Your human immune system is designed to identify and combat things that are foreign to your body. Most of the time, it performs this duty very well, protecting you from bacteria, viruses, and other potentially harmful substances. But during the last century, our immune systems have been overwhelmed with chemicals and pesticides, not to mention the stress of modern life. The result is that our immune systems have become oversensitive. When the immune system overreacts to allergens—pollen, dirt, pollution, animal hair, and mold to name a few—it mobilizes with full force, producing severe allergic symptoms: sinus congestion, itchy, watery eyes, running nose, and an aching head. Sound familiar?
1. Keep an allergy-free home
One of the key factors in treating allergies is to get rid of the substances that over stimulate the immune system. Dehumidify and air out your home regularly. Use the air conditioner and central heater sparingly as they tend to permeate the home with dust and particles collected in their ducts. Fungal colonies, dust mites, and pollen collect in the house. Clean floors regularly, and opt for solid wood or stone floors instead of carpets, which collect tremendous amounts of dust and bacteria. Prevent mold by using vinegar to disinfect the surfaces that often get wet and humid. Also, keep beds, bedrooms, and couches off-limits to pets.
2. Reduce histamines with tea
Most people have heard of histamines through their association with allergies. Histamines are a protein that when released, increase the permeability of blood vessels, which then sends a surge of blood flow to the affected area. This increase leads to inflammation, which is the cause of allergic reactions to substances like pollen. Both green tea and chamomile tea contain natural antihistamines and can help balance your immune system.
3. Bromelain: nature's inflammation fighter
Bromelain is an enzyme that helps reduce the inflammatory process, modulate overactive immune responses that cause it, and relieve allergies. Where to find this amazing anti-inflammatory enzyme? Fruits such as papaya, pineapple, and kiwi all contain bromelain. Eat up for relief or look for bromelain in supplement form.
4. Clear your nasal passageways daily
In many healing traditions, it is customary to begin the day by irrigating the nasal passageways. Try this: Add 1 tsp of sea salt, 1 drop of oregano oil, and 1 drop of wintergreen into one cup of warm water. Fill a small-spouted squeeze bottle. Squirt into one nostril and gently blow through the nose. Alternate nostrils.
5. Bee free from allergies with herbs and supplements
Eating 1 teaspoon of local, unfiltered, and unprocessed honey daily can do wonders for allergies. Also, bee pollen supplement may help alleviate allergies.
Stinging nettle is used in medical traditions worldwide to reduce inflammation, and has been successful in alleviating allergies. Research shows that nettle blocks the action of inflammation-inducing immune cells. When looking for stinging nettle supplements at your health food store, choose the leaf part of the plant to fight inflammation.
Magnolia flowers, xanthium, mint, dandelion, Chinese basil, siler root, and schizandra all have allergy-reducing properties. Take in tea form or try in a traditional Chinese herbal formulation called "Allergy Tamer", which balances the immune system and relieves allergy symptoms.
6. Self-massage for sinus support
For immediate relief of sinus allergies, use your own fingers to stimulate the acupressure point "Welcome Fragrance" (Li 20) on both sides of your nose, where your nose and cheek meet. Apply moderate pressure with both index fingers, one on each side of the nose. Hold for 3 minutes. Take deep and slow breaths.
7. Allergy Eats: Do's and Don'ts
Again, the name of the game is getting rid of the substances that overstimulate the immune system, and this includes food. You want to avoid eating any foods that produce mucous and dampness: dairy products, cold and raw foods, corn (including corn syrup), and simple sugars. That means cut out bleached flour, white pasta, white rice, refined sugar sweets, and soft drinks. Typically high-allergy grains include wheat, rye and barley, so these are best avoided during an allergy flare-up. Chocolate, shellfish, potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants may also over stimulate the immune response and should be cut back.
Opt for papaya, cranberries, pear, pineapple, cherries, mangos, and citrus fruits. Green, leafy vegetables like spinach and kale contain essential nutrients for healthy immunity, as does broccoli. Switch to whole wheat bread, brown rice, whole grain pasta, quinoa, brown rice, and millet. Cook with spices that can unblock your sinus passageways in no time: ginger, scallion, basil, garlic, oregano, cayenne peppers, white pepper, horseradish and turmeric .
Vegetables always need to be thoroughly washed in running water to remove residues of pesticides and chemicals. Even better, only eat locally grown, organic produce. And finally, drink 80 oz of filtered room-temperature water per day, as water intake is essential for proper lymphatic drainage.
I hope that you are free from allergies naturally! I invite you to visit often and share your own personal health and longevity tips with me.
May you live long, live strong, and live happy!
-Dr. Mao
- - - - - - - - - -
Transform your health and bring quality to your years with Dr. Mao's natural health products from the Tao of Wellness.
Discover a high-quality water filtration system that will provide you with pure, healthy water.
Order Dr. Mao's new book Second Spring: Hundreds of Natural Secrets for Women to Revitalize and Regenerate at Any Age.
Learn hundreds of ways for living a long and happy life with Dr. Mao's book Secrets of Longevity.
Find out amazing ways you can naturally increase your energy and heal common ailments in Secrets of Self-Healing, Dr. Mao's landmark book on natural healing.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
To learn more about Dr. Mao and other natural health tips, go to askdrmao.com.
To purchase Dr. Mao's book, "Second Spring," click here.
