Ahh-Choosing
Homeopathy
Natural Relief from Seasonal Allergies
Myra Nissen, CCH, & Margo Adams Homeopathic Consultants
Published:
Community
Kids, May 2008, Volume 5, Issue 5
If you or your family member suffer from seasonal allergies,
it becomes difficult to enjoy the beautiful spring weather
we are so lucky to have here in Solano County. It is hard
to experience allergies at a family picnic, or even miss
it because you don’t dare go outdoors.
Allergies can be transitory like a cold; one might suffer
occasionally or annually. They are the result of an immune
system imbalance. There are two approaches to treating allergies
homeopathically: treating the symptoms therapeutically,
as they appear; and treating constitutionally by a trained
Homeopath. Constitutional care addresses the whole person.
Constitutional care enhances your immune response by decreasing
your susceptibility to allergies. While therapeutic treatment
might work in the moment, it usually does not provide permanent
relief. It is important in Homeopathy NOT to keep taking
a remedy if your chronic symptoms keep coming back. Symptoms
continuing to return could mean the deeper constitutional
state has not actually been addressed appropriately. Seek
constitutional care. Constitutional care is what Homeopathy
is all about. It involves carefully considering everything
about the person: their health history, their life history,
patterns of responses both physically and mentally, as well
as exactly what the person wants addressed. The best time
to seek constitutional care for allergies is when the allergy
season is past.
There
are many remedies to help temporarily alleviate symptoms
during allergy season. They are meant to be used after an
attack and do not provide accumulative relief. When choosing
a homeopathic remedy it is important to match the description
of the remedy to your symptoms, although all symptoms may
not be present. Remedies can be found in your local health
food store or from your Homeopath. Look for 6C potency and
no higher than 12C potency.
If you would like to try Homeopathy, here is a simple guide
for use. Since you may need to repeat the remedy, you may
want to make the solution in a one-ounce dropper bottle
and use it as your “stock” bottle. Fill bottle
just below the shoulders (where the bottle begins to narrow
toward the opening). Drop one pellet from the lid of the
remedy container into the bottle. When dissolved, add brandy
or vegetable glycerin (as a preservative) to the top of
the shoulders. This is your “stock” bottle.
Store in a cool dark place and discard if solution turns
cloudy. After an allergic attack, tap the stock bottle against
the palm of your hand about 5 times, add one dropper-full
in 4 oz. of water, and stir 5 times. Take one teaspoon.
Wait for a positive response. A positive response is relief
from the symptoms, even a break from attacks for a period
of time. If no response, stir and repeat taking one teaspoon
every 20 minutes up to 2 hours. In Homeopathy–LESS
IS BEST! Stop as soon as you feel relief. If you finish
this two-hour treatment with temporary, partial, or no relief–STOP!
This is not the right remedy for you. Consult a trained
homeopath. Several homeopathic remedies to consider:
Sabadilla
(member of the lily family) is a remedy that is noted for
repeated, violent sneezing--10 or more in a row. You could
experience itching and tingling in your nose with profuse
thin nasal mucus that burns the skin under the nose and
on the upper lip. There might be an extremely itchy soft
pallet, and a clicking noise as one tries to relieve the
itch with their tongue.
If your allergies are worse in late summer or in a warm
room, and you have a watery nasal discharge that ‘”drips
like a faucet” without the sneezing of Sabadilla,
think of Allium Cepa (onion). If you experience burning
on the skin under the nose and the upper lip, but watery
eyes that don’t burn or itch, you might need the remedy.
Euphrasia (plant known as Eyebright) is needed if you have
intense sneezing with itchy, burning eyes that cause constant
blinking and dry out when you sleep. Some experience crusty
eyelids when waking, and perhaps continuous bland nasal
discharge with a constant tickling cough.
Consider Arum Triphyllum (plant called Jack-in-the-Pulpit)
when there is extreme irritation inside the nose extending
to lips and face. Lips crack at the corners. Symptoms tend
to be left-sided. Sneezing is worse at night or morning
and especially at 11AM. Laryngitis is common. To relieve
irritation some may pick deep into their nose; pick, lick
their lips and face.
Bromium (Bromine) is a remedy that is needed if there is
chronic nasal obstruction that is aggravated by frequent
sneezing, beginning on the right side. You might need this
remedy if you are worse after exposure to dust, other irritants,
and in summer. Symptoms may disappear at the seaside.
Home
Care Tips
-
Raw, local honey:
Direct exposure to pollen often triggers allergies, but
exposure to pollen that is trapped in honey usually has
the opposite effect. In honey, allergens are delivered
in small, manageable doses. The effect over time is similar
to undergoing series of allergy immunology injections.
NOTE: Infants under 1 year should not be fed honey.
-
Neti–pot:
Rinsing trapped allergens from the nasal passages helps
prevent stuffy nose.
-
Careful cleaning:
Clean and dust to remove allergens. Consider a HEPA clean
air filter for your home.
This
article is informational and not meant to treat or diagnose.
If conditions persist or become severe, and/or breathing
is compromised, seek immediate medical attention from a
professional.
Myra Nissen, C.Hom. and Margo Adams are homeopathic consultants
with offices in Vallejo, Benicia, and Pleasant Hill. Join
them this summer for their classes: “Healing a Natural
Way”-- learn how to support the health & well-being
of you and your family with Homeopathy. June 7th, 10–noon.
“Home Cooking for Your Dog” -- improve the health
of your beloved pet through home made recipes, June 4, 7-9PM.
Contact City of Benicia Parks & Community Services 707-746-4285,
www.ci.benicia.ca.us.
