(see also Allergies, Food and Edema)
Allergic responses often occur spontaneously, and can cause a reaction in any part of the body. A sudden swelling after a bee sting; an itchy palate or throat constriction after eating a peanut; a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing after petting a cat, are all examples of allergic reactions. The most common allergy-related illnesses are hay fever, asthma attacks and skin problems and rashes, including eczema and hives. Food allergies often remain unrecognized because the discomforts are slight, and the reaction is not always immediate. Bloating, diarrhea and indigestion are typical food allergy reactions, as well as headaches, joint pain, heart palpitations and mood swings. Many people with allergies suffer from cold feet. There is also thought to be a link between allergies and hyperactivity, and some cases of reactive hypoglycemia, candidiasis and chronic fatigue syndrome are believed to be due to allergies. People with allergies are often more susceptible to fungal and parasitic infections. The extent of the reaction is highly individual. Most people experience mild but recurring symptoms, and these can appear up to three days following contact with an allergen, while the most severe reactions can quickly lead to a life-threatening reactive shock.
Allergies are due to hyper-reactions of the immune system to a particular normally harmless substance in the environment. These substances, called allergens, can be anything. Some of the more common allergens to cause hay fever or asthma are dust, pollen, animal hair and grasses. Milk, eggs, wheat and corn are frequent sources of food allergies; and medications, particularly penicillin and Aspirinâ„¢, can cause allergic responses. Metals found in costume jewelry and cosmetics are common sources of skin irritations, as well as household cleaning agents and other frequently used chemicals.
When an allergen comes into contact with the skin's surface or a mucous membrane, such as the lining in the nose or the bronchial tubes, the immune system perceives it as an enemy, and triggers a series of reactions designed to fight this threat. An inflammation ensues, characterized by redness, itching, swelling and increased mucus secretion. An inflammation is a healthy reaction that rids the tissues of germs, but it is not a cure. Recognizing the allergic substance and eliminating it from the immediate environment is paramount, as each time contact occurs, the inflammation repeats itself. Unfortunately, it is not yet clear why people suddenly develop allergies, or why allergies sometimes disappear on their own.
Like many other chronic illnesses, the underlying cause of allergies is due to a combination of factors. Allergies are becoming more common as a result of the increasing number of chemicals in our air, water, food and clothing, which offer an extra challenge for the immune system. Additives in processed food contribute to toxic build-up in the body. Food introduced to babies too early lay a foundation for allergies because babies do not yet have the enzymes available to digest them. Homogenized and pasteurized cow's milk create a problem. Homogenization changes the structures of fat molecules, and pasteurization kills friendly bacteria and useful enzymes. Human breast milk is much easier to digest than cow's milk, and contains substances such as gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) which support babies' immune systems. Emotional problems, as a result of a difficult lifestyle or family situation, can also be allergy triggers, particularly in children.
Whether the body is suffering from emotional or physical stress, the result can cause a weakness that allows a susceptibility to allergies. In addition to a healthy diet, getting enough daily exercise will reduce stress.
Optimizing digestion is doubly important for alleviating allergies and food sensitivities. Simply removing the offending food will remove the symptom but not the cause of the body's allergic reaction. The only way to cure an allergy is by making the body able to digest the allergenic food. Eat a high proportion of raw food to provide the enzymes the body needs to digest food thoroughly. Enzymes are destroyed if food is heated. Certain food combinations, such as vegetables and grains, minimize the strain on the digestive system. Incomplete digestion can reintroduce toxins into the bloodstream and cause allergic reactions.
The omega-3 essential fatty acids found in flax seed oil are excellent to reduce inflammation. Any food can provoke an allergic response from the body. Foods that are eaten every day, including homogenized and pasteurized milk and cheese, wheat products, corn products, eggs, bananas, coffee, processed and refined food, food dyes and additives, often cause delayed-onset allergies. By contrast, sensitivity to strawberries, pork, tomatoes, chocolate and peanuts often cause sudden-onset allergies, often resulting in immediate and life-threatening reactions.
