Introduction:
Allergies like asthma, rhinitis, dermatitis and food allergy are common. This is because the immune system present in the body will overreact when exposed to allergic agents. The allergy can be triggered by food, insects, pollen, mold, dust, pets, cream, and even while touching certain materials. The immune system of the body is responsible for allergies. Allergies can differ from mild to severe and can appear as coughing, sneezing, running nose, watery eyes, scratchy throat, swelling, reduced blood pressure, difficulty breathing, asthma, etc.
What Are the Causes of Allergies?
During pollination, the trees or grasses release allergens, and some people allergic to pollen will respond by producing antibodies. As a result, the mast cells or immune cells are formed, which help release histamines. Histamines will be inflamed and irritate the membrane that lines the nose, eyes, throat, and respiratory tract. As a result, sneezing, headache, watery eyes, runny nose, or irritation to the throat will occur. Severe cases can cause coughing, mood disturbance, wheezing, loss of appetite, and slave disturbances. Allergies are of different types depending on the cause of the allergy. They are caused due to pollen, mold, pets, drugs, food, insects, latex, etc.
What Are the Problems Associated With Allergy?
Different types of allergies can cause problems like digestive problems, skin problems, respiratory issues, fatigue, lethargy, migraine, headache, joint pain, muscle pain, palpitation, anxiety, mood swings, immunity disturbance, etc. Sensitivity to food and food intolerance is a common type of food allergy, which is seen due to the absence of certain enzymes which helps in digestion or during any digestive issues. Seasonal energy can cause sneezing or running nose (rhinitis), headaches due to sinusitis, watery eyes or itching in the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis), and throat irritation.
What Are the Naturopathic Treatments for Allergies?
The naturopathic treatments for allergies depend upon the needs of the patient. The treatment options include the following:
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Herbal Medicine: Several herbal medicines help in acting as a natural antihistamine for the short-term treatment of allergic symptoms. These herbal medicines do not have any side effects compared to over-the-counter drugs. Stinging nettles is an anti-inflammatory herb that helps reduce the symptoms associated with allergies, like itchy eyes, sneezing, and running nose. Butterbur helps in treating allergies related to the nasal cavity. It is available in a pill form or oil extract. Omega 3 fatty acid found in fish oil has good anti-inflammatory properties. Yarrow is a type of herb that is considered a natural antihistamine. An antioxidant, quercetin, found in shallots, citrus fruit, broccoli, and onions, has various anti-allergic properties, like regulating the immune system, reducing the release of histamine, and reducing pro-inflammatory compounds. The amino acid supplement, N-acetyl-cysteine, helps in thinning the mucus, which helps in reducing congestion and helps in breathing.
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Hydrotherapy - Water-based treatment helps remove allergic agents present in the body by flushing the congestion present. Hydrotherapy can be done through cold compression or a hot bath, depending on the type of allergy. A warm water bath is done by soaking in warm water containing minerals, salt, and essential oils, which help in enhancing the bath. The cold compression will help in the targeted relief of various allergy symptoms.
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Acupuncture - Acupuncture helps treat various medical issues like anxiety and weight loss. It also helps reduce various symptoms and improves the overall well-being of people with allergies. Acupuncture uses tiny needles inserted into the body at various points, which help connect the energy. Each point is associated with a different system present in the body. The needle placement depends on the treatment. Acupuncture is also used for treating allergies and targets organs like the lungs, stomach, spleen, colon, etc. These areas will help in improving immunity. Stimulating these points will help reduce symptoms of allergies like watery eyes, sneezing, swelling, conjunctivitis, running nose, etc. Some studies show that acupuncture directly affects the nerve fiber, massages the brain, activates the autonomic nervous system and helps transmit signals through the body, which helps in activating the immune system.
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Nutritional Supplementation - Nutritional supplements treat allergies and various symptoms associated with allergies. The nutritional supplements that are commonly used include grape seed extract, vitamin C, vitamin D, honey, etc.
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Lifestyle and Dietary Modifications - Season or location change can also be problematic for people with severe allergies. Various lifestyle and dietary changes can be made to avoid certain allergies. Consuming green tea in the early morning helps improve natural immunity and helps reduce allergy reactions through the natural antihistamines present in green tea. Avoiding spices can help with symptoms like watery eyes, running nose, and mouth. The consumption of fresh and clean food and eating vegetables, fruits, grains, beans, and fish has helped to reduce various respiratory allergies. Maintaining a healthy diet will help in reducing obesity in people who have asthma and thereby reducing severe asthmatic episodes. The usage of salt should be reduced.
How Can Allergies Be Controlled?
Saline nasal spray helps wash the saline pollen and spores in the nasal cavity, which helps reduce allergic symptoms. This saline spray has natural antihistamines. Regular cleaning of the house and room helps to maintain a clean area that will avoid allergies due to dust, pollen, etc. Consumption of honey helps improve the immune system and promotes desensitization to the pollans. Improving or continuing a healthy diet will help maintain the stomach and digestive system, thereby regulating the immune system. Food allergy causes an imbalance in the bacteria present in the digestive tract, which causes infections, and produces various digestive juices, which causes inflammation of the digestive organs. Consumption of a healthy diet helps in reducing food allergies. Various toxins are present in the food, water, and air, and detoxifying or cleaning will help improve the allergic symptoms.
Conclusion:
Allergies can be prevented and reduced by various natural methods. Different herbal therapy, nutritional supplements, lifestyle and dietary modifications, acupuncture, and hydrotherapy help reduce the allergies and symptoms associated with allergies. For example, acupuncture uses less antihistamine medication and reduces various allergic symptoms.
