NATURAL ALLERGY RELIEF

Presented by

Debbie Markel, CH, CNHP, Certified Professional Herbalist

Apothecarian Herbals, LLC

3430-D Anderson Hwy, Powhatan, VA 23139

(804) 598-5352

www.herbalconsultant.com

WHY ARE WE ALLERGIC?

1. FACTS

a. A 1999 survey by the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI) in Chicago found that 38% of the 1000 adults polled had allergies.

b. 20% of Americans suffer from seasonal allergies, according to Lawrence B. Schwartz of Virginia Commonwealth University.

c. Allergies are merely your immune system gone haywire. It attacks a harmless substance that it mistakes for a dangerous substance, releasing inflammatory chemicals to flush it out.

d. Allergies can develop at any point in our lives.

e. People usually crave the very foods that worsen the symptoms!

2. THEORIES

a. HYGIENE: Some researchers believe in the hygiene hypothesis, which suggests we need more exposure to germs in childhood to develop a properly functioning immune system. Think of this as being similar to getting vaccinated against a disease. A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that children exposed to two or more pets in their first year were half as likely to have allergies to dust mites, ragweed, grass, dogs & cats at ages 6 & 7 than children without pets.

b. POLLUTION: Air pollution might be the trigger, but this hasn’t been scientifically proved.

c. ANTIBIOTICS: Heavy antibiotic use could be contributing to the problem. Antibiotics disrupt gastrointestinal flora, allowing yeast to grow. This in turn disturbs the mucosa in the gut, a protective barrier that helps prevent undigested food particles from passing into the bloodstream. When those particles are allowed to slip through, the body misreads them as dangerous & triggers food allergies, which can also make you more sensitive to other allergens (pollen, pet dander, etc.). We also absorb antibiotics from eating conventionally raised meat, poultry and eggs. Taking acidophilus can rebuild the flora in our intestinal tract, bringing back the natural balance.

d. FOOD: Refined carbs like white breads & pastas, candy & cookies, quickly convert to sugar in our bodies. Excessive sugars react just like overuse of antibiotics and can disturb the “good” bacteria in our bodies. We’re also not eating enough good foods & nutrients, like omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish oils), antioxidants & proteins, all of which reduce inflammation & keep our immune systems functioning properly. Also, we’re introducing infants to potential allergic foods too early (like milk, meats, nuts) and their digestive systems are too immature to handle them, setting the stage for future allergies. Finally, over-cooking food alters its natural chemistry, making the body unable to identify and digest it.

Click To Download TYPES OF ALLERGIES:

1. FOOD ALLERGIES

Most common are foods with high protein contents like eggs (albumen), milk (casein), wheat (gluten), peanuts, shellfish, soy. Other common allergens include MSG, aspartame (artificial sweetener), sulfites, FD&C Yellow #5 (food coloring), strawberries

2. AIRBORNE/ENVIRONMENTAL/MOLD CONTAMINANTS

Pollen, grass, dust, dust mites, ragweed (including chamomile), mold, pet dander, tobacco smoke, wood smoke, perfume, paint fumes, aerosol sprays, some medications, cockroach debris, cold air, exercise, exhaust fumes, pollution

3. INSECT STINGS/BITES

Mosquitoes (West Nile), bees, wasps, yellow jackets, mayflies, ticks (Lyme disease), etc.

IS IT ALLERGY OR INTOLERANCE?

1. ALLERGY SYMPTOMS

a. FOOD: Swelling of the lips, hoarseness, tightening of the throat, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, hives, rashes, eczema, wheezing, breathing problems, chronic fatigue, arthritis. Some serious allergies can lead to serious illness or death (anaphylaxis).

b. AIR-BORNE/ENVIRONMENTAL/MOLD CONTAMINANTS: Sneezing, runny nose, stuffy nose, post nasal drip, sudden onset of symptoms, itchy throat, itchy eyes, itchy ears, red eyes, wheezing, clear & thin nasal discharge, shortness of breath

c. INSECT STINGS/BITES: Pain, itching and swelling at the site of the sting or sometimes over a larger area. Stings can cause anaphylaxis in some people.

