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Battling Allergies 'Naturally'
Vitamins, to some extent, might help slow or dampen the symptoms of allergies or asthma. Currently though, there is not alot of medical literature to prove the benefits that vitamins can provide for allergies.
Many of the natural remedies for allergies and asthma can be found right in your grocery store. For example, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and cranberries all contain quercetin (similar to vitamin C ), which acts as an antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory.
Also, caffeine in coffee may act as a bronchodilator and help in the prevention of an asthma attack. Also, fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which may reduce the symptoms of asthma.
However, even if the remedy is natural, many doctors say proceed with caution. First, they point to the lack of scientific evidence to support some of the health claims of these remedies. Second, no clear toxicity has been identified. Third, some may have negative interactions with certain medications. The bottom line: Just because it is a natural remedy doesn't always mean it's harmless.
What Works?
The following is a list of commonly recommended natural remedies for allergies and asthma and what expert analysis says about them:
Honeybee Pollen: It's believed that honeybee pollen stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies to reduce allergic reactions. Bee pollen and royal jelly, which is essentially a bee product, don't do anything to help allergies.
As a general rule, most insect-pollinated plants don't cause a lot of allergy. Most allergens are wind-pollinated plants, not insect. Also, there have been cases of people having severe allergic reactions and going in to anaphylactic shock because of bee pollen.
However, on that note, bee propolis, an extract from the bee's body, appears to enhance immune function. You can find bee propolis in liquid and capsule forms.
Vitamins: Vitamins - specifically A, C and E - have been found to assist in inhibiting the substances that cause inflammation associated with allergies and asthma, and vitamin B complex may help stimulate the immune system and reduce inflammation in the lungs.
Experts say there is nothing wrong with taking these vitamins although they are only effective in huge quantities - something that has some doctors worried. An Institute of Medicine (IOM) panel of experts cautioned people about taking megadoses of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and beta-carotene because of possible harmful side effects.
For example, megadoses of vitamin C (3,000 mg and higher), particularly with pure ascorbic acid, can cause diarrhea, bowel gas and cramps. As a rule of thumb, it's better to take two or three smaller doses (about 60 milligrams) of vitamin C several times a day, than a larger dose all at once.
It's so safe for most people that almost anyone can probably get away with high doses, but it's not recommend that for everyone. It is always recommended to consult your doctor or physician before taking higher doses because it's hard to say what is going to be safe or what is going to be toxic.
Eating fruits and vegetables, such as red and green sweet peppers, broccoli, and oranges is the most effective way to get your vitamin C. You can consider eating an orange. Jumping to a magic pill may not be the right way to go.
Licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra): Licorice has anti-inflammatory actions similar to those of corticosteroids but with far fewer side effects. Licorice can cause retention of water and sodium and loss of potassium and so should not be taken for more than a month without medical supervision.
Large amounts of licorice can cause high blood pressure and aggravate diseases of the thyroid, kidney, liver or heart.
Chinese Ephedra (ma hung): The primary active ingredient of ma huang is ephedrine, which was a staple of standard medical management of asthma for several decades in the United States.
Ephedra, however, can be a dangerous herb, because it speeds up the heart. However, when taken as recommended and not in excess, ephedra can be very beneficial for energy, weight loss, and other various ailments such as asthma, as mentioned above.
Many of the accidents or deaths that occurred where ephedra was found in the body were due to high abuse where people were taking up to three times the recommended dosage at a time! Any drug or stimulant, whether prescribed or taken over the counter, should NEVER be taken in excess, no matter what it is. So, it comes as no surprise that people were harming themselves with their constant abuse of ephedra.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These acids found in fish oil are believed to act as natural anti-inflammatories, which can be beneficial in treating asthma. Fish oils can moderate asthma attacks. These fatty acids are found in dark-meat fishes, such as salmon and tuna. If you regularly eat fish, it is recommended to take 6 grams of fish oil a day and up to 12 grams a day for non-fish eaters. Comparable amounts of omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained from 3 tablespoons of flaxseed oil a day.
Asthmatics who are sensitive to aspirin should not take omega-3 oils because they may intensify their sensitivity.
Keep In Mind
In the absence of hard facts about them, many doctors say, however, that there are some common-sense "home remedies" allergy and asthma sufferers can take to limit their symptoms.
There are home remedies, some don't-cost-you-anything maneuvers that can be very helpful, and they won't interfere with your blood pressure.
Highly recommended are environmental controls - such as using air filters to reduce exposure to dog dander or dust mites allergens, which are allergy and asthma triggers for many people, or to pollutants that irritate their condition. On a final note, it is always suggested that people interested in trying a natural remedy talk to their doctors first and buy a good herbal book with clinical data.
