ecoPharmacist

Natural Allergy Remedies

If you have seasonal allergies, you know what it’s like to suffer from sneezing, itchy eyes, congestion, and sinus pressure. None of these symptoms are pleasant and interfere with enjoying your day. I am sure everyone has tried every over-the-counter solution to make these seasonal symptoms go away. Did you know there are completely natural solutions that can ease your symptoms too?

Probiotics 
You probably associate probiotics with digestion and your gut health, but they also play a role in keeping your immune system well balanced. Keeping the gut healthy, makes the immune system stronger which should not allow so many allergens to affect you each season.

Natural Antihistamines 
Your allergies are an immune response to an otherwise harmless substance. This substance — whether it’s pollen or dust — comes into contact with cells in the mucus membranes of your nose, mouth, throat, lungs, stomach, and intestines. (another reason to keep the gut healthy with probiotics). This triggers the release of histamine. Histamine is a protein that causes all of the symptoms you associate with allergies, like sneezing and cold-like symptoms that drive us crazy. Antihistamines block histamine activity, stopping the allergic reaction.

Allergy medications you buy at the store work as antihistamines. But there are also certain foods and plant extracts that can have similar effects on histamine production. For example quercetin, bromelain, and vitamin C, can all work as natural antihistamines. Talk to your doctor about these alternatives before using.

Honey 
Eating local honey (produced near where you live) really works. The bees eat the pollen that’s in your region of the country, then they produce the honey and you consume that, so it’s kind of like a mini allergy shot. This is a remedy we use year around. Honey in general just has so many health benefits, you can use it in place of refined processed sugar any time you can!

Air Purifier with a HEPA Filter 
The best way to remove spores and pollen from the air is to use a HEPA filter. I find that using a HEPA filter at night helps me wake up with clear sinuses. But if your home air system can accommodate a HEPA filter for the whole house, 24-hrs a day, this is a great way to get relief.

Saline Nasal Rinse
I have never personally tried this remedy, but have many friends who swear by it! Basically all you’re doing is flushing out your sinuses with a saltwater solution, in a Neti Pot, which can help wash away the things you inhale that irritate your sinuses…you allergens. To mix a solution yourself, combine 1 quart of distilled or boiled (then cooled) water with 2 tsp non-iodized salt (kosher, pickling, canning or sea salt) and 1 tsp baking soda. Pour about 8 oz of the solution into the Neti Pot and tilt your head forward over the sink while you pour the solution in one nostril. The solution and irritants will drain out the other side of the nose into the sink.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant that your body needs.Why is vitamin C so important to our bodies? Let’s explore…According to the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, “Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin. Unlike most mammals and other animals, humans do not have the ability to make ascorbic acid and must obtain vitamin C from the diet.” Vitamin C helps the body form and maintain connective tissues, which include bones, blood vessels and your skin. Nobel-Prize winning scientist Linus Pauling has claimed, that high doses of vitamin C can prevent cancer and can be used to fight off the common cold.  Vitamin C does this because it is a powerful antioxidant. It can rid the body of damaging toxins, and builds collagen, the structural material needed for bones, and skin.

The National Institutes of Health, recommends doses of Vitamin C as follows:

* Adequate Intake (AI)

Vitamin C can be found in the following foods:

Red pepper

Orange

Grapefruit

Kiwi

Green Pepper

Broccoli

Strawberries

Brussel Sprouts

Tomatoes

Cantaloupe

Cabbage

Cauliflower

Potato

Spinach

Lemon

Lime

Green Peas

And the list can go on…

Vitamin C intake is essential for a healthy body. From wound healing, collagen production, cancer prevention and warding off the common cold. Make sure you get your daily intake and keep that powerful antioxidant running through your body.

Foods That Cleanse The Body: Lemons

Foods That Cleanse The Body: Lemons

There are many health benefits in the lemon. Full of Vitamin C, the lemon has strong antibacterial, antiviral, and immune-boosting powers.  Lemons contain many other substances like, citric acid, calcium, magnesium, potassium, bioflavonoids, pectin, and limonene, that promote immunity and fight infections. These key components of a lemon, make this sour yellow fruit, nature’s powerful little antioxidant.

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that is needed to produce glutathione in the liver. Glutathione neutralizes the toxins in the liver, aiding detoxification of the body. This makes the lemon a partner in fighting free radicals in the body, reducing the risks of certain cancers. At the first sign of a cold, you should get your body the vitamin C boost it needs to bounce back faster. You can add the juice of one lemon to a glass of warm water and drink that every two hours. The vitamin C will be absorbed by your mucous membranes, if you gargle with the juice of a lemon too.  As well, the antibacterial and antiviral properties of lemons can accelerate the healing of canker sores in the mouth, and freshen your breath.

Lemons are applauded for their multiple uses. When fatigue sets in, drinking lemon water or using lemon oil as aromatherapy gives your brain and senses a boost, making you more alert and able to concentrate. Lemons have a powerful alkaline affect on the body and the lemon acid will actually help stimulate stomach acid and aid in digestion. Drink a glass of warm water, with the juice of one lemon, after each meal to benefit from this. If you suffer from high cholesterol, don’t forget that the pectin power in lemons, along with its other metabolism and circulation boosting nutrients, can help lower cholesterol.

Does your complexion need some help? Well the citric acid in lemons work as a powerful antiseptic, and are effective in treating acne. Pairing the citric acid with the vitamin C, boosts the immune system, and are vital for that healthy glowing skin and production of collagen.  That collagen helps keep skin, blood vessels, tendons and ligaments healthy, making you beautiful inside and out!

Our body can be affected by everything we ingest. The body needs to be fed healthy foods that keep it working at its prime.  Adding inexpensive lemon water to your daily diet has so many whole body benefits. This refreshing beverage is a must for everyone!