Allergy Symptoms and Treatment

Make It: Place 6-8 rounded teaspoons of roots or bark in a non-aluminum pot and cover the herbs with two quarts cold water. Heat slowly to a boil with pot covered, and gently simmer for 25-45 minutes. The longer you simmer the herbs, the stronger the tea will be. Warm or chill, dilute to taste & sweeten with agave nectar or stevia as desired.

*Sassafras Root chunks are available in store or on our website for $4.40 an ounce.

A cup of sassafras root tea is a traditional spring tonic in the South for hundreds of years, and was part of the home medicine of the early American colonists, who learned of its use from the Iroquois and Seneca tribes. Sassafras tea was considered to be a blood purifier and the essential oil was used in liniments. Sassafras was exported from the colonies to Europe where it caused quite a stir.
As a blood tonic, its roots maturing in the spring contain mineral salts that can thin the blood to help man survive the hot summer months, and then when these same plants matures in the fall they develop mineral salts that thicken the blood for those cold winter months.

* The Sassafras roots, along with Sarsaparilla, are the original sources of natural root beer.
* It is used to treat many kinds of skin diseases.
* It was used as a treatment for Syphilis.
* Sassafras has been helpful for relief from the itching of poison ivy and poison oak.
* Sassafras stimulates liver action which clears toxins from the body making it an excellent treatment for all internally caused skin disorders such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.
* It’s a great tonic for after childbirth.
* In helping to adjust the hormone balance in the body, the ingredients of Sassafras aid the pituitary gland in releasing an ample supply of protein.
* Helps with obesity due to its pituitary gland support and blood cleansing properties.
NOTE: The oil is toxic and should never be taken internally for any reason. Sassafras is not for long term use. Not for use in pregnancy.
*Sassafras is sometimes combined with sarsaparilla in herbal formulas to address prostate problems in men; however this use is based on folklore and has not as yet been supported by modern research.

Herbs are an all natural way to help maintain health and wellness as well as preventing illness to begin with. Here is to good health.

Hay fever is also known as allergic rhinitis or pollenosis. It’s a kind of allergic inflammation affecting the nasal airways. This reaction happens when a certain allergen like pollen or dust gets into the person’s system via inhalation. The allergen stimulates the production of the antibody immunoglobulin E or IgE which then triggers the release of inflammatory chemicals like histamine which cause swelling and itching. Luckily, there are natural cures for allergic rhinitis. In this article, let’s learn more about them.

Avoid the Pollen

This is a very straightforward tip on how to prevent allergic rhinitis. By simply avoiding the pollen whether by keeping your windows closed or using a blocking cream in your nostrils, you can already lessen your risk of contracting the allergy. If you already have it, then avoiding the pollen can help you recover quickly.

Honey

There has already been a study which suggested consumption of honey desensitizes a person to pollen. As honey has some traces of pollen, it helps the body get accustomed to the substance and therefore control any over-reaction. Hence, allergic rhinitis is also prevented.

Capsaicin

Capsaicin is a chemical from chilies which seems to alleviate the symptoms of hay fever. Some patients who used it claimed that they experienced quick and lasting relief from the substance. It is believed to tap into a certain cell-signaling system in the body which reduces the possibility of allergic rhinitis. However, the substance should only be used under medical supervision. You should also be aware that nasal membranes are extremely sensitive. Inhaling some ground chili can be painful. In fact, it may even cause some blisters.

Onions

Onion has high content of a chemical called quercetin. It is said to be very effective in warding off allergic rhinitis as it has the ability to stop the production of histamine that triggers the symptoms of the condition. The increase of onion consumption can keep you away from seasonal allergies.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C also has antihistamine properties which can help lessen the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Unlike most mammals, humans don’t have the capacity to produce their own vitamin C. Thus, we have to obtain it through diet. Some of the foods that are rich in vitamin C are broccoli, papaya, mangoes, peppers, kiwi, and potatoes.

Butterbur

Butterbur is an herb which as conventionally used in treating asthma and bronchitis. There was a study which showed that an extract of this plant can be as effective as Zyrtec. However, it hasn’t been established yet whether the use of butterbur is safe for long periods. It has already caused side effects in some patients such as headache and drowsiness. Therefore, it is best to take caution when using it.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture is also one of the natural remedies for allergic rhinitis. The procedure can work just as well as taking antihistamines. For it to be more effective though, using other Chinese herbs can be beneficial. The great thing about this tandem is its effect can last for longer periods.