To determine food allergies, fast with herbal and vegetable juices for a week to ten days to cleanse the system of offending substances, then restrict the diet to mild, non-irritating food. Eat only fresh fruits (no oranges); raw, steamed or broiled vegetables; broiled, boiled or baked chicken, turkey or fish; brown rice, herb teas and unsweetened juices. To identify food allergens, take your pulse before, and fifteen to twenty minutes after, eating a food suspected of causing an allergic reaction. If your pulse has increased more than ten beats per minute, you can suspect an allergy.
Reintroduce suspected allergens one at a time, in one teaspoon quantities. If a severe reaction occurs, do not eat the food for ninety days, then try again. If the reaction is mild or questionable, try the food again in four weeks. If the reaction recurs, eliminate the food from your diet until your body's digestive system is completely healed. If one teaspoon causes no reaction in an hour, increase the quantity to one ounce. If there is still no reaction, take two tablespoons after two hours. A normal quantity of food can be taken in four to six hours if no reactions have occurred, thereby eliminating this food as a possible allergen.
Breast-feeding is best for babies whose families have a history of allergies. For bottle-fed babies, goat's milk is often better tolerated than cow's milk. Lactose intolerance can also be overcome by substituting homogenized and pasteurized dairy products with small amounts of natural yogurt made with acidophilus or bifidus cultures. Kefir is also good. Solids should not be introduced before six months of age. Begin with vegetables and fruit, then add meats, eggs and finally grains around twelve months.
Allergies are more likely to occur when a patient is deficient in nutrients, as this allows the cell walls to become unstable and an easy target for allergens. Vitamin C and bioflavonoids, especially quercetin, are very beneficial for allergy sufferers because they stabilize cell walls and inhibit the release of histamine. Vitamins A and E are important for proper immune system response. The GLA found in evening primrose oil is an excellent anti-inflammatory. Vitamin B complex is recommended as well, and vitamin B6 in particular has an antihistamine effect.
Daily dosages:
Most Important
Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 3,000–6,000 mg in small doses taken several times daily
Quercetin, 500 mg three times daily
Evening primrose oil, two 500 mg capsules three times daily
Vitamin B complex, 50 mg
Vitamin B6, 100 mg
Helpful
Vitamin A, 10,000 IU (avoid during pregnancy)
Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU
It is important to detoxify the liver and intestinal tract, stimulate the kidneys and promote regular bowel movements with herbal teas and juices.
Stimulate kidneys with birch juice or tea. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 1–2 tsp. of birch leaves and drink three times daily.
Stinging nettle juice is especially good for healing mucous membranes. Juices of dandelion, watercress, parsley and celery root cleanse and detoxify the body. (Avoid parsley and celery root during pregnancy.) Drink half a cup of a herb juice alone, or in combination with any of these other herbs, twice daily.
In case of reaction to grasses, take a milk bath. Add 2–4 cups of regular milk to bath water.
Camomile, calendula oil and rosemary oil, diluted as 1 tbsp. of oil in 1 cup of water and applied directly onto the skin rash, provide relief.
If there is a skin break-out, apply soothing compresses made of yarrow, thyme, sage and bran infusions.
Elderberry, eyebright, nettles, goldenrod, chaparral, and chickweed can be combined in a herbal tea to reduce allergic responses. Take 1 tsp. of herbs in 1 cup of boiling water and drink three times daily.
Because of the highly individual nature of allergies, an experienced homeopath can provide a more in-depth treatment to achieve lasting results.
Tissue salts can relieve specific symptoms. Refer to the tissue salt remedies described under asthma, bee sting, candidiasis, chronic fatigue syndrome, colds and flu, diarrhea, eczema, feet (cold), fungal infections, hay fever, headaches, heart palpitations, hives, hyperactivity, hypoglycemia, indigestion, itching, mood swings, rashes and throat (sore).
Get plenty of sleep, fresh air and sun to strengthen the immune system.
Stress, worry and fear can cause allergies by weakening the immune system.
