Sixty million Americans suffer from allergic rhinitis, or common allergies. The major cause of allergies is an inappropriate immune response to a foreign substance in the body. While over-the-counter medication can treat the symptoms of allergies, many health care providers teach allergy prevention techniques that strengthen the immune system directly. These alternative cures are better described as "complementary," and include reducing stress and engaging in somatic therapies.
Acupuncture and Massage
Chinese medicine has treated allergies for thousands of years with acupressure and acupuncture. Acupuncture, in particular, has found clinical success in the United States for eye inflammation. Acupressure is a kind of massage that stimulates the body's release of endorphins, causing relaxation. "The Natural Medicine Collective" also cites holistic massage as an effective treatment of allergy symptoms. In general, massage creates feelings of well-being, a balm for sufferers who also feel isolated and lonely due to their allergies.
Herbs and Diet
Many herbs are useful in treating allergies. The "Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine" recommends stinging nettle as a natural antihistamine that reduces inflammation. Chinese skullcap is a bronchiodilator, allowing for clearer breathing. Echinacea is also used to boost the immune system. Peppermint, ginko and mustard seed all have a long history of folk use as well. These herbs can be taken as a tea or as an extract.
Macrobiotics is a Chinese diet regime based on balance. In the macrobiotic tradition, allergies and hay fever can be the result of excessive eating, especially eating of too many rich foods with chemical additives. Dairy products, sugary foods, meats and fruit may contribute to congestion. The connection between dairy and congestion is also reported by the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Nasal irrigation is another folk remedy that has widespread medical approval. Flushing the nasal cavities with a Neti pot soothes irritated sinuses and can flush irritants.
Treatment of Emotions
Because allergies are triggered by an immune response, emotional factors can instigate allergic reactions. An easy way to "talk down" a stressful mood is to recite an affirmation. "I am relaxing" is an example of an affirmation that can reduce stress. In Chinese medicine, allergies are correlated with depression. Ever since E.A. Sirmay's 1953 article "The role of psychotherapy in allergy," Western psychotherapy has been useful in disentangling the emotional roadblocks to better health. Lastly, moderate exercise elevates the heart rate, which is well known to have a positive effect on depression, as well as the immune response.
References
- USDA: Review of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Treatment of Ocular Allergies
- "The natural way of healing asthma and allergies," The Natural Medicine Collective, 1995
- Western Journal of Medicine: The Role of Psychotherapy in Allergy
