Natural Antihistamines: Herbs & Homeopathy for Allergies
Allergy symptoms are quickly becoming one of the most pervasive health conditions today, and many people long for natural antihistamines to relieve their suffering. Millions suffer from symptoms ranging from itchy, water eyes, sneezing attacks, hives, rashes, and headaches due to sinus inflammation. Allergies can often lead to respiratory problems caused by pollen, molds, allergies to dust mites, animal dander.
There is often a strong relation between allergies and asthma. As the allergens enter through the nasal passages, they create an allergic reaction in the throat and eventually the lungs. Wheezing, coughing, mucus buildup, and shortness of breath are common respiratory complaints that occur as a result of allergens entering the respiratory system.
There are many sources of allergens both natural and synthetic. Natural sources individuals can experience a reaction to include dust, pollen, mold, mildew, animal dander, and various food products. With the advent of synthetic materials and chemical substances that are now abundant in the products we use daily, there are now many synthetic sources of allergens as well. Cosmetics, perfumes, soaps, cleaning products, and synthetic textiles in clothing can all lead to allergic reactions.
The symptoms from allergies can range from severe to barely noticeable. When symptoms are noticable, the individual can learn, either from observation and experience or more methodically through allergy testing at a clinic, what allergens trigger their symptoms. They can also take antihistimines to help ease their symptoms. However, there are often allergy symptoms that are not so obvious. These are more subtle and lead to vague feelings of fatigue, mild headaches, scratchy throat, and even weakness in the muscles. The individual feels somewhat "out of sorts" on a day to day basis with no real sense of what's causing their symptoms.
Many individuals have more mild allergic reactions to often very specific sources of allergens. Wheat gluten is an example of this. Many people experience bloating, indigestion, even diarrhea, nausea and constipation as a result of wheat gluten intolerance. It is often simply a process of removing certain items from direct contact or consumption and then seeing if symptoms improve or diminish. This can be best accomplished with an alternative health practitioner who has experience in allergy identification.
There are many herbs for allergies that can act like natural antihistamines, and can be useful in treating the symptoms of allergies. There are herbs that relieve congestion or loosen phlegm, very much like natural antihistamines. There are also herbs that sooth inflammation in irritated mucus membranes, a common source of wheezing and coughing. Like some kind of natural antihistamines, herbs work to strenthen the immune system to allow the body to more efficiently and effectively attack and rid the body of any allergens that enter into their system. Below is a list of herbs that have proven very useful in creating natural hayfever remedies to treat the symptoms of allergies:
HERBS FOR ALLERGIES - Nature's Natural Antihistamines
EUCALYPTUS: Eucalyptus is one of the most useful natural antihistamines in its ability to calm coughs and relieve nasal congestion. This effectiveness is why eucalyptus is often a primary ingredient in commercial cough and cold remedies as well as oils, liniments, and chest rubs. Eucalyptus has been used for centuries as an antiseptic and expectorant. The strong vapors from eucalyptus clear congestion, loosen mucus, and can even have a antimircrobial action within the mucus membranes of the nasal passages, now known to be where the cold virus is incubated and spread throughout the body. The best way to use eucalyptus leaves is to place a few leaves in a bowl of steaming water. Drape a towel over the person as they hold the bowl and breathe in the vapors. Believe me, it's one of the most powerful natural hayfever remedies!
RED CLOVER: Red Clover has been used in traditional cough remedies for many years. As natural antihistamines, the compounds in Red Clover posess both antispasmodic and expectorant qualities that pair well with other anti-inflammatory herbs. Red Clover can be used as a simple infusion or made into a syrup for an excellent cough remedy.
ALFALFA: Alfalfa has been used successfully in natural hayfever remedies in treating the sneezing and runny nose common in hay fever. Alfalfa is nourishing to the nervous system and thus is helpful in reducing inflammation in mucus membranes through its relaxing effect it has on the body. However, caution should be taken if you have allergies to alfalfa and its use discontinued if your symptoms become worse.
EPHEDRA: Products containing ephedra were taken off the market in recent years making ephedra a controversial herb. It should be noted, though, that these products contained synthetic forms of the active ingredients found in the ephedra plant. Using the whole plant in its natural form has been found to be a safe and effective remedy for asthmatic conditions and natural hayfever remedies. Ephedra contains alkaloids that are very powerful in opening bronchial tubes and nasal passages. Known as Ma Huang in China, ephedra has been an important herbs used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It has been used very successfully in treating asthma and hay fever.
ELDER FLOWERS: The Elder tree is a veritable living medicine chest. The berries, bark, leaves and flowering parts of the Elder tree have all been used in treating various health conditions of the body ranging from bruises and sprains to treating colds and influenza. The flowers are particularly useful in treating colds and flu. The flowers have an anti-inflammatory effect in the upper respiratory tract and is also useful in preventing and minimizing the production of mucus in the sinuses. Thus, it is very useful in natural hayfever remedies for the treatment of allergies and sinusitis.
Excellent Natural Remedies for Hayfever:
2 parts Elder Flowers 1 part Ephedra 1 part Eyebright 1 part Golden Seal
A cup of this natural hay fever remedies tea should be drunk two to three times per day. Ideally it should be drunk a month or so before one's hay fever season begins.
I personally find over the counter or prescription allergy medications too harsh for my system. I find I get very drowsy and become not unlike a zombie after I take them. Really, most of the time I find taking allergy medicine to make me feel worse than just suffering with the allergy symptoms. AllergiClear is a natural, herbal formula that helps relieve allergy symptoms holistically, with no drowsiness. Native Remedies is a company that formulate all natural products under the guidance of certified homeopaths and herbalists. Why not try an all-natural hayfever remedies instead of synthetic medications?