Avoid down and feather bedding. Wear natural-fiber underwear only.
Other recommended therapies include: regular exercise such as walking or swimming; hydrotherapies like rising temperature baths, wraps and clay compresses; breathing or relaxation exercises, massage and counseling.
Acupressure
Apply deep thumb pressure for one minute to the point, as illustrated.
Reflexology
Work the points, as illustrated, with deep thumb pressure for about one to five minutes every other day. Attention should also be given to the pituitary, adrenal, thymus and reproductive glands and to the liver, gall-bladder and pancreas.
Try an elimination diet, and have allergy tests performed.
Candidiasis and parasites can be related to allergies. Gluten intolerance (celiac disease) can also pose a serious health problem.
It is advisable to determine hidden food or chemical hypersensitivities by the immunological test of ELISA/ACT. (For more information, see Appendix 1.)
Take a hair mineral analysis test to determine mineral deficiencies and heavy-metal poisoning. (For more information, see Appendix 1.)
Nutritional Supplements
Ascorbate / Non-acidic Vitamin C (Ester-C)
Bio-Berry OPC-85 Grape Seed Extract plus (Flora)
Efamol Evening Primrose Oil 1000 mg Capsules (Flora)
Efamol Evening Primrose Oil 500 mg Capsules (Flora)
Efamol Evening Primrose Oil 30 ml Liquid (Flora)
Udo's Ultimate Digestive Enzyme Blend (Flora)
Micel-A (Klaire Laboratories)
Multi Element Buffered C
(Klaire Laboratories)
P-5-P w/Magnesium (Klaire Laboratories)
30 day Fabulax Cleansing Program (Knowledge Products)
Acidophilus & Bifidus (Natural Factors)
Beta Carotene (Natural Factors)
Beta Green (Natural Factors)
Bromelain Extra Strength (Natural Factors)
Coenzyme Q10 (Natural Factors)
D'Pantothenic Acid (Natural Factors)
E 400 IU Clear Base (Natural Factors)
Ester C—Caps, Tabs, Powder (Natural Factors)
Grape Seed Extract (Natural Factors)
Mega Acidophilus Powder (Natural Factors)
Pycnogenol (Natural Factors)
Stress B Formula (Natural Factors)
Ultra Prim Evening Primrose Oil (Natural Factors)
Vitamin A (Natural Factors)
Aloe Seltzer C (Nutraceutics Corp.)
Ester-C (Sisu)
Leucoselect 100 mg Grape Seed Phytosome (Sisu)
Pycnogenol—Pine Bark Extract (Sisu)
Other Nutritional Supplements
Bee Propolis (Natural Factors)
Herbal Remedies
Flora-Vision Bilberry Extract plus Blueberries (Flora)
Horsetail Leaves (Flora)
Green Magma (Green Foods)
Holistic Horizons Colon Cleansing Program (Inno-Vite)
30 day Paraway Cleansing Program (Knowledge Products)
Aller-Ease (Natural Factors)
Cayenne (Natural Factors)
Echinacea Fresh Herb Tincture (Natural Factors)
Echinacea Throat Spray (Natural Factors)
Eyebright Extract (Natural Factors)
Eyebright Herb (Natural Factors)
Eyebright Tincture (Natural Factors)
Valerian Root Extract (Natural Factors)
Valerian Tincture (Natural Factors)
Burdock (Nature's Herbs)
Cayenne Power (Nature's Herbs)
Chickweed (Nature's Herbs)
Elderberry Flowers & Berries (Nature's Herbs)
Eye-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Eyebright (Nature's Herbs)
Green-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Hops-Valerian Combination (Nature's Herbs)
Valerian-Power (Nature's Herbs)
Nu-Greens Prolong (Nu-Life)
Respiractin (Sun Force)
Respaherb (Wild Rose)
Homeopathy
Pollinosan (Bioforce)
Aller-Away (Nelsons Homeopathy)
External Therapies
Olbas Oil (Flora)
Bergamot Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Chamomile Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)
Neroli (Karooch Essential Oils)
Sandalwood Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)