Hay fever is also known as allergic rhinitis. This occurs when your immune system over-reacts to certain substances you have inhaled like pollen. This condition may either be seasonal or perennial. From the terms themselves, you can gather that the former only happens on a specific season while the latter happens all year-round. Seasonal allergic rhinitis is triggered by outdoor allergens while perennial is caused by indoor allergens. In this article, let’s talk more about seasonal allergies.

Symptoms

Many people initially confuse the symptoms of allergic rhinitis with that of common cold. This is because they manifest the same way, only, allergic rhinitis is not caused by any kind of virus. Instead, it is triggered by an allergen.

Once you breathe-in a certain allergen, your immune system will start working. It will release antibodies into your nasal passages together with inflammatory chemicals like histamines. After which, your nose, sinuses, and eyes may start becoming itchy. Your nose may also become congested.

Experts can’t exactly tell what causes the immune system to over-react to allergens. What’s obvious is that allergic rhinitis can be pretty common. In fact, one in five Americans is affected by it.

While scientists can’t pinpoint the exact reason why the immune system over-reacts, it has been found that people who experience seasonal allergic rhinitis also suffer from asthma. Their triggers may vary and their symptoms may also range from mild to severe.

Other common symptoms of seasonal allergies are:

� Runny nose

� Stuffy nose

� Red, watery, and itchy eyes

� Post-nasal drip

� Itchy ears, mouth, throat, and face

� Swollen eyelids

� Dry cough

� Sore throat

� Headaches

� Facial pains

� Partial loss of smell, taste, and hearing

� Dark circles in the eyes

� Fatigue

Triggers

Seasonal allergies depend on the season as well as the area because allergens are carried by the wind. Some of the most common sources are the following:

� Ragweed – This is probably the most common seasonal allergen which abounds in fall.

� Tree pollen (during spring)

� Grass pollen (sometime between late spring and the entire summer)

� Fungus – This is mold which thrive on dead leaves and is common in summer

While the main cause of the immune system’s over-reaction can’t be pinpointed yet, it has been found that some people are more prone to it than others. For instance, if other members of your family have had seasonal allergies, chances are you can have them too. If you have hypersensitivity to some foods or are suffering from eczema, you may be more prone to the condition too.

Diagnosis

The proper diagnosis of hay fever is only done by a doctor. He or she is expected to first check on your personal and family history of allergies. He or she will also ask when exactly you get the symptoms and whether you’re already taking any medications. After which, he or she will perform a physical examination along with a skin test to find out the allergens you are extra sensitive to.

Do you have hay fever that doesn’t seem to go away? You may have already tried all sorts of cure but nothing seems to work and you’re already feeling frustrated. If this is your case, then you may want to try immunotherapy. This is a process which involves making up a mixture of your allergens and injecting increasing doses into your body on a weekly basis to make the allergy go away.

Each shot will contain enough amount of allergen to stimulate your immune system although not to the extent of producing symptoms. A shot like this is best given to those who have allergic rhinitis due to the following:

� Pollen

� Dust mites

� Pet dander

� Mold

� Insect stings

� Some drugs

� Allergy-induced asthma

These shots are given regularly and one complete treatment typically lasts between 3 and 5 years. Now, you may think that it’s a long period; however, good results await those who endure because the expected effects can last a lifetime.

Basically, the procedure works like how a vaccine does. Your body is presented with small amount of what causes your allergies. Then, your immune system learns how to deal with the allergens appropriately. The dosage is increased in a gradual manner to desensitize your immune system until the symptoms disappear completely. This procedure has a relatively high rate of success. More than 80% of those who tried it experienced significant improvement.

Now, you may be wondering who the best candidates for these injections are and whether you’re one of them. Here is a simple guideline that can help:

� If you have tried all sorts of treatments including medications or you are suffering from side effects, you may want to try getting these shots.

� If you have been suffering from allergic rhinitis for a long time and already feeling tired of it.

� If you detest taking medications or they are too costly for you, this procedure may be sensible. Besides, there are some insurance plans which can help cover the cost of this treatment so you can save a lot.

� If it’s impossible or difficult to avoid your allergens because your job or routine requires you to get in contact with them regularly.

Now some of the precautions you need to know are these: Shots should never be given to children under two years old. Also, if you are pregnant or lactating, getting these shots is not advisable. However, if you were already getting them before you conceived, then the doctor may suggest that you continue with the procedure.

Shots for hay fever are generally safe as long as given properly. However, they also have potential serious side effects. This is because the course of treatment involves the exposure to the substances you are allergic to. This is why it’s crucial to work with a highly qualified allergist when going through this treatment. In case a serious reaction to the allergy shots happens, he or she should have all the necessary medications and equipment to countermeasure the bad effect.