Vitamins, to some extent, might help slow or dampen the symptoms of allergies or asthma. Currently though, there is not alot of medical literature to prove the benefits that vitamins can provide for allergies.
Many of the natural remedies for allergies and asthma can be found right in your grocery store. For example, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and cranberries all contain quercetin (similar to vitamin C ), which acts as an antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory.
Also, caffeine in coffee may act as a bronchodilator and help in the prevention of an asthma attack. Also, fish contains omega-3 fatty acids, which may reduce the symptoms of asthma.
However, even if the remedy is natural, many doctors say proceed with caution. First, they point to the lack of scientific evidence to support some of the health claims of these remedies. Second, no clear toxicity has been identified. Third, some may have negative interactions with certain medications. The bottom line: Just because it is a natural remedy doesn't always mean it's harmless.
What Works?
The following is a list of commonly recommended natural remedies for allergies and asthma and what expert analysis says about them:
Honeybee Pollen: It's believed that honeybee pollen stimulates the immune system to produce antibodies to reduce allergic reactions. Bee pollen and royal jelly, which is essentially a bee product, don't do anything to help allergies.
As a general rule, most insect-pollinated plants don't cause a lot of allergy. Most allergens are wind-pollinated plants, not insect. Also, there have been cases of people having severe allergic reactions and going in to anaphylactic shock because of bee pollen.
However, on that note, bee propolis, an extract from the bee's body, appears to enhance immune function. You can find bee propolis in liquid and capsule forms.
Vitamins: Vitamins - specifically A, C and E - have been found to assist in inhibiting the substances that cause inflammation associated with allergies and asthma, and vitamin B complex may help stimulate the immune system and reduce inflammation in the lungs.
Experts say there is nothing wrong with taking these vitamins although they are only effective in huge quantities - something that has some doctors worried. An Institute of Medicine (IOM) panel of experts cautioned people about taking megadoses of antioxidants, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium and beta-carotene because of possible harmful side effects.
For example, megadoses of vitamin C (3,000 mg and higher), particularly with pure ascorbic acid, can cause diarrhea, bowel gas and cramps. As a rule of thumb, it's better to take two or three smaller doses (about 60 milligrams) of vitamin C several times a day, than a larger dose all at once.
It's so safe for most people that almost anyone can probably get away with high doses, but it's not recommend that for everyone. It is always recommended to consult your doctor or physician before taking higher doses because it's hard to say what is going to be safe or what is going to be toxic.
Eating fruits and vegetables, such as red and green sweet peppers, broccoli, and oranges is the most effective way to get your vitamin C. You can consider eating an orange. Jumping to a magic pill may not be the right way to go.
Licorice (glycyrrhiza glabra): Licorice has anti-inflammatory actions similar to those of corticosteroids but with far fewer side effects. Licorice can cause retention of water and sodium and loss of potassium and so should not be taken for more than a month without medical supervision.
Large amounts of licorice can cause high blood pressure and aggravate diseases of the thyroid, kidney, liver or heart.
Chinese Ephedra (ma hung): The primary active ingredient of ma huang is ephedrine, which was a staple of standard medical management of asthma for several decades in the United States.
Ephedra, however, can be a dangerous herb, because it speeds up the heart. However, when taken as recommended and not in excess, ephedra can be very beneficial for energy, weight loss, and other various ailments such as asthma, as mentioned above.
Many of the accidents or deaths that occurred where ephedra was found in the body were due to high abuse where people were taking up to three times the recommended dosage at a time! Any drug or stimulant, whether prescribed or taken over the counter, should NEVER be taken in excess, no matter what it is. So, it comes as no surprise that people were harming themselves with their constant abuse of ephedra.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: These acids found in fish oil are believed to act as natural anti-inflammatories, which can be beneficial in treating asthma. Fish oils can moderate asthma attacks. These fatty acids are found in dark-meat fishes, such as salmon and tuna. If you regularly eat fish, it is recommended to take 6 grams of fish oil a day and up to 12 grams a day for non-fish eaters. Comparable amounts of omega-3 fatty acids can be obtained from 3 tablespoons of flaxseed oil a day.
Asthmatics who are sensitive to aspirin should not take omega-3 oils because they may intensify their sensitivity.
Keep In Mind
In the absence of hard facts about them, many doctors say, however, that there are some common-sense "home remedies" allergy and asthma sufferers can take to limit their symptoms.
There are home remedies, some don't-cost-you-anything maneuvers that can be very helpful, and they won't interfere with your blood pressure.
Highly recommended are environmental controls - such as using air filters to reduce exposure to dog dander or dust mites allergens, which are allergy and asthma triggers for many people, or to pollutants that irritate their condition. On a final note, it is always suggested that people interested in trying a natural remedy talk to their doctors first and buy a good herbal book with clinical data.
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