Health/Natural: Relief from Allergies

Q. Help! My nose is running, my ears ache, and my throat is sore. My allergies are making me miserable!

A. In our part of the world (Southeast USA) sinus problems and allergies are running rampant. This fall season has been a new a different phenomenon, with extremely dry and unusually warm weather. (We haven't had a decent, soaking rain for about 2 months now.) Allergy problems are at an all-time high in our area. The amount of dust and pollution in the air is higher than normal due to the dryness. North Carolina and other states in our region are in a severe drought condition and without the rain to literally wash down the dust and particulates in the air, we have extreme conditions for those with sensitive respiratory systems and fall allergies. I'm not sure where you live, but if you also live in a region which is lacking in rainfall, this could explain why your allergies are worse this year than normal.

What can we do to assist the body in dealing with respiratory allergies in general? Let's start with an understanding of what allergies are... The body becomes unable to effectively deal with certain substances like pollens, molds and dust – the list goes on and on. The mucous membranes in the body literally send out a flood of histamine in a hyper-state of over-reacting to whatever the substance is, which then leads to an irritation of the mucous membranes that are affected. Nasal secretion, watery itchy swollen eyes, sore throat, sneezing, headache and earache can be some of the symptoms. The allopathic approach and over-the-counter approach chooses to treat these symptoms with anti-histamine drugs, which can work fine in some individuals, but for long term use can become less and less effective and can produce some unwanted side effects.

The best way to approach this situation from a natural point of view is to realize exactly what mucous membranes are. When I first understood this important reality, I was able to treat not only my own allergies, but help guide others more effectively. The mucous membranes exist as a continuous system which run from the nasal passages, through the ears, eyes, throat and lungs. They also run from the mouth, down the throat, through the stomach, small intestines, to the colon and out the rectal area. Consider what this means – that from the head through the base of the torso run a continuous pathway of mucous membranes. Due to this fact, we can say that what happens in one area of the membrane system is usually echoed in another. This means that toxins in the upper sinuses and lungs can reflect toxins in the lower intestinal track, and treating the colon with regular intestinal cleansing and eating a healthy diet can truly benefit the upper mucous membranes of the respiratory system.

I usually recommend a good herbal/fiber cleanse (non-fasting) to be done in the Spring and the Fall of the year. A cleanse can be anywhere from 2 to 4 or more weeks depending upon the needs of the person. The average cleanse is usually 4 weeks, as this allows the body time to release toxins. Eat a healthy, whole foods diet during this time, eliminating caffeine, sugar, fried foods and most dairy products. Add more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and drink plenty of clean water (6-8 glasses per day) along with herb teas. Doing regular cleanses can definitely aid in renewing the system and calming down an overly sensitive immune system, and eating a good daily diet in general will help maintain those improvements that cleansing can help bring about.

There are so many traditional herbal possibilities which can help directly with respiratory symptoms. I will name a few of these, but consult more reference materials on your own, or a qualified naturopath or herbalist to guide you further for your particular situation. The first herb to consider is stinging nettle, Urtica dioica, which has been used for centuries in a wide variety of uses. The young leaves of the plant can be eaten in the early Spring and the mature plant can be made into a highly nutritional tea, loaded with minerals, iron and vitamin C. More recent research indicates that the chemical makeup of the plant can work as a natural antihistamine, countering the histamine response which leads to allergic situations. I have used it personally for just this purpose, and due to the excellent results I got, I have felt comfortable offering it as a possibility for others for years. The best way to take it in a capsule is the "freeze-dried" form. There are a couple companies who formulate it in this way and I much prefer it to the basic "air-dried" form. The freeze-dried form captures almost all the vital nutrients found in the fresh herb itself, and I have found gives excellent results.

Other herbs which can help clear the mucous and soothe the throat can be mullein, marshmallow root, osha root, sage, garlic, eyebright, olive leaf, horseradish, fenugreek and thyme. Some supplements to consider for balancing the immune system may be antioxidants, Colostrum (wonderful), medicinal mushrooms, essential fatty acids and omega -3 oils.

These are just a few possibilities. I hope this offers some help for you.

Be well,

Dr. Susie

Reading List:
Foundations of Health, The Liver & Digestive Health, Christopher Hobbs The New Age Herbalist, Richard Mabey
Medicinal and Other Uses of North American Plants (A Historical Survey with Special Reference to the Eastern Indian Tribes), Charlotte Erichsen-Brown

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Susie Cooper, a community herbalist and homeopathic educator, has worked in the natural foods business since 1991 and has been teaching workshops on herbal and homeopathic medicine since 1993. In addition to presenting numerous talks, she has also appeared on radio programs pertaining to natural health. With her husband, Paul, she owns and operates Blue Mountain Herbs, a small health food store in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, where she also teaches workshops in herbal and homeopathic medicine. “Offering a proper base of education for people interested in maintaining health the natural way is of utmost importance to me,” she says. “So many options exist in the world around us, and it’s important to me to offer the best traditional educational support I can to people wanting a healthy alternative for prevention and wellness.”

Important note: The information contained in this column is not meant to diagnose or prescribe for specific ailments, but is intended for educational support only. Please seek the advise of a licensed health practitioner for specific illnesses and emergency situations.