You will not be surprised if a two-year old kid knows the word allergy. Although this word is well-said and used around, Webster defines it as “altered bodily reactivity”. What we do not know is that most of the phantom ailments felt are not necessarily serious. Some of them are allergies.

The more layman way of describing it is when the well-structured functioning of the body is attacked by “foreign elements or substances,” it produces antibodies to protect itself from this invader, where the battle results in annoying symptoms. It could range from skin rashes, to sneezing, inability to breathe- as simple and complex to total failure of immune system and induce death!

What triggers allergy is the substance causing it. It could range from these varieties: foods, latex, animal droppings/dander, pollen, molds, dust mites, insect bites, stings, plants, medications, cosmetics, chemicals/dyes, metals (nickel).

If the symptoms are visibly manifested, in its severe form, it could lead to anaphylaxis attack with the following symptoms: difficulty in breathing and swallowing, swelling of lips, tongue throat and other body parts, loss of consciousness. Because allergies have no definite cause except that it could be genetically acquired from parents, or by being constantly exposed to the same substance for long periods of time, it is crucial that a person is aware of it.

Being prepared to manage allergies should be in mind so it will not affect the way of living, and there are options to ease the discomfort of its attack.

Before trying to find ways to cure allergy, consider the underlying causes that increase allergic syndrome:

• Eating habits during the first infant year: feeding the solid foods infant too early that goes with lack of breast feeding.
• Poor digestion due to improper chewing of food leading to poor hydrochloric acid in the stomach and lack of enzymes for good digestion
• Presence of parasites, candida albicans (fungi), bacteria
• Emotional and Mental Stress
• Hormonal changes
• Harsh food additives

The phrase “natural allergy relief” is as great as it can easily cause multitudes of verbal reaction than the allergy itself. This usually refers to products with the label “natural” in their packages.

With its complexity, there are ways to combat allergy problems at home without involving sophisticated process. Consider the following aid:

• Natural Antioxidants - these are fruits and vegetables that are high in hues such as grapes, berries, spinach, which prevents free-radical damages to cells. Vitamins C, E and beta-carotene have anti-inflammatory properties to alleviate allergic swellings.
• Sleep - naturally releases serotonin to help promote regeneration of cells.
• Water - the “universal solvent” that will thin out the mucous membrane and wastes that aggravate allergy so all of these will drain easily.
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids - mostly found in fish, almonds and flax seeds to help respiratory conditions and reduce inflammation.
• Nasal Wash - usually practiced by yogis, this is letting water pass through the nasal cavity at least once a day. Doing this 3 times for 6 weeks can lessen allergic symptoms dramatically.
• Breastfeeding A Baby - breast-fed babies develop natural anti-oxidants to allergies which will be helpful even in later life.

There are popular herbal remedies to allergy with a doctor’s guidance to check its adverse reaction to body. The popular ones are as follows:

• Quercitin - Anti-inflammatory, reduction of histamine
• Green Tea Extract - helps in digestion and enhancement of mental function, cuts cholesterol, lowers cancer, regulates blood sugar
• Selenium - immune function stimulant which increases B-cell antibody response, enhances Vitamin Cion of Coenzyme Q10.
• Bromelain - to ease inflammation, helps digestion of vegetable protein, promotes circulation
• Papain - breaks down protein and dead tissue
• Licorice Root - restores vital energy, moisten the lungs, aids digestion, to prevent skin inflammation
• Copper - helps the formation of T-cells.
• Molybdenum - enhances the cells utilization of vitamin C, detoxifies
• Magnesium (Citrate)- anti-stress mineral. Aids in detoxification, relaxes bronchial tubes
• Calcium - regulates the acid/alkaline balance in tissues, buffers the acidic stage of an allergy, lessen histamine production.
• Vitamin B15 - alleviates muscle stress to promote endurance
• Vitamin C - natural anti-histamine, prevents inflammation, assists hormonal production

Allergy is a fact of life. We should accept it with positive mental attitude. It should not cripple us to do our goals. With proper research and professional advice, it can be eliminated or lessened.

