Home remedies for Allergies

The word 'allergy' means an altered or abnormal tissue reaction after exposure to an antigen (also called an 'allergen'). The allergic reaction occurs if the body tissues are sensitive to the allergen. The allergen may reach the tissues by direct contact with the skin or various mucous membranes of the organs or through the bloodstream after absorption. Almost any part of the body can be affected by allergies. Allergic reactions are caused by a wide range of substances and conditions. These include pollens, dust, cosmetics, and animal hair; poisonous plants, serums, vaccines, and drugs; physical agents such as heat, cold and sunlight, as well as a variety of foods. The foods that commonly cause allergic reactions are oranges, milk, eggs, wheat, fish and other sea foods, chocolates, tomatoes, and strawberries. Allergic symptoms are manifested in various forms in different organs. These include recurring headaches, migraines, dizziness, irritability, nervousness, depression, neuralgia, conjunctivitis, eczema, hay fever, a stuffy or runny nose, diarrhoea, vomiting, urticaria, asthma, shortness of breath, and swelling of the face and eyes. The same substance can cause different symptoms in different people at different times.

Spring's pollens, summer's smog, autumn's falling leaves and winter's house dust. For millions of people, each change of season brings its own brand of allergy triggers and irritants. For people with common hay fever and allergies, these pollutants can bring on symptoms ranging from a continuous, annoying postnasal drip to a full-scale, coughing sneezing-itchy-eyed allergy attack. For other allergy sufferers, such as those with allergic asthma or an allergy to bee stings, attacks can be fatal.

While life-threatening allergies are a matter of grave concern to discuss with your doctor, there are many simple home remedies for common allergies that can alleviate some of allergies.

• It is found that five drops of castor oil in half a cup of any fruit or vegetable juice, or plain water, and taken on an empty stomach in the morning, is beneficial for allergies of the intestinal tract, skin, and nasal passages.
• Certain vital nutrients are very good in the treatment of allergies.
• Lime is considered an effectual remedy for any kind of allergy. Half a lime may be squeezed in a glass of lukewarm water and sweetened with a teaspoon of honey. It can be taken once daily first thing in the morning for several months. This remedy not only flushes the system of toxins but also acts as an antitoxic and anti-allergic agent. Nonetheless, those who are allergic to citrus fruits should not take recourse to this remedy.
• One or two bananas a day are useful for those who are allergic to certain foods and who as a result suffer from skin rashes, digestive disorders, or asthma. The fruit does, however, cause allergic reactions in certain sensitive persons and they should avoid it.
• The one of the best ways to prevent or overcome allergies is to strengthen overall physical resistance so as not to fall an easy prey to every allergen that one comes across. To start with, the patient should fast on fresh fruit juices for four or five days. Repeated short juice fasts are likely to result in better tolerance to previous allergies.
• Foods which should be excluded from the diet are tea, coffee, chocolate, cola drinks, alcohol, sugar and products made from it, refined cereals, meal, fish, chicken, tobacco, milk, cheese, butter, smoked and salted pickled foods, and foods containing any chemical additives, preservatives and flavourings.
• For allergic conditions in which an element of mental stress is present as well, it is essential to employ such methods as relaxation, exercise, meditation, and mind control. These methods reduce or remove stress and thereby contribute towards the treatment of allergies.
• Yogic asanas like yogamudra, ardh-matsyendrasana, sarvangasana, shavasana, and anuloma-viloma pranayama are beneficial in the treatment of allergy.
• The garlic is one of best immunity builder against any type of the allergens. Garlic has proven its efficacy as decongestant and hence also used in various types of coughs and colds. Try to have fresh garlic rather than going for powdered or dried or readymade paste. One has to remember that garlic may worsen the case if your have severe acidity.
• Simple and plain honey will work. This gives fight towards the allergens and also helps you become resistant to certain pollens. Keep in mind that all the beneficial properties are lost once the honey is cooked.
• The ginger is sufficient enough to cover up all the causative factors to allergy. This not only builds immunity but also reduces the over secretion of histamine from the body which is most troublesome factor during allergies.
• Peppermint tea is used to help relieve congestions from the nose and so the respiratory tract. On the other hand, in summer, it tastes refreshing icy and helps preventing coughs and sinus problems related to the allergy.
• The green tea or the common table tea has natural capacity to block the over secretion of histamine. One can have one to two cups a day with honey. Instead of the green tea, one can replace that by having black tea. It is not reported as effective as green tea, but for sometimes this can be used as substitute.
• Thyme is wonderful for congestion. This tea is also used for cough, stuffy nose and sinus problems. One can prepare the tea using one teaspoon of the dried herb for each cup of water. The precaution includes the dosage which should not exceed more than one cup a day.
• Dilute the vinegar by adding little water and apply it with a cotton ball on the bug-bites. This prevents the allergic reaction towards the toxins secreted in bite. You can also put some vinegar in your bath-tub.