2. SYMPTOMS OF FOOD INTOLERANCE

a. Difficulty digesting a food, usually due to lack of a digestive enzyme. Nausea, constipation, diarrhea, cramping, gas. Increases as we age.

(1) lactose intolerance = lactase deficiency

(2) protein intolerance = protease deficiency

(3) carbohydrate intolerance = amylase deficiency

(4) fat intolerance = lipase deficiency

b. Headaches, flushing, fatigue, flu-like symptoms, aching muscles & joints, emotional disturbances.

Click To Download

DETERMINING ALLERGIES

1. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: The doctor will carefully look at your skin, eyes, nose, ears, lungs and abdomen. He or she may request diagnostic tests such as:

Blood tests

Lung x-rays

Pulmonary function tests

Cultures to detect infection

2. ALLERGY DIARY: A reaction may only occur when friends with pets visit, each time you eat a specific food, or only during a specific season. These recorded observations can help you to hone in on the offending allergens (substances that trigger your allergic reaction).

3. ALLERGY TESTS:

a. Elimination Diet - If a food allergy is suspected, your doctor may recommend an "elimination" diet. First the suspected food(s) are removed from your diet for several weeks. Then they are re-introduced one at a time while you are observed for signs of an allergic reaction.

b. Skin Tests - Considered to be generally accurate and comprehensive, skin tests are the most common form of allergy testing. They are best for determining airborne allergens such as dust, pollen, pet dander and molds and are somewhat less reliable for food allergens.

(1) Scratch Test - A small amount of the suspected allergen is placed on the skin (forearm, upper arm or back). The skin is then scratched or pricked, introducing the allergen under the surface. Several allergens can be tested at the same sitting.

(2) Intradermal Test - A small amount of the supposed allergen is injected under the surface of the skin.

(In both forms of testing the skin is observed closely for a reaction. Reactions take about 20 minutes to appear and can include swelling and redness or a controlled hive at the spot where the allergen was introduced.)

c. RAST Test - A RAST Test is a blood test. If there is a "true" allergic reaction, IgE antibodies are present in the blood. This test checks for the amount of the IgE antibodies.

HOLISTIC HELP FOR ALLERGIES

1. FOOD INTOLERANCES

· Digestive enzymes (specific or mixed: lactase, protease, amylase, lipase; e.g., Beano, Lactaid, mixed enzyme blends). Take prior to every meal.

· Avoidance (give up offending food)

· Substitutions (e.g., soymilk instead of cow’s milk, soy butter instead of peanut butter, etc.)

· If lactose intolerant, be sure to take calcium supplements (800 – 1500 mg daily)

2. FOOD ALLERGIES

· Avoidance

· Substitutions

· Herbal remedies:

(a) Digestive Formula

1 part marshmallow root

¼ part licorice root

½ part peppermint

½ part chamomile flowers

½ part fennel seeds

Water to cover the mixture 2 inches

Simmer roots & seeds for 30 minutes, add peppermint & chamomile, remove from heat & steep for another 15 minutes. Strain & store in jar. Drink 3 – 4 cups every day.

(b) Liver cleansing herbs, like dandelion root, burdock root, licorice

root, ginger root, Oregon grape root, etc. – to keep toxins moving out of the system effectively.

3. AIRBORNE/ENVIRONMENTAL/MOLD

· Avoidance

· Air cleaners/filters and have all ductwork cleaned annually

· Find and eliminate leaks and mold build-up in damp rooms (shower curtains, etc.)

