As spring bursts onto the scene with all of its lovely
color, vibrancy, light, and new growth you may-
unfortunately - experience an array of discomforting
symptoms. Your eyes may tear, you may have a scratchy or
draining throat, your nose may be constantly itchy and you
may be always be on the verge of a sneeze or experience
repeated sneezing - seasonal allergies.
Seasonal allergies are usually accompanied by "stuffiness",
sneezing, watery eyes, excess drainage, runny nose, excess
mucus. These symptoms are the body's attempts to flush out
an offending allergen. For those with seasonal allergies
these symptoms can get out of hand and result in feeling
miserable.
Herbs can be added to your medicine chest of remedies to
help make your change of season more comfortable and
enjoyable. Before deciding which herbs to include as part
of your spring allergy relief program, it is wise to check
with a practitioner familiar with herbal health care.
Bioflavonoids to the Rescue
Bioflavonoids are an important constituent found in many
flowers, leaves, and fruits that help bring relief for
seasonal allergy symptoms.
Bioflavonoids help prevent the formation of histamine.
Histamine is one of the substances released by the body in
an attempt to get rid of the offending foreign particle -
the allergen. It is a hormone that causes tearing eyes and
runny noses as the body attempts to flush out the offending
allergen. Histamine prompts the body to quickly get rid of
the allergen by activating the common allergy symptoms such
as itchy and watery eyes, runny and congested nose and
sinuses, and swelling and inflammation.
Increasing your intake of bioflavonoids helps prevent the
formation of histamine (as opposed to commonly used over
the counter anti-histamines which interfere with
histamine's action after it has been produced). Herbs that
help alleviate sneezing, watery eyes, and runny noses
contain substances that prevent the formation of histamine.
Without histamine, your seasonal allergy symptoms can be
significantly reduced. Many bioflavonoids are also
anti-inflammatories, which decrease the swelling of tissues
caused by reacting to an allergen.
Anti-allergenic and bioflavonoid rich herbs include German
chamomile, lemon balm, Baical skullcap, mints, anise,
ginger, peppermint, spearmint, feverfew, milk thistle, and
yarrow.
Hawthorn is an anti-histamine herb that blocks the release
of histidine decaroxylase needed to convert histamine in
the body. Licorice, ginkgo, cinnamon, cardamom, rosemary,
many mints and the essential oils of orange, tangerine,
lemon are antihistamine and anti-allergenic and help relax
the nasal passages and airways. German chamomile may slow
allergic reactions by increasing the adrenal glands'
production of cortisone, which reduces lung inflammation
and makes breathing easier. These herbs can be taken as
teas or in tincture form.
Herbal Baths and Teas Help Soothe Irritation
Essential oils of chamomile, clove, caraway, and lemon balm
contain natural antihistamines that can be useful for
soothing itchy hives. Mix a few drops of the essential oil
with an ounce of carrier oil such as almond or olive and
apply to hives. Never apply the essential oils directly to
skin as they can be caustic. Never take essential oils
internally unless directed by a health care practitioner.
Itchy hives can also be relieved by taking an herbal bath.
Dried antihistamine herbs such as thyme, German chamomile,
basil, fennel, and tarragon can be mixed together and made
into a soothing bath for allergy relief for skin reactions.
To make an effective herbal bath use a quart glass jar and
fill the jar one-third way of the dried herb mixture. Pour
in boiling water to fill the jar. Put a cap on the jar and
let it sit for at least one hour. If you want a stronger
bath, you can let the mixture sit four to six hours. Strain
out the herbs and pour the remaining herbal liquid into the
bath. Soak and relax. These same bath herbs can be used
to make an anti- allergy tea to help relieve those
worrisome symptoms. To make a tea use one teaspoon of the
herbs to one cup of boiling water. Steep for 20 minutes.
Drink one to three cups a day.
More Herbal Allergy Helpers
An allergic response can cause tissue lining the sinuses to
swell, which can block the outlets of the sinuses to the
nose. When this happens mucus build up in the sinuses can
cause headaches and mucus draining from the back of the
nose into the throat (the common postnasal drip). Using an
over-the-counter anti-histamine with these symptoms can
thicken the mucus even more so that it can not drain. It is
better to help dilate the sinus passages and thin and
liquefy the mucus so that it can drain easily. Hot chili
peppers are very effective at draining thick, congested
mucus and relieving these symptoms. Herbs such as ginger,
yarrow, lemongrass, chickweed, red clover, fenugreek can
be effective decongestants that thin and liquefy the
congested mucus.
To help relieve the scratchy, sore throat that accompanies
seasonal allergies herbs that soothe and coat the mucus
membranes - demulcents- can be effective. Demulcent herbs
include: marshmallow, malva, slippery elm, and violet. If a
cough accompanies the sore throat, you can try plantain,
wild cherry bark, or horehound all of which act as
excellent cough relievers. Plantain also supports the
adrenals, acts as an anti-spasmodic and helps expel mucus.
Nettles helps to prevent the excessive release of
inflammatory substances such as leukotrienes. Leukotrienes
are one of the natural body substances released when an
allergen enters the body resulting in an inflammatory
response. This leads to irritated and swollen mucus
membranes that secrete excessive mucus. Nettles is also
anti-allergen, enhances the immune system and increases the
body's ability to handle stress.
The herb ginkgo contains ginkgolides that interfere with
the chain of events that results in allergic reactions.
Phytochemicals found in ginkgo biloba block the action of
platelet-activating factor that activates immune cells
responsible for inflammation. Several studies suggest that
ginkgo improves the ability to tolerate allergens. Follow
label directions on the bottle as far as dosage is
concerned. Avoid taking in excess as excessive ginkgo can
lead to diarrhea, irritability, and insomnia.
Another helpful herb to use to increase the body's ability
to resist reacting to allergens is milk thistle. Milk
thistle protects the liver and improves its ability to
clear antigens from the body and strengthens mucus membrane
integrity while providing bioflavanoids.
Herbs can be a definite benefit in helping you enjoy the
early days of spring and move energetically and free from
allergy symptoms into the warm days of summer.
Before taking any herbs always learn about the herb you are
taking to be sure it is compatible with you and check with
a knowledgeable herbal health care provider. Enjoy!
----------------------------------------------------
Mary Ann Copson is the founder of Evenstar Herbs and the
Evenstar Mood & Energy Wellness Center. Mary Ann is a
Certified Licensed Nutritionist, Certified Holistic Health
Practitioner and Brain Chemistry Profile Clinician. Find
more herbal remedies at
http://evenstaronline.com/herbs
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