Ahh-Choosing Homeopathy: Natural Relief from Seasonal Allergies

CHOOSING HOMEOPATHY: NATURAL RELIEF FROM SEASONAL ALLERGIES

If you or a family member suffer from seasonal allergies, it becomes difficult to enjoy the beautiful spring weather. 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.

SOURCE
Written by Myra Nissen & Margo Adams, published in Community Kids, June 2008, Volume 5, Issue 5.

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