Seasonal Allergies

With spring just around the corner, seasonal allergies are starting to show up as a primary concern in many medical offices. Hayfever or seasonal allergies, are caused by an over stimulation of the immune system in response to an exposure to an inhaled allergen. The runny nose, itchy throat, itchy eyes and sneezing are enough to make spring miserable for anyone that has to deal with allergic rhinitis. Allergies can take up to two years to develop after moving to a new area.

Here are a few tips that can help make this allergy season a little bit more bearable for you or anyone you know dealing with allergies. Sources of potential allergens in your home include: carpet, vacuum cleaners, drapes, feather dusters, ceiling fans, dust, pets, pollens, and molds. It’s a good idea to change your pillowcase every other day because moisture from your breath at night can cause spore growth.

A diet high in fiber and low in fat helps reduce the toxin load on your body. Avoid food allergens. If you don’t know what you are allergic to, Dr. Mundeir offers a simple blood test to determine your food allergens. Increase essential fatty acids and lower sugar consumption.

Vitamin C is a great anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine, higher doses may help reduce your allergy symptoms. A recent study also showed that 1,300 mg of MSM twice daily significantly reduced symptoms in the upper and lower respiratory tracts in allergy sufferers. Other nutrients/herbs that can help curb your hayfever symptoms are – Urtica

Dioca,Curcuma longa, Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), Zingiber officinale (ginger), Chrysanthemum parthenium, and bioflavonoids. Visit Surat Naturopathic to address your allergy symptoms with high quality, natural and non-toxic supplements.

Humulus lupulus (Hops)

One of the most popular uses of Hops is as a flavoring and stabilizing agent in beer. Along with this purpose, Humulus lupulus is also a drying, bitter and cooling herb. Humulus is cultivated through the world, it grows in swamps and damp hedges. It can be used as an aphrodisiac, nervine, bitter and sedative. Hops are most often used to treat insomnia, nervous GI complaints and to decrease sexual libido.

Hops is not a strong sedative herb therefore it is usually combined with other herbs to treat anxiety and insomnia. It is a skeletal and smooth muscle relaxant and this action helps with relaxation when someone has insomnia. As a bitter herb, Humulus helps increase digestion. It strengthens the GI system while restoring normal peristalsis.

Hops can also be used as a female hormone balancing herb because it has phytoestrogenic activity. As an aphrodisiac, it can be used to treat excessive libido and premature ejaculation. A hops pillow can be used when insomnia is the result of anxiety or worry. Hops is contraindicated in pregnancy.

You can make a calming tea by combining hops with other relaxing herbs to help wind down from a busy day. Or you can throw some dried humulus flowers into a bath to help relax sore muscles and reduce inflammation. Hops tea, 2-3 times a day can help a sluggish liver.

In Case of Emergency (ICE)

Most of us, in our busy and hectic lives, rely on our cell phones to keep us organized, in touch with loved ones and on track with our schedules. Our cellular phones can also provide people around us with valuable information should something happen to us. The CDC reported in 2006 that 1.6 million people admitted to the emergency room could not provide contact information because they were incapacitated.

In case of emergency or ICE is a program that started in Europe and is gaining popularity in North America. People are asked to enter emergency contacts into their cell phone address book under the name “ICE”. You can list multiple emergency contacts as “ICE1”, “ICE2”, etc. First, choose a responsible person to be your In Case of Emergency (ICE) contact. Record their contact information in your phone under the heading “ICE” – for example: ICE Mark, if Mark was my emergency contact. Inform this person that you have chosen them as a designated contact person and provide them with pertinent health information that can affect your treatment. Most important are medications and allergies.

These simple steps can help you get better care in case of an emergency. It can also let your loved ones know, in a timely manner, if something has happened to you.