If your child suffers from allergies, it's natural to... well, to want a natural cure. After all, standard allergy medications, such as antihistamines, have side effects like dry eyes, dry mouth, fatigue and an inability to concentrate. Luckily, natural relief can be as easy as taking a supplement, making a dietary change or cleansing the sinuses.
Ascorbic Acid
According to a research report published by the American Institute of Nutrition's Journal of Nutrition in 1991, "Blood histamine was significantly depressed in the high ascorbate group compared to the adequate and low ascorbate groups." Granted, the study was done on guinea pigs; but the bottom line is, ascorbic acid was found to block histamine release, which is what triggers seasonal allergy symptoms. That means giving your child his daily vitamin C, either as a supplement or through foods like oranges, broccoli and 100 percent fruit juices can't hurt.
Essential Acids
In a study done by the National Institute of Health Sciences in Tokyo in October, 1994, and published in the U.S. National Library of Medicine, researchers discovered that the amount of "histamine in alpha-linolenic acid-treated cells was remarkably lower than that of untreated cells." This means that if you give your child alpha-linolenic acid, her level of histamine, and hence allergy symptoms, will decrease. An easy way to do that is with a fish oil supplement containing EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosohexanoic acid), since that's what the body converts alpha-linolenic acid into. EPA is also found in the essential fatty acid omega-3. Good dietary sources include salmon, haddock and cod, as well as canola oil and walnuts.
Another related essential acid is GLA (gamma-linolenic acid) which also has anti-inflammatory properties. It's found in herbal-based oils such as borage oil, evening primrose oil, and black currant seed oil.
Cut Out Dairy
Author, columnist and natural health specialist Andrew Weil, M.D., says that his first recommendation for treating allergies is to eliminate dairy products. "Milk protein, or casein, increases mucus production in most people and acts as an immune system irritant when allergies are present. Even if skin tests don't show a true allergy to milk, removing it from the diet often leads to improvement in such allergic conditions as asthma and eczema," he explains.
Eat Less Protein
Cutting down on protein may also help. Dr. Weil believes that high-protein diets can irritate the immune system in some people, which can aggravate allergies and autoimmune diseases.
Nasal Irrigation
Supplements and dietary changes may take time to work, but nasal irrigation can have an immediate effect by flushing pollen from the sinuses. A neti pot looks like a little teapot, and is designed to pour saline solution through the nostril to clean it out. If your child will let you, use it on him morning, afternoon and night. Another option is to use an eyedropper to put the saline solution in his nose, and a bulb syringe to draw it back out. Use 8 oz. of filtered water and ¼ teaspoon of salt to make your own solution.
