HERBS AND REMEDIES FOR
ALLERGIES AND HAYFEVER
Substances found in foods, pollen and house dust can cause many symptoms, from sniffles to migraine. Chemicals found in cleaning liquids, air fresheners, paint, beauty products and even furniture, can trigger unpleasant and sometimes dangerous allergies.
The obvious thing to do, is to avoid whatever is making you ill, but this may be easier said than done. This is where natural herbal remedies may be able to help rebalance things.
Allergic symptoms have also been attributed to the increasing amount of air pollution, overuse of antibiotics and underexposure of germs in childhood. Don't overdo it on the cleaning and sterilising. Children need germs to build up
resistance.
COMPUTERS - WIFI - WI CONSOLE
Sensitive adults and children may have a reaction to prolonged exposure to the above. Symptons can included running a temperature, red face and generally feeling unwell. Limit the time of exposure and remove such items from bedrooms. Avoid using computers before going to bed, as they stimulate the brain and may make sleeping difficult. People may suffer the same experience when living near to antennaes for mobile phone services.
PLANTS TO PURIFY AIR
Research from NASA suggests that having certain plants in your house or at work, may help to absorb and therefore remove from the air, dangerous chemicals that are systematically found in modern homes. Some of the plants suggested are boston fern, spider plant, ficus and mother-in-law's tongue.
Studies show that placing a spider plant in a newly painted, carpeted or refurbished room, will help remove the toxins found in paint, synthetic carpets, carpet glue and most modern furniture. These toxins include formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and glycol ethers.
FOOD - A MAJOR CULPRIT
Symptoms may also arise due to food allergies. Symptoms may be eczema, indigestion, diarrhoea, headaches, rashes and mood changes. Keep a diary of what you ate on days when you have particularly suffered.
Avoid foods with too many "E number" additives - they can cause hyperactivity and other behavioural changes, especially in children. Foods which often gives reactions are dairy products, gluten (found in wheat), eggs, fish, shellfish, nuts and soya beans. It is possible to take a food allergy test, whereby small amounts of food are tested on your skin.
ECZEMA
Evening Primrose |
Echinacea |
Calendula |
Nettle |
Oregan Grape |
Gotu Kola |
Evening Primrose Oil capsules and Vitamin E may help eczema when taken over a few months. Echinacea will help heal skin disorders such as eczema and acne. Calendula and gotu kola can be taken as herbal teas or in capsule form. Oregan grape and burdock are also available in capsule form.
Nettle can be used to treat eczema, psoriasis and urticaria. An infusion (tea) can be applied as a lotion to relieve inflammed and weakened skin.
ECHINACEA
Free from salt and sugar.
* Vegetarian approved.
* Not suitable for pregnant
or breast feeding women.
40 tablets 200mg
CLOTHING
Eczema can be the result of contact with agressive detergents such as washing powder or synthetic clothes. You may be able to find gentle washing powders.
A natural way of washing clothes, is by using wash nuts. Three or four nuts are placed in a cotton bag in the washing machine. The nut naturally contains a soap substance. Nuts may be used two or three times, are very ecological and completely natural.
Wearing cotton clothing, especially underwear, may also help. Always wash new clothes before wearing. They may contain chemicals or may have accumulated dust.
EVENING PRIMROSE OIL
*
Free from added starch, gluten
and yeast.
* Not suitable for vegetarians.
30 capsules 500mg
FOOD
Milk and eggs are frequently the cause of childhood eczema.
As a general rule, if you crave a certain food, you may well be allergic to it. Try eliminating that particular food from your diet for a couple of weeks to see if things improve. If you have a strong reaction when you start retaking this food, you may well be allergic.
Twinings Blackberry & Nettle
Blackberry's distinctive sweet taste and aroma takes on a rich quality
in this infusion. Its richness is balanced by the peppery taste of
nettle to create a satisfyingly refreshing drink. No caffeine or added
sugar.
40g - 20 tea bags
ASTHMA
An asthma attack makes breathing difficult, and may cause wheezing or coughing, and tightness in the chest due to swelling of inflammed bronchial passages. Asthma kills around 2000 people in Britain each year.
FOOD
Eat food rich in B VITAMINS - green leafy vegetables, beans
Sources of MAGNESIUM, in sunflower seed and dried figs, may help. Magnesium may help by relaxing the airways. It can be taken in capsule form.
Magnesium's main role is as a constituent of bone. Your natural intake may be low if you suffer from a malabsorption syndrome such as coelic and some forms of kidney disease.
It is suggested that OMEGA 3 fatty acids found in oily fish, and which have anti-inflammatory properties, may help to protect against asthma.
Some foods that can trigger reactions are those containing the following additives
benzoates - (E210-E219)
sulphites - (E220-E228)
gallates - (E310-312)
Also cider, wine, beer
Foods containing yeast and bacteria - bread, blue cheeses
Foods and drinks including E102, E104 and E110
Cow's milk, cereals, eggs, fish and peanuts
ENVIRONMENT
Environmental factors are also important. Prefer wooden floors to carpets - they hold less dust and mites. Prefer blinds or shutters to curtains for the same reason.
If your children have asthma, avoid hoovering and dusting in their presence. It can make matters worse. Wait until they are out or at school, this way the dust will have settled before their return.
HAYFEVER
| Echinacea |
Nettle |
Devil's Claw |
Luffa |
Eyebright |
|
Practitioners believe that the increasing number of people suffering from hayfever, is partly due to a weakened immune system. This may have different causes - stress, chronic illness, long-term use of antibiotics or overwork. Overuse of dairy foods, sugar and caffeine may also cause inflammation in the body, creating adrenal exhaustion.
Herbal remedies may help to rebalance the immune system. Echinacea is a well known herb for doing just that. It can be taken as a tea or in capsule form. Echinacea, along with Devil's Claw, