If you live in a state where ephedra is banned, or if you have high blood pressure and are sensitive to ephedra products, another excellent and old-time remedy for clearing the lungs is the herb lobelia (pronounced low-beel-ya). Lobelia (Lobelia inflata) is used for many afflictions, including asthma, because of its expectorant abilities—this means that it helps the body clear out toxins and mucus. As a member of the lobeline family, lobelia acts in a similar way on the nervous system as nicotine does—in fact, it was once smoked by Native Americans instead of tobacco. Even today, supplementing with lobelia has been useful in supporting those who want to stop smoking.
Be warned, however, that lobelia is both an emetic and an expectorant, so taking this herb along with cigarettes may make you very queasy after smoking. This nauseating effect has helped many associate their sick stomach feeling to cigarettes and has made quitting easier.
Lobelia also serves to calm the nervous system and is another reason why nervous smokers might like lobelia. For asthma, lobelia works to relax constricted bronchials, making it much easier to breathe.
Small doses work best with lobelia—taking too much at once (even if you are not a smoker) might make you nauseous or even cause you to vomit. However, once this passes you should feel better than ever because the toxins have been expelled. Start out with one capsule of lobelia and see how you do before taking more.
The recent death of a student using Chinese herbal medicine has reignited controversy over alternative therapies. With little regulation and scant evidence of effectiveness, are users risking their health?
Ling Wang, a 25-year-old PhD student, died after taking Chinese herbal medicine to treat a stomach upset and skin rash.
An inquest last month heard that Ling, from Newcastle, fell into a coma and died shortly after taking the medicine in tea or pill form last August.
One in five Britons uses some kind of complementary therapy, according to an ICM poll, but the industry is largely unregulated and there's little or no evidence that many of the therapies work.
In fact, only osteopathy and chiropractic therapy are covered by regulations insisting that practitioners be qualified with a relevant body.
Other types of practitioners may be registered with a representative body. But Ian Cambury-Smith of the Prince's Foundation for Integrated Health says: "Although many of these are ethically sound, there are so many of them that it can be confusing, and standards vary."
The government is considering regulating for herbal medicine, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture.
This summer, a Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council will start work.
It's a single body that will cover a range of therapies, ensuring its members meet certain criteria and will be governed by a code of ethics.
So in the event of something going wrong, you can make a complaint.
"However, it's voluntary, so a therapist can still practise even if they're not registered," says Ian Cambury-Smith.
"And it has nothing to do with effectiveness, so there's no guarantee that the therapy will help you. But it will help people feel reassured that its practitioners are reputable."
Here we look at the safety of, and the evidence behind, the most popular therapies...
Chinese herbal medicine
Chinese herbs - as teas, pills or creams - are used for a variety of conditions.
The evidence: Some research has found that certain herbal blends could have a benefit.
For example, a study at the Chinese University of Hong Kong found that a concoction of herbs could help ease eczema.
But it's crucial that you visit a reputable practitioner as some medicines have been found to contain banned substances that could have serious side-effects.
Research at King's College Hospital, London, analysed 11 Chinese herbal creams prescribed for eczema and found that eight contained powerful steroids.
For a reputable practitioner contact the register of Chinese Herbal Medicine: www. rchm.co.uk.
Homeopathy
Homeopaths claim to be able to treat a wide variety of physical and emotional conditions by treating "like with like".
They believe a substance that in large doses produces the symptoms of a disease will, in small doses, cure it. So it is diluted until little of is left in the remedy, the idea being that dilution enhances its positive effects and removes the negative ones.
For example, urtica urens from the stinging nettle is used for treating skin rashes.
The evidence: In 2005 an analysis of several major homeopathy trials published in The Lancet showed that homeopathic remedies had no more effect than a placebo.
Sarah Buckingham of the British Homeopathic Association claims that the analysis was flawed. She said: "Most independent scientific observers would regard The Lancet paper as inconclusive."
But Edzard Ernst, professor of complementary medicine at the University of Exeter, agrees there's no evidence the remedies work.
"Homeopaths tend to be gentle, understanding people.
In my view, it's this care and attention that helps people feel better," he says.
Chiropractic and osteopathy
Both use spinal manipulation, aiming to detect and treat problems with the joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons.
"The type of manipulation varies between therapies, and chiro-practors are trained to take X-rays while osteopaths aren't," says Leicester chiropractor Tim Hutchful.
The evidence: A large trial found that spinal manipulation could be effective for low back pain. Both osteopathy and chiropractic are widely accepted by the medical profession, with doctors frequently referring patients.
And both are regulated, which means it's illegal for a practitioner to work without a licence.
But Prof Ernst has some concerns.
"Neck manipulation could be dangerous and has been linked with problems such as stroke. I would advise against letting a practitioner touch your neck," he says.
Tim Hutchful disagrees: "Canadian research found people who visit a chiropractor were no more likely to have a stroke than those visiting a doctor," he says.
Visit the British Chiropractic Association at chiropractic-uk.co.uk; or the general osteopathic council at osteopathy.org.uk
Acupuncture
An ancient Chinese treatment, acupuncture involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the body. The idea is that stimulation of these points can ease illness by rebalancing the body's "energies".
The evidence: German research last year found that acupuncture was more effective than conventional treatment for easing lowerback pain.
"Evidence shows it may work for some conditions, including osteoarthritis and morning sickness," says Prof Ernst.
"What we don't fully understand is how - there isn't evidence to support the theory that it brings "energies" into balance."
Acupuncturist Persis Tamboly stresses the importance of seeing a qualified practitioner.
"Acupuncture can be dangerous if someone isn't properly trained," she says.
Visit the British Acupuncture Council at www.acupuncture.org.uk
Applied kinesiology
It uses muscle-strength testing to diagnose dysfunction or imbalance in the body's organs - it's thought this can show up as weakness in the corresponding muscle. Practitioners also claim to be able to diagnose allergies or intolerances. Treatment might involve manual muscle stimulation and diet changes.
The evidence: Last year, research published in the journal Chiropractic and Osteopathy found there was little to support the theory that AK can diagnose - some studies found muscle responses were random, while there was no evidence to show diagnoses were any better than guesswork.
Visit the British Complementary Medicine association: www.bcma.co.uk
SAFETY FIRST
If you decide to visit a complementary or alternative practitioner, you should always inform your GP, especially if you have a condition or are on medication.
REAL LIFE STORIES
"I had a baby after I had acupuncture"
Helen Branch, 36, became pregnant with Emily, now eight weeks, after a course of acupuncture.
"I first conceived in 2004, in the first month of trying," says Helen, from South-east London.
"But there were complications - at 30 weeks I had to have an emergency caesarean. Our baby, Max, died two months later."
About a year after that, Helen became pregnant again.
"I thought everything was fine but when I went for my 12-week scan they told me I'd lost the baby. A few months later, I got pregnant again but had a miscarriage. At that point, I hit a real low."
Inspired by friends who'd had healthy pregnancies after acupuncture, Helen began treatment every two weeks.
According to a German study, it can significantly improve the chances of pregnancy and some orthodox fertility experts, including Harley Street midwife Zita West, use acupuncture in their practices.
"The therapist did a lot of work bringing energy back into the area where I'd had the caesarean."
Six months on, Helen was pregnant.
"I continued to have acupuncture through my pregnancy. I felt very positive all the way along, and had a beautiful, healthy baby," she says.
"I really believe it was acupuncture that made a difference. It rebalanced me physically but it also helped me emotionally."
"I had a stroke after neck treatment"
Ten years ago, Frances Denoon, now 38, sought help for a stiff neck from a chiropractor in Bristol.
"My GP agreed it could be a good idea, so I found a registered practitioner,' says the mum-of-one.
In the first two sessions, Frances felt reassured that the practitioner took a detailed history and gave her an X-ray. But on her third visit, he performed a technique called a high-velocity thrust on her neck.
"Suddenly I was unable to focus and felt pain. But he didn't seem too worried and left me lying on the couch."
Eventually, though, Frances began being sick and the chiropractor called an ambulance.
"At the hospital, MRI scans showed that I'd had a stroke caused by a vertebral artery dissection and doctors said it was induced by the manipulation."
Frances lapsed into a coma and was in hospital for two months.
"I made a good recovery but even now I have some weakness in my right side. Afterwards, I started to feel angry. I engaged a solicitor and built up a case against the practitioner but he was cleared because, despite what the doctor had said, it couldn't be proven that he'd been negligent.
"I started a support group, chirovictims.org.uk, for people who believe they've been injured in any way by treatment I'm concerned about neck manipulation and think people should be aware of the risks I'd thought it was a harmless treatment but it nearly killed me."
The Chinese have used Chinese ephedra (Ephedra equisetina), also known as ma haung, for centuries as a wonder herb for many different uses. One of its greatest attributes is the bronchodilator effect it has on the body, but it may also be used in herbal preparations designed for weight loss. This herb is a strong heart and nervous system stimulant and therefore is not suitable for everyone.
Epinephrine, the medication used in over-the-counter asthma and allergy medications such as Sudafed®, Contac®, and Primatene Mist®, has very similar chemical properties to ephedra. For an asthma attack, one capsule of this herb can be effective right away, but make sure you are not sensitive to ephedra before taking any more than that.
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Asthma is a disease characterized by shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing due to bronchial constriction. In severe cases, a person may pass out from oxygen deprivation, and sometimes emergency trips to the hospital are required. Bronchodilator medications are used by many asthmatics to force open their air passageways. Many causes are linked to asthma, including allergic reactions, emotional issues, adrenal gland imbalances, spinal misalignment, environmental pollutants, and dehydration. It’s best to understand what is causing your attacks in the first place and use herbs to correct the problem. However, for a quick fix, the next herb we’ll talk about can force open the air passage ways and allow you to breathe easier right away.
Herbal supplements are a type of dietary supplement that contains herbs.
An herb (also called a botanical) is a plant or plant part used for its scent, flavor and/or therapeutic properties.
Many herbs have a long history of claimed health benefits. However, some herbs have caused health problems for users.
- It's important to know that just because an herbal supplement is labeled "natural" doesn’t mean it is safe or without harmful effects. For example, the herbs kava and comfrey have been linked to serious liver damage.
- Herbal supplements can act in the same way as drugs. Therefore, they can cause medical problems if not used correctly or if taken in large amounts. In some cases, people have experienced negative effects even though they followed the instructions on a supplement label.
- Women who are pregnant or nursing should be especially cautious about using herbal supplements, since these products can act like drugs. This caution also applies to children.
- It is important to consult your health care provider before using an herbal supplement, especially if you are taking any medications (whether prescription or over-the-counter). Some herbal supplements are known to interact with medications in ways that cause health problems. Even if your provider does not know about a particular supplement, he can access the latest medical guidance on its uses, risks and interactions.
- Published investigations of herbal supplements have found differences between what's listed on the label and what's in the bottle. This means that you may be taking less--or more--of the supplement than what the label indicates. Also, the word "standardized" on a product label does not guarantee higher product quality, since in the United States there is no legal definition of "standardized" (or "certified" or "verified") for supplements.
- The active ingredient(s) in many herbs and herbal supplements are not known. There may be dozens, even hundreds, of such compounds in an herbal supplement. Scientists are currently working to identify these ingredients and analyze products, using sophisticated technology.
- Some herbal supplements have been found to be contaminated with metals, unlabeled prescription drugs, microorganisms or other substances.
- There has been an increase in the number of Web sites that sell and promote herbal supplements on the Internet. The Federal Government has taken legal action against a number of company sites because they have been shown to contain incorrect statements and to be deceptive to consumers. It is important to know how to evaluate the claims that are made for supplements. Some sources are listed below.
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) Clearinghouse
Pradeep Chauhan
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Numerous studies have demonstrated the anti-cancer properties of antioxidant polyphenols. Some studies have suggested that tea's polyphenols may reduce the risk of gastric, esophageal and skin cancers, if one consumes 4 to 6 cups daily. Another study showed that just 2 cups of tea may lower the risk of ovarian cancer by 46 percent in women. Other studies have found that polyphenols help prevent blood clotting and lower cholesterol levels. One Japanese study found that green tea lowers death rates from heart disease.
The variety of tastes is quite large: Raspberry Tea, Peach Tea, Nana Tea, Lemon Tea, Cherry Tea – and most importantly – no side effects. It may appear surprising that drinking something like tea should cause anything at all, yet it is important to know the facts. As turns out, caffeine may act upon our moods – especially if you have a tendency towards depression – be aware – consuming caffeine may depress you even more.
Herbal teas can be made with fresh or dried flowers, leaves, seeds or roots, generally by pouring boiling water over the plant parts and letting them steep for a few minutes. Seeds and roots can also be boiled on a stove. The tisane is then strained, sweetened if so desired, and served. Many companies produce herbal tea bags for such infusions.
Chamomile tea is a favorite herbal tea that many use if they have trouble sleeping. It has natural sedative, antiinflamatory and antispasmodic properties so is also good for cramps. Due to it´s calming benefits it is often used to help relieve anxiety. It is rich in essential oil and can help the digestive system function properly. Chamomile is also very good for your skin and you can wet a cloth in the tea and use it as a skin cleanser or compress.
Rooibos can strongly be recommended for people suffering from irritability, headaches, disturbed sleeping patterns, insomnia, nervous tension, mild depression or hypertension, as it contains no caffeine and has a soothing effect on the central nervous system.
Delicious Tea to Try
Rose hips (Rosa species ) are members of the rose family. With a lemony tart taste and antiseptic properties, rose hips are a natural source of vitamin C and bioflavonoids. They are considered a liver, kidney and blood tonic, and are regarded as a remedy for fatigue, colds and cough.
Peppermint (Mentha piperita ) leaf, one of the most recognized members of the mint family, aids digestion, calms nausea, freshens the breath and even has antiseptic properties that can help relieve cold and flu conditions. Peppermint has a refreshing cool flavor that makes it one of the most beloved herbs as well as a perfect after dinner tea.
Hawthorn teas are popular among herbal tea consumers who want instant results. The tea is known to help cleanse the blood and aid in lowering blood sugar as well as helping with significant liver complications.
Kava Kava is one of the herbal teas which has been credited for helping with overall heart health, while lowering cholesterol and helping maintain a healthier blood pressure. Kava Kava is the tea which is credited for being the heart healthy tea.
Wild lettuce leaves contain properties that can serve to ease anxiety. Many times wild lettuce will come in the form of a tincture and needs refrigeration. A well-known combination of herbs used for general stress management includes a mix of chamomile, passion flower, hops, fennel, marshmallow, and feverfew.
Other supplements that feed the nervous system include the B-complex vitamins. Magnesium also serves as a muscle relaxant and can help in tension that accompanies high anxiety. Other stress-management ideas are psychotherapy, meditation, body work, quiet time for journaling, taking a bath, and playing calming music. All will help you calm yourself by refocusing your energy.
For panic attacks with a “hot” condition in the body, hops (Humulus lupulus) is a better choice over valerian. You will know when you or someone is having a hot-type attack because the face becomes flushed and the person is more actively hysterical.
Hops are mild herbal downers and are used in making beer. This may be the reason that some folks like to wind down with a few beers after work or on the weekends—they just may be craving the soothing effects of the hops. Ironically, hops have been used to ease DTs (effects from alcohol withdrawal), and they support the nervous system and can help you calm your anxiety. Take two hops capsules before bed if you are having trouble sleeping, a cup or two of chamomile and hop tea will work as well, plus the chamomile makes the tea taste good.
Neither valerian nor hops should be used consistently over long periods of time, however, because they can bring you down too far. Use them during times of change or stress that can trigger anxiety, or as a safe relaxing aid.
For panic attacks in progress, or to help prevent attacks when you feel vulnerable, take a few capsules of the herb valerian root (Valeriana officinalis). Valerian root is nourishing and soothing to the nervous system and can ease hysteria. It contains calcium and magnesium and calms without the sedative side effects of prescription drugs. The energetics of valerian seem to work best on folks who are in a “cold” condition, which means that they might look pale, have cold extremities, or feel clammy to the touch. This herb also has been used in folk medicine to promote sleep. As a sleep aid try two to three capsules before bed. In northern England, the dried root is added to meats as a preservative. To obtain the best medicinal effects from valerian, it should be dried because it gets stronger with age.
Anxiety is a common and normal part of life, especially when trying to find the best herb for your needs in a hot, crowded health food store with hundreds of people shoving past you wildly grabbing herbs to stockpile for the year 2000 crises! Just kidding.
An anxiety attack is also commonly referred to as a panic attack. Either is brought on by excessive fear and can be characterized by the following:
- A rapid heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
- An out-of-control feeling
- Shaking
- Uncontrollable crying
These attacks are more common in women than men and are usually related to some psychological factor. Too much change at one time, family- or work-related stresses, or anything that makes you feel overwhelmed can trigger an attack.
Other factors that could trigger or disguise themselves as panic attacks are:
- Food stimulants, such as caffeine or sugar.
- Any foods to which you could be allergic.
- Chemical food additives such as MSG (mono sodium glutamate), aspartame (commonly known as NutriSweet®), and the like could also make you have what you believe to be a panic attack.
If these attacks are a recurring problem, it is helpful to take notes and record what you have eaten, drunk, or even chewed before each of your attacks. A daily journal can give you feedback on the big picture and will help you pinpoint patterns.
Supporting your digestion with raw foods and supplemental enzymes will help in all food allergies and food intolerance. As I explained earlier, proper digestion is a key factor in eliminating food allergy symptoms. Let’s take a look at the digestive process so you can understand why digestion is so important. Digestion begins in the mouth. When we chew our foods, food particles are mixed with enzymes in the saliva called amylase. Then the partially digested food gets swallowed and enters the stomach. The stomach churns the food and secretes hydrochloric acid to sterilize the food and break it down further.
The stomach relies on enzymes contained in raw foods to help break down the foods we eat. If the food was processed or cooked, it will be devoid of enzymes, so the pancreas and liver have to kick in to produce enzymes to aid the digestion process. After all this takes place, the food (now called chyme) enters the small intestines where it begins the process of being absorbed by tiny protrusions inside the intestines called villi. Sounds good, you say? So what’s the problem? Plenty of things can go wrong along the way, and here are a few:
- If the stomach did not have enough hydrochloric acid available to digest properly,
- If the liver and pancreas couldn’t come up with the right amount of enzymes to properly break down the food, and
- If you didn’t start off your digestive process correctly because you wolfed down your meal, inhibiting the proper amount of amylase enzyme needed to do a complete job, then troubles begin.
This inefficient digestion (caused by improper food and improper eating habits) will leave us vulnerable to undigested food particles passing through to the blood stream. The blood stream is the vehicle the body uses to distribute nutrients to the rest of the body. When food is properly broken down to its correct size, the immune system politely acknowledges it just as a friendly police officer would tip his hat to a lawabiding passerby, and expresses no need for concern.
However, when a big ol’ food particle passes through, and doesn’t fit the profile of a properly digested particle (i.e., law-abiding citizen), the body recognizes it as an invader and sends off the alarms for the immune system (our internal police) to go into attack mode! When the immune system is trying to get rid of foreign invaders, you will usually experience some type of allergy-type symptom. This is what makes it so important to supply the body enzymes with the cooked foods we eat and to chew thoroughly. It not only will help your digestion, but will aid in calming an overly stimulated immune system and will help put your allergies to rest.
Many different symptoms can be linked to or caused by food allergies or food intolerance, including these:
➤ Respiratory ailments
➤ Skin reactions and rashes
➤ Mood swings
➤ Restriction of bronchials
➤ Migraines or headaches
➤ Racing heart or palpitations
➤ Copious mucus production
➤ Fatigue
➤ Flatulence and belching
➤ Heartburn
➤ Diarrhea or constipation
Sometimes food intolerance is created over the years by eating a food every day. For instance, allergy to wheat is one of the most common food allergies. Wheat can be found in almost everything these days, including pasta, breads, crackers, and cereals. It’s not that wheat is bad, but eating a food over and over can deplete our body’s enzymes for breaking down that particular food. This can lead to improper digestion of the food, and when improperly digested food particles pass into the blood stream, they are unrecognizable to your immune system. As a result, your body considers these particles foreign bodies that should be attacked.
This attack of your immune system may be experienced as allergy symptoms. The best way to find out if you are intolerant or allergic to a food is to eliminate it from your diet completely for a couple weeks. Watch the signals your body gives you as you abstain. Sometimes you will drool, have wild cravings, get grouchy, or have headaches for the first few days. This withdrawal is a good indication that you might have had a food allergy. After a couple weeks, eat a small portion of the food again. You should be able to tell right away if you are experiencing any negative effects from the food. You can also take a pulse test to see if you might have a food allergy.
Once you know what you are allergic to, you will need to eliminate it while you build up your enzyme reserves in the body again. The most common food allergies are to wheat, corn, eggs, peanuts, dairy, citrus fruits, MSG and other food additives, chocolate (oh no!), and vegetables of the nightshade family (tomatoes, chili peppers, eggplant, potatoes).
Many good herbs for the respiratory system exist, such as horseradish, which can clear out your sinuses immediately. Horseradish is a very strong herb (and condiment) and should be used carefully, as it might burn sensitive tissues. You can find horseradish usually combined with other herbal combinations for the respiratory system, such as fenugreek, mullein, fennel, and boneset.
Vitamin C and pantothenic acid (one of the B vitamins) sometimes have helped to arrest or slow down the allergy attack, and these should be considered in severe cases. Both of these vitamins are water-soluble, which means that excess will leave your body and will not cause a toxic build-up like a fat-soluble vitamin can. There’s no way to eliminate the airborne allergens from the outside, but here are some tips you can use to change your home environment:
- If you are allergy-free during hay fever season but have symptoms at other times of the year, you could be allergic to mold spores, dust, or other airborne particles. Pinpointing exactly what you are allergic to will be helpful in your recovery, but there is no harm in taking all my suggestions here.
- Clean all linens, bedding, and pillows thoroughly. These tend to harbor dust mites, which can irritate the respiratory system and add to your sneezing. When washing, add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to the wash water. This natural oil kills dust mites and other pests and will help purify the wash. Allergenic pillowcase covers and other protective covers can be put over your existing bedding to protect your sensitive sinus passages. These can be found in many different natural health product catalogs.
- If you are allergic to dust and live in a dry climate, a humidifier will help keep the dust particles from flying around shamelessly. Pure essential oil of lemon or other citrus fruit oil will help purify the air you breathe. If you are allergic to molds, a humidifier may not be the best choice. But if you live in a moist climate and have mold and fungus spores, try diffusing tea tree or eucalyptus oil (both anti-fungal remedies), which can help keep the mold count down in the room you are diffusing.
- For eye irritants, make an herbal eyewash from a tea made from golden seal, bayberry, eyebright, and red raspberry, or any mixture of the four. Be sure to strain all the herbs from the tea. Once it is cool, use a dropper and administer as eye drops for itching, swollen, or infected eyes. This will help tone the eyes and take the itch out. Refrigerate tea, and do not keep for longer than two to three days at a time.
- Lemonade with capsicum is a cleansing drink that can be taken every day to help cleanse the body and push out irritants from the system. Make some homemade fresh lemonade, and add a pinch of cayenne pepper. The combination will taste sour and hot at the same time, an interesting combination. Try it—you’ll like it.
If I had my choice of only one herb for hay fever or any allergy, I would have to utilize bee pollen. Bee pollen has proved to be one of the best foods/herbs that will help with allergies of any kind. Bee pollen is exactly what it sounds like: not a substance made by bees, but a substance collected from bees. It is usually gathered by gently scraping off the hind legs of the bees after they return home from a day of feeding on flowers and plants. Beekeepers set up special homes for bees that squeeze the collected pollen into a container when the bee enters the hive.
When the bee drinks from a flower, he is naturally dusted with the flower pollen. He spreads this pollen to the next flower or plant he feasts on and, in turn, is instrumental in the reproductive life of plants. When the bee returns home, the beekeepers save up the pollen and bring it to you for your allergies.
Bee pollen is rich in many nutrients. Just a few
include these:
➤ Zinc
➤ Vitamin A
➤ Vitamin C
➤ Calcium
➤ Potassium
➤ Iron
➤ B-complex vitamins
➤ Enzymes
You can consider bee pollen a survival food because it contains every substance needed by the body to maintain life. Bee pollen is most effective when taken before your typical allergy season begins. If you know when your most intensive suffering season is, begin taking bee pollen three months beforehand, and slowly increase your dosages as the season hits. Maintain dosages during the entire time, or increase as needed. Some believe that bee pollen is more effective if you get local pollen from local beekeepers, but I have seen local and non-local bee pollen work for all types of allergies. If you have severe allergies, a local pollen may cause more reaction at first. Bee pollen works by slowing helping your body to build a resistance to the allergens. Taking it is like inoculating yourself against allergies. Because bee pollen strengthens the entire body by nourishing you, any bee pollen you can obtain should prove helpful, but your best bet is to begin with small doses and work your way up slowly.
In general, allergy symptoms are miserable. Some people suffer from different types of allergies; however, whether you are allergic to hay, pollens, molds, animal dander, or things that irritate your skin when you come in contact with them, the irritating symptoms are all quite common.
Most allergy symptoms (not including food allergies, which will be addressed later) include one or more of the following symptoms:
- Itchy throat, nose, eyes, and ears
- Watery eyes
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Tightness in chest
- Sneezing, coughing
- Fever
The good news is that your body is still working by giving you a runny nose, watery eyes, and generally making you miserable. As irritating as these symptoms are, they are mechanisms that are protecting your body from accepting what it believes to be a toxin. Helping your body get rid of these toxins is better than plugging them up with medications and having the toxins settle back into your tissues. Your body will need a little rest and some cleansing if you are experiencing any type of allergies. Fortunately, some herbal remedies can help alleviate some symptoms and boost your immune system, which can raise your tolerance level for new allergens. Let’s take a look at which ones!
To cleanse the bowel, colonic irrigations or Ivy’s colon cleanse should prove helpful almost right away, although the red clover or burdock root may act as a mild laxative for you. You can utilize a periodic herbal cleansing to assist your body with any ailment, and it will make you feel better and healthier and clear up your skin. A cleanse doesn’t need to be harsh to be effective. A gentle, slow-cleansing action can be obtained by adjusting your herbs accordingly. Red clover, in fact, acts as a slow detoxifier. See your herbalist to find a cleanse that is right for your body. Otherwise, give Ivy’s cleanse a try. Tea tree oil may be used topically to help dry up the condition. Don’t forget to get a little sunshine on your face, too.
