Natural decongestants?

Question

I have year-round allergy problems. Any alternative decongestants you know of that are effective?

Answer 1

Hi Sawyer

Here are some ideas to use and remember that allergies are internal issues with the blood. Doing a colon and liver cleanse for 5-7 days to rid of the toxins would do your body wonders.

Herbal Medicine: There are a variety of herbs that offer relief from allergies, such as goldenseal, red sage, and goldenrod. To reduce mucus, try astringents such as yarrow and myrrh (Commiphora myrrha). These help to contract inflamed tissues and reduce secretions and discharges. To strengthen immune response use echinacea, astragalus root, goldenseal root, and Pfaffia paniculata (suma or Brazilian ginseng). These herbs can be effective and safe for treating weakened immune systems.

Cayenne pepper is a favorite herb among those treating allergy patients. The active ingredient is a strong anti-inflammatory, and it is recommend to allergy suffers, including asthma patients, as a simple and effective treatment. Sprinkling liberal amounts of the pepper on meals for a few days can provide relief.

Although herbal remedies have shown excellent results in reducing allergy/sensitivity symptoms, using herbs to treat allergies involves an individual approach. Some particularly effective anti-inflammatory herbs are stinging nettle, Ginkgo biloba, and licorice. Chinese skullcap, ephedra, and feverfew are others to consider for treating allergy symptoms. Patients whose conditions are severe should consult with a trained herbalist or naturopath.

A major symptom of allergies is gastrointestinal upset, including bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea. Demulcent herbs can alleviate these symptoms (demulcent is a term used by herbalists to describe an herb that has a protective effect on the mucous membranes by minimizing irritation). The most commonly used herbs are marshmallow, slippery elm bark, cabbage juice, okra, fenugreek, and aloe vera.

Homeopathy: Homeopathy has widespread applications for the treatment of allergies. In many situations, minute diluted doses of the substance a person is allergic to can be prepared as a homeopathic solution that triggers the body`s natural ability to heal itself.

Homeopathic remedies are best prescribed by a competent homeopath. Self-diagnosis is discouraged due to the variety of factors that must be considered before the appropriate treatment is selected. However, the following remedies can be helpful: Ferrum phos, lycopodium, and silica.

Juice Therapy: A juice fast of organic vegetable juices for 2-3 weeks can help detoxify the body, thus improving its ability to cope with allergies. Two useful juice combinations for this purpose are beet, carrot, and cucumber; and carrot and celery. For added benefit, add a small piece of ginger root to either juice combination.

Water: For people with allergies and sensitivities, it is particularly important to keep well hydrated. Eight to twelve 8-oz glasses of water daily, with little or no fluid intake at meals, is recommended. Waiting thirty minutes before a meal, or prolonging water intake until two hours after meals is commonly advised. Additional water is needed if you consume coffee, alcohol, or caffeine products, or eat heavy meats. It`s advisable to drink only water that has been reliably purified through reverse osmosis, activated charcoal, de-ionization, or distillation; these filtration methods remove chlorine and fluoride from tap water.

Water therapy: Another important dietary approach for dealing with allergies was discovered by the late Dr. Batmanghelidj, a leading expert in the relationship between water and health. According to Dr. Batmanghelidj, a person with allergies should drink half of his or her weight in ounces (for example, a 180 pound man would drink 90 ounces) of pure, filtered water each day, and include half a teaspoon of sea salt in one of the glasses. The sea salt adds vital trace minerals and other factors. Many people have been cured of their allergies simply using this approach. Dr. Batmanghelidj discovered water`s healing properties while he was a prisoner in Iran during the time of the US embassy hostage crisis. Water was all that he had available to him to minister to the needs of his fellow jailed inmates and, to his surprise, it cured them.

Best of health to you

Answer 2

Curry.

Answer 3

Ephedra works extremely well.

Answer 4

spicy food, like chili. (works like a charm)
peppermint or other mint
eucalyptus (often found in cough drops)