack of nutrients and the increased intake of preservatives, thickeners, poor-quality fats, sugars and other empty calories can stress the immune system, causing more inflammation and greater sensitivity to allergens. A better choice is to consume a diet rich in lots of both cooked and raw vegetables, high-quality meats and fish, some fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, high quality oils like olive and coconut oil, and nutrient-dense starches such as sweet potatoes and whole grains. Check out the great food videos on Grokker for inspiration.
Sleep and Stress Management
Did you know that a lack of sleep and too much stress could impair your immune system? Stress releases hormones that increase inflammation and reduce important immune-regulating chemicals in the body. Regular, moderate exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress. Many people find a regular mindfulness practice beneficial as well. Sleep is so important to health. Sleep is when our bodies rest and repair. That includes cleaning up the destructive effects of inflammation and resetting our hormonal functions. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
Herbal Remedies
Herbal medicine is a time-tested alternative treatment for allergies. Some of the most popular herbs include stinging nettle, Ginkgo Biloba, green tea, and reishi. These herbs all contain heavy concentrations of antioxidants. These antioxidants are believed to fight harmful chemicals in the body known as free radicals. If left unchecked, free radicals may irritate existing conditions like allergies. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine formulas, properly prescribed by a knowledgeable herbalist, can provide quick symptom relief as well as support for your immune system function.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is also helpful for the symptoms of allergy and hay fever sufferers while improving their overall health This Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) technique involves using super-fine needles placed at specific locations under the skin to stimulate the body's life force, known as Qi. When a person's Qi becomes stagnant or experiences other problems, disease and illness may result. Correcting problems with the Qi through acupuncture will naturally reduce allergy and hay fever symptoms. At the same time, it enhances the body’s self-regulating systems to reduce inflammation and manage stress. Some of my clients get season-long relief from just a few treatments.
If you know someone who is suffering from sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose, share this article with them. You may help them feel better!
Do you suffer from hay fever allergies seasonally or all year long? Symptoms include sneezing, runny nose, itchy or watery eyes, and a scratchy throat that aren’t caused by a common cold. According to the Centers for Disease Control, 17.6 million American adults currently suffer from allergies and hay fever. An additional 6.6 million children sneezed and sniffled from allergies at some point in the past 12 months.
Unfortunately, most people who suffer from allergies simply mask their symptoms with drugs. Those drugs may have unpleasant side effects and may stop working after a while. Another option is to seek a treatment for the root cause. Allergies involve an overreaction of the body's immune system to a harmless substance called an allergen. When you are exposed to an allergen such as grass pollen or pet dander, your immune system produces an abundance of inflammatory hormones. Inflammation is what causes the familiar symptoms of allergies and hay fever.
There are several alternative treatment options available to get to the root of allergies and hay fever.
Eat a Low-Inflammation Diet
One of the most important steps is to make sure that your diet is low in foods that contribute to inflammation. Because our lives are often busy and stressful, too many people choose to pick up convenient but nutrient-deficient processed food instead of preparing and cooking fresh meals for themselves and their families. There's nothing wrong with an occasional food treat, but basing the bulk of your diet around processed foods will take a toll on your health. The lack of nutrients and the increased intake of preservatives, thickeners, poor-quality fats, sugars and other empty calories can stress the immune system, causing more inflammation and greater sensitivity to allergens. A better choice is to consume a diet rich in lots of both cooked and raw vegetables, high-quality meats and fish, some fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, high quality oils like olive and coconut oil, and nutrient-dense starches such as sweet potatoes and whole grains. Check out the great food videos on Grokker for inspiration.
Sleep and Stress Management
Did you know that a lack of sleep and too much stress could impair your immune system? Stress releases hormones that increase inflammation and reduce important immune-regulating chemicals in the body. Regular, moderate exercise is one of the best ways to manage stress. Many people find a regular mindfulness practice beneficial as well. Sleep is so important to health. Sleep is when our bodies rest and repair. That includes cleaning up the destructive effects of inflammation and resetting our hormonal functions. Try to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep each night.
Herbal Remedies
Herbal medicine is a time-tested alternative treatment for allergies. Some of the most popular herbs include stinging nettle, Ginkgo Biloba, green tea, and reishi. These herbs all contain heavy concentrations of antioxidants. These antioxidants are believed to fight harmful chemicals in the body known as free radicals. If left unchecked, free radicals may irritate existing conditions like allergies. Traditional Chinese herbal medicine formulas, properly prescribed by a knowledgeable herbalist, can provide quick symptom relief as well as support for your immune system function.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is also helpful for the symptoms of allergy and hay fever sufferers while improving their overall health This Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) technique involves using super-fine needles placed at specific locations under the skin to stimulate the body's life force, known as Qi. When a person's Qi becomes stagnant or experiences other problems, disease and illness may result. Correcting problems with the Qi through acupuncture will naturally reduce allergy and hay fever symptoms. At the same time, it enhances the body’s self-regulating systems to reduce inflammation and manage stress. Some of my clients get season-long relief from just a few treatments.
If you know someone who is suffering from sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose, share this article with them. You may help them feel better!