Do you suffer from regular bouts of sneezing, a runny, clogged or itchy nose, itchy, watery red eyes, and an itchy throat? Are you tired of the toll these symptoms take on your general countenance and overall strength? Chances are you think it’s a cold but it just might be allergic rhinitis.

As you surely know, allergic rhinitis is serious and debilitating. Unchecked, allergic rhinitis can affect your quality of life. Not only does it cause nasal obstruction, excessive sneezing and watery eyes. It also causes sleep disturbances and consequently, daytime fatigue. Moreover, chronic attacks of allergic rhinitis make one susceptible to viral and bacterial infections which can lead to worsening of asthma and respiratory ailments.

A Solution

Homeopathic treatments are steadily gaining popularity for treating ailments. Homeopathy is system of therapy based on the concept that disease can be treated with drugs (in minute doses) thought capable of producing the same symptoms in healthy people as the disease itself.

Homeopathy was invented by the German physician Samuel Hahnemann (1755-1843) in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. It was both refined and popularized by the American physician James Tyler Kent. Homeopathy is based on the theory that each naturally occurring element, plant, and mineral compound will, when ingested or applied, result in certain symptoms.

Hahnemann believed that, by diluting these substances in a standardized manner, one could reach the true essence of that substance. Hahnemann described this process of dilution as “potentizing” (German: “potenziert”) the substance. These dilute amounts could then be used to treat the very symptoms they were known to produce.

Hahnemann and his students approached their treatments in a holistic way, meaning that the whole of the body and spirit is dealt with, not just the localized disease. Hahnemann himself spent extended periods of time with his patients, asking them questions that dealt not only with their particular symptoms or illness, but also with the details of their daily lives.
It is also suggested that the gentle approach of homeopathy was a reaction to the violent forms of medicine of the day, which included techniques such as bleeding.

What to remember about homeopathy

Homeopathy works on the principle that “like cures like”-meaning that substances causing disease symptoms could also alleviate those same symptoms. The theory, is that homeopathic remedies rally the body’s own natural healing defenses to fend off illness. Made from highly diluted plant, mineral and animal substances, homeopathic medicines aren’t always considered valid by traditional physicians.

But in 1992, Congress established the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) to begin clinical trials of dietary supplements and nontraditional therapies. Results so far have proven informative: one recent study on vertigo appearing in the American Medical Association’s Archives of Otolaryngology showed that the homeopathic remedy for vertigo, Vertigoheel, improved the symptoms in 70% of the subjects–making it as effective as the standard drug betahistine.

If you decide to choose homeopathy, consider this:

Less Is More

Though critics maintain that homeopathic medicines are too diluted to be effective, homeopaths believe that smaller, more diluted doses are generally the most potent.

Mix And Match

Use the remedy that best corresponds to your symptoms. Books like The Natural Healing Companion can help you make informed decisions.

Understand Potency

When you’re positive you’ve got the right remedy, choose a higher potency. Less sure? Pick a lower one. Or try a combination of medications for a given condition. If you don’t get relief after 24 hours, try another remedy.
Very often, people find that in treating a “big” problem, like anxiety, “smaller” associated problems, like insomnia, heal as well. When treating serious conditions, consult your regular physician.

Homeopathic Therapy

No one wants to be slowed down by allergies. Allergies are caused by the immune system’s overreaction to a misidentified threat, such as pollen. The body’s cells defend themselves by releasing histamine, a chemical that causes an allergic cascade of familiar symptoms such as coughing, sneezing and runny nose.

Because histamines can affect other parts of the body, individuals with allergies also will suffer symptoms outside of the sinuses. These could include itchy eyes and skin. Allergy tests initiated by your practitioner can provide a better idea of what is causing the reaction, so it can be avoided all together.

Check out your local drug store for available homeopathic allergy relief to help you combat the adverse effects of allergens and its debilitating result on the way you live your life.