Allergies are hypersensitive responses that occur when your immune system reacts to a substance, especially a particular food, pollen, fur, or dust, which either enters or comes into contact with your body. When you come into contact with the allergen (a substance that causes an allergic reaction), your immune system’s reaction might inflame your skin, sinuses, airways or digestive system.
How to Treat Allergies with Naturopathy Therapy?
The naturopathic approach to allergies is to recognize why the individual has an allergy, and then treat the root cause of the problem. Herbal treatments can be practiced in the form of a capsule, drops or tea. In this article, we have discussed some of the treatments mostly applied:
- Green tea – It is natural anti-histamine which helps avoid congestion if consumed regularly for about 2 weeks.
- Local honey – Consuming local honey exposes your immune system to local pollens & theoretically promotes desensitization to them.
- Nettle & Butterbur – This may block allergies and over-the-counter antihistamines. Nettle is a promising natural treatment for hay fever (an allergy that involves inflammation in the lining of your nose) but still needs some more research.
- Licorice roots – These raise the body’s level of naturally produced steroids. It also helps to make you breathe easily & cough less.
- Quercetin & Bioflavonoids – They have an anti-inflammatory effect and limit the release of histamine during an allergic reaction.
- Diet – Simply eliminating red meat from the diet can reduce the level of acid, thus lessening allergic reactions. On the contrary, a diet rich in Omega-3 fatty acids can help to shield against allergic reactions. Add cayenne pepper, hot ginger & fenugreek to your meals as hot spicy foods have an effect that helps clear nasal passages. While not as fiery, onion & garlic can also help calm sore nose and un-stuff the head.
- Fish oil – Specifically, by reducing eosinophil activities, omega-3 fatty acids may further maintain lung function and prevent symptoms of asthma and allergy, including coughing, sneezing, and runny noses.
- Acupuncture – This therapy has been used to treat several allergy symptoms from sneezing and runny nose to puffy eyes. During the acupuncture therapy session, hair-thin needles are gently pierced in the skin at different parts of the body.
- Nasal rinses – Using Netipot (gadget looks like a little teapot with a long spout) is great to physically flush dust & pollen from the nose but nasal sprays are comparatively easier.
Prevention is always better than cure
It is best to keep your surroundings clean, stay away from things you are allergic to & take care of things you can do at home:
- Clean up– Maintain hygiene by taking routine showers & laundering bedding as well as other fabrics. Keep your living space clean to reduce airborne allergens in your home.
- Fix your digestion– Keeping your gut healthy strengthens the activity of your immune system.
- Detoxify/Cleanse– Detoxification is most important to improve allergy symptoms as environmental toxins as well as those from food & water supplies send your immune system into overdrive.
Cautions
Some butterbur products hold constituents that may harm your liver as well as lungs. Butterbur may be reactive if you’re allergic to ragweed, marigolds, or daisies.
- Consuming a large amount of licorice can cause high BP and heart problems. Pregnant women should avoid licorice supplements as they can provoke preterm labor.
- Dried fruits and some dairy products, like certain cheeses, can make the blood vessels in your nose swell and make you more clogged.
- Those allergic to ragweed, pollen, or other weed pollen should avoid eating melons, bananas, cucumber, sunflower seeds, and chamomile.
Naturopathic Medicine works in complement to conventional medicine, helps boost your immune system, manage and treat your allergy symptoms along with your overall well being. Thus Naturopathy therapy sessions may prove beneficial.