· STOP SMOKING or avoid tobacco smoke

· Eliminate dairy products (cause mucus)

· Allergenic mattress/pillow covers

· Frequent vacuuming

· Nasal irrigations with saline solution (1/4 tsp salt + 1/8 tsp baking soda in 4 oz warm water, administered with an eyedropper to sinuses twice daily. Can buy saline mists at the drug store. Can also use a neti pot – see picture at the end)

· Quercetin powder or capsules (natural substance found in rind of apples & red onion skins) – natural antihistamine properties – 500 mg twice daily. Can work up to 1000 mg three times daily. Can take indefinitely.

· Nettles (Urtica dioica – herb) – treats symptoms – One to two 500 mg capsules every few hours – OR – nettle tea three times daily (can take indefinitely)

· Reishi Mushrooms (Ganoderma lucidum) – natural histamine blocker – 1000 mg to 2000 mg daily in divided doses depending on strength of capsules (take during allergy season)

· Echinacea & Goldenseal combination (support immune response): 2 capsules 3 times daily. Take 2 weeks, rest 1 week – during allergy season. Do not take if you have ragweed allergies

· Blood/liver cleansers (red clover, sage, Oregon grape root, barberry, burdock) – take during allergy season

· Licorice root (strengthens adrenal gland – do not use if hypertensive): 3 times daily during allergy season

· Astragalus (strengthens immune system): 1 dose (see bottle) 3 times daily. Could take indefinitely.

· Pantothenic acid (Vitamin B-5 – strengthens immune system): 100 – 250 mg 2 to 3 times daily. Can take indefinitely.

· Vitamin C (natural antihistamine): 1000 mg 2 times daily. Can take indefinitely.

· Zinc (immune builder): 50 mg once daily

· Green tea: 4 – 6 cups daily to add high concentrations of antioxidants

· Homeopathic formulas designed for allergies (consult a healthcare professional)

· Breathe steam twice daily for 15 – 20 minutes (steamy bathroom or use a steam inhaler or steam over the sink with a towel draped over your head)

· Acupuncture: Many people find that acupuncture can open nasal passages & decrease discharge from the nose. It can also reduce fatigue. It’s recommended treatment begin a few weeks before allergy season. Some people only need one treatment; others may need more.

4. INSECT STINGS/BITES

· Quercetin powder or capsules (see above – same protocol)

· Baking soda & water paste applied directly to bite

· Tea tree oil or lavender oil (external only!) – apply a drop to each bite/sting

· Plantain leaf or jewelweed poultice (crush & rub juice over bite – see Appendix A for a picture)

ALLERGY PREVENTION

1. REST: Get plenty of rest (7 – 8 hours of sleep a night)

2. EXERCISE: Exercise at least 30 minutes 3 times a week

3. EAT SMART: Eat whole, unprocessed foods and eliminate sugar

4. GET PROPER NUTRIENTS: Add nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids (from cold water fish), antioxidants (fruits & veggies) and protein (lean white meats, fish and legumes). Don’t eat too many meats, however, as they can put a strain on the kidneys. Americans eat much more meat than needed for optimum health.

5. HYDRATE: Drink plenty of water. This keeps cells from shrinking & creating gaps that allow allergens to get through.

6. BE JUDICIOUS WHEN USING ANTIBIOTICS: Only use them for infections that have been proved to be bacterial. They do no good for viruses.

7. REDUCE EXPOSURE TO ALLERGENS IF POSSIBLE

8. BREAST FEED YOUR BABIES: Breast feed as long as possible since breast milk provides antibodies that strengthen immunity. Don’t introduce any solid foods until at least 6 months of age.

ASTHMA

ASTHMA FACTS

More Americans than ever before are reporting that they suffer from the coughing, wheezing and struggle for breath that are the symptoms of asthma.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways. When exposed to "triggers" such as dust, pet dander, smoke, viruses, exercise or cold air, the "bronchi" which are the tubes to the lungs, constrict. This hampers the flow of air to and from the lungs, making it difficult to breathe.

