Allergy season is a bit early this year! A mild Winter and early Springtime weather brings plant life to bloom distributing pollen in the air. For those finding themselves suffering from those familiar allergies symptoms, it can be frustrating even for just one season per year. For other folks allergies are a year round predicament! Never fear, there is hope for those interested in taking the natural approach to dealing with their allergies.
Taken from our previous Allergy Season post…
- More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies each year
- Nearly 55% of all US citizens test positive for one or more allergens
What is to blame? There are many sources of allergens.
- Pollen, which comes from many different plants, is a chronic irritant to many people and contributes to seasonal allergies and hay fever.
- Mold and mildew from both inside and outside your home can cause allergic reactions in many people.
- 52% of households have at least 6 detectable allergens!
- Animal dander, dust mites, mold, scented candles, cleaning products, cigarette smoke
And don’t forget the other common sources such as food you are eating!
- Milk and other dairy products create mucous throughout the body.
- Foods not appropriate for your blood type can lead to reactions. Do you know what your blood type is? Come see us if you don’t know.
- Processed foods & sugars
- Wheat, gluten, MSG, alcohol, medications
What are some other contributors to allergies?
- Stress
- Depletes vitamins
- Weakens your immune system
- Antibiotics
- Leads to resistant bacterial infections
- Kills good bacteria
- 70% of immune system is stimulated by good bacteria so be sure to take probiotics daily
- Poor digestive function, not breaking down foods properly, and poor assimilation.
- Not enough enzymes
What are some of the allergy symptoms? The symptoms are basically a natural immune response of your body. It’s just that your body is reacting to something it should not be and this becomes a chronic cycle.
- Cleansing mechanisms – watery and itchy eyes, runny nose, coughing, even a mild fever, diarrhea and bloating can be a response from food allergens.
- Skin irritations, rash, hives, swelling, can also be due to allergies.
What can you do for allergies? We’re assuming that your are reading this blog post because you are interested in natural remedies. We are also assuming that you realize that the traditional allergy drugs bought over the counter or by prescription have an immediate effect, but have many dangerous side effects. Have we assumed correctly? Good because here is what you can do…
Of course you must avoid foods that you know cause a reaction in you. After you have spent some time enhancing your health, you may possible go back to the food but why bother unless it’s a healthy food! For example, if you give up sugar, why go back to eating it.
Eat right. Not only avoiding those allergy foods but be sure to primarily eat healthy food. Eating for your blood type is an excellent and simple guide to eating healthy and avoiding potential allergy causing foods.
Drink pure water. We prefer steam distilled. We recommend this to all of our clients and drink distilled water every day. How much? Take your body weight in pounds, divide this in half, this is the number of ounces of water to drink each day. For example, if you weigh 140 lbs. You should drink 70 ounces of water per day. Not all at once! Spread it out throughout the day. If you weigh 200 lbs. or more, stick with 80 to 100 ounces of distilled water per day.
Exercise helps improve your health, immunity, and reduces stress. Be sure you make time for yourself each day to exercise and de-stress yourself.
Herbs and nutritional supplements can be a vital force in overcoming allergies of all types (food-borne, airborne, and even contact).
Here are some popular supplements that support the respiratory system, the immune system, and contain natural anti-histamine ingredients and herbs such as stinging nettles.
Bulk herbs available in our store, The Herb Peddler:
- Bee Pollen
- Cat’s Claw
- Elder Flowers
- Hyssop
- Kudzu Root
- Mullein
- Stinging Nettle
- Yerba Santa
Herbal Supplements:
ALJ® (100 caps) 
•Helps soothe irritated tissues.
•Encourages the entire respiratory tract to gently cleanse itself.
•Assists the body in neutralizing allergens by nutritional means.
ALJ® [Respiratory] is the key product for the respiratory system. Airborne particles are everywhere. When particles enter the respiratory system via the nose or the mouth, the body turns on its cleansing mechanisms, and the immune system is put on active duty. Herbal nourishment supports a healthy respiratory system that can be challenged by inhaled irritants.
You may take ALJ every hour while symptoms linger. Take along with Histablock prior to going outdoors if you are prone to seasonal allergies and/or hay fever.
HistaBlock® (90 caps)
HistaBlock® [Respiratory] supports the body in times of respiratory stress. A powerful combination of stinging nettle, quercetin, bromelain and immature orange peel (which contains synephrine). HistaBlock provides nutritional support for the respiratory system.
Seasonal Defense (90 caps) 
Seasonal changes can be quite stressful to the body. That’s why it is important to support your immune system. Seasonal Defense combines andrographis with other immune-supporting herbs, including Fructus aurantia (six percent synephrine extract), thyme, oregano and eleuthero root for complete immune support.
Please see our Nature’s Sunshine site for a more complete and descriptive listing of these and other products to support and help you overcome allergies! VISIT HERE
Don’t forget, we mentioned that you should have good digestive function and healthy good bacteria to help you avoid and overcome allergies. By taking digestive enzymes and probiotics every day you can help yourself digest food better and improve elimination of waste.
For a detailed description and products list please see our product page on Digestive Health products.
We hope this information at least gets you started on your way to overcoming allergies. YES, it is possible to overcome your allergies. I did!!!
Resource:Nature’s Sunshine Products – ALJ webinar and web site.
In good health,
Charlotte Test, ND, MH
The Herb Peddler
Drs. Charlotte and Timothy Test, Naturopaths, owners
