Dear Dr Diana
Are there any natural treatments for allergies?
If you suffer with seasonal allergies, you are well aware of how a sudden onset of scratchy and watery eyes, violent sneezing, and a constant runny nose can hamper your activities of daily living. Sometimes called hay fever or allergic rhinitis, seasonal allergies affect tens of millions of people throughout North America every year.
What causes seasonal allergies? When an outdoor or indoor allergen comes into contact with your body, your immune system may trigger the production of an antibody called immunoglobin E, also called IgE. If this happens, the next time that you are exposed to that allergen, IgE antibodies in your body release a chemical called histamine, which sets off a series of chemical reactions that can result in any of the following eliminative reactions:
Sneezing
Swelling of the mucous membranes in your sinuses, nose, and eyes
A runny nose
Watery eyes
Supplement with adequate antioxidants and vitamins, especially Vitamin C (3000 to 5000mg per day) which is a natural antihistamine. If your allergy symptoms worsen, increase vitamin C to 1000mg every 2-3 hours, back off the dose if you develope diarrhea. Take a potent multiple vitamin like Thorne Multi encap. Also take the following supplements
Magnesium: 400 – 800 mg per day. It’s a natural antihistamine.
Vitamin E 400IU and Selenium 200mcg to decrease your sensitivity to potential allergens.
N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC): 600 -1200mg/day. NAC is a natural expectorant which help thin mucus and loosen phlegm and bronchial secretions.
Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) 1000mg/day.
Quercetin and bromelain: 250 to 500 mg of each daily. They combat allergies and inflammation
Dr Lorenzo Diana ND
Doctor Of Naturopathic Medicine