According to the National Health Interview Survey Conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 1997:

26 million Americans say they were diagnosed with asthma sometime in their life.
10.6 million of these had an asthma attack in the last 12 months.
8.6 million are under the age of 18.
3.8 million of these young people also had an asthma episode in the past 12 months.
Asthma accounted for over 5,000 deaths.
Studies show that there are many more Americans suffering from undiagnosed asthma.

Asthma strikes Across All Age, Sex and Racial Groups

Asthma is more prevalent among blacks and Hispanics than whites.
Blacks are three times as likely as whites to be hospitalized for asthma.
Three times as many blacks die of asthma as whites.
More women die of asthma than men.
Asthma is also more prevalent among children than adults.

The higher rates of hospitalization and deaths for minorities are linked to poverty, urban air quality, indoor allergens, insufficient medical care and follow-up, and limited access to medications such as inhalers and nebulizers.

Asthma and Children

Asthma is the most common chronic childhood disease.
For children between the ages of 5 and 17, asthma is the number one cause of school absences due to a chronic illness.
10 million school days are lost each year because of asthma.
Children with asthma are restricted to bed an estimated 7.3 million days per year

From www.yahoo.com/centers/asthma_allergy/ May 10, 2002

Asthma Treatments

a. Licorice: Anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-spasmodic, antitussive, demulcent, expectorant. DO NOT USE IF HYPERTENSIVE.

b. Skullcap: Anti-inflammatory

c. Aloe vera: Extract only used for 6 months

d. Ginkgo biloba: Anti-inflammatory & bronchodilator

e. Magnesium sulfate: 500 mg daily – Anti-inflammatory & bronchodilator

f. Vitamins B6 (50 mg daily), B12 (1000 mcg daily sublingually), A (10,000 i.u. daily in beta-carotene form) and E (400 mg 2 times daily)

g. Flax oil (1 –2 tbsp. daily) and fish oil (1000 mg daily).

h. Reduce red meats, dairy & other allergen-causing foods

i. Increase consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables

j. Onions and grapes contain quercetin and help stabilize cells that produce an

attack

Maintenance Formula

Garlic

Vitex

Buckthorn

Ground ivy

Blue vervain

Mix in equal parts. Simmer 4 tbsp. mixture in 1 qt. water for 20 minutes and strain. Take 3 to 4 tbsp. 3 or 4 times a day

Attack Formula

Lobelia

Garlic

Euphorbia

Ground ivy

Yerba santa

Blackthorn

Gum plant

Blue vervain

Cayenne

Simmer 8 tbsp. mixture in 1 qt. water for 30 minutes and strain. Take 4 tbsp. as a first dose, followed by 2 tbsp. every 1/2 hour. When the attack subsides, take 4 tbsp. every 4 hours.

Click To Download FOOD FACTS

1. Fruits are the most cleansing foods of all. Eat fresh fruits that are in season. Eating only fresh fruits in the mornings will clean the digestive system. Fruits contain vitamins, minerals & enzymes. Juices are much more concentrated in sugars and aren’t recommended for massive consumption. They can be diluted 50-50 with water to cut down on the sugar content.

2. Green plants heal and build blood. They’re rich sources of enzymes if eaten raw or lightly steamed. Vegetable soup makes a nourishing, healthy breakfast! Our diets should be made up of mostly vegetables.

3. Proteins build muscle and feed the nervous system. Too much protein disrupts digestion and strains the kidneys and adrenals. Our diets should be about 10% protein. The more concentrated the protein (like red meats), the longer it takes to digest. To neutralize over-consumption of concentrated proteins, add alfalfa to the diet. It helps relieve pain from too much acid-forming foods, like proteins.

4. Carbohydrates/Starches are our chief source of energy, promote proper muscular function & assist in digestion & assimilation. Refined carbs are harmful and feed yeast. Whole carbs are essential for proper nutrition. Whole grains, beans and brown rice are the best source of whole carbs.

5. “Good fats” like omega-3 and omega-6 have been shown to dramatically and positively affect mental health, digestion and proper cell functions. Omitting good oils, like fish, flax, primrose and olive is actually dangerous. Flaxseed oil contains both omega-3 and omega-6. Aspirin decreases absorption of omega-3.

6. According to the American Journal of Natural Medicine, 1996, a two year study compared the difference in the nutritional value of organic foods compared with commercial foods. Organic foods were significantly lower in heavy metals, like lead, mercury and aluminum, and the level of essential and trace minerals was roughly twice that of supermarket varieties.

7. Roughly 2/3 of the world’s population is lactose intolerant (80% of blacks, almost all Asians, Native Americans, South Americans and 24% of Caucasians). Milk contains antibodies of grass pollen, dust mites, mold and wheat proteins. Pasteurization is a heat process to kill bacteria. In addition to killing bad bacteria, pasteurizing milk kills friendly bacteria and enzymes, making milk extremely difficult to digest. Milk causes mucus. Ear infections can be cleared up by eliminating milk. Calcium depletes magnesium in the body, leading to insomnia, constipation, anxiety, irritability, muscle spasms & cramps. If one takes calcium or drinks milk, he/she needs magnesium to help absorb the calcium. Cows are given steroids and antibiotics which are passed through to their milk.

8. Cocoa powder is high in magnesium. Chocolate cravings can be an indication of a calcium or magnesium imbalance. Because chocolate contains a lot of sugar, however, it’s better to take calcium & magnesium supplements to keep the body in balance. Note that magnesium has a huge affect on mental health and also note how women crave chocolate when experiencing PMS!

9. Caffeine stimulates the adrenal glands & depletes the body of potassium, magnesium, calcium & B vitamins.

10. Sugar is intoxicating and addictive. The ill-effects include: malabsorption of protein, calcium & other minerals; retarded growth of friendly intestinal bacteria, injury to the pancreas, affecting insulin production; decreased concentration & mood swings; unstable blood sugar levels; decrease in immune system function.

11. Aspartame upsets the amino acid & neurotransmitter balances in the body. It disturbs hormonal homeostasis. In 1994, the U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services reported to the FDA that of all adverse reactions reported, 75% involved products containing aspartame! It can make hypoglycemia worse. It has been shown to cause tumors in rats. The American Diabetic Association receives funding from NutraSweet, so they only report positives about this additive.

12. FIBER, FIBER, FIBER!

13. Vegetarians who don’t eat dairy or eggs cannot get vitamin B-12 except from a supplement or nutritional yeast.

14. Many people with severe arthritis have a reduction in pain after avoiding all red meats & foods in the nightshade family (potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, chili, paprika, pimento, cayenne and tobacco).

15. Alcoholic beverages can aggravate allergy symptoms in some people. Wine is the worst offender and beer is a close second.

MORE INFORMATION

The Food Allergy Network

10400 Eaton Place Suite 107

Fairfax, VA 22030

(703) 691-3179

(1-800) 929-4040

www.foodallergy.org/

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology

611 East Wells St.

Milwaukee, WI 53202

(414) 272-6071

The American Dietetic Association

216 W. Jackson Blvd.

Chicago, IL 60606-6995

(1-800) 877-1600

www.eatright.org/

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine – National Institutes of Health

www.nccam.nih.gov

For a free copy of An FDA Consumer Special Report: Focus on Food Labeling, which includes an article on ingredient labeling, write to FDA, HFE-88, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD 20857. Publication No. (FDA) 94-2279 www.fda.gov/

REFERENCES

Aschwanden, Christie, “Spotlight on Seasonal Allergies,” Alternative Medicine, April, 2003, p. 27.

Eisenhauer, David, “Alternative Treatments for ‘Hyperactive Airways,’ “ Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, January, 2003, p. 52.

Leavitt, Kathryn, “Why are We So Allergic?” Natural Health Magazine, March, 2003: p. 73.

Weintraub, Skye, Allergies and Holistic Healing. Pleasant Grove, UT, Woodland Publishing, 1997.

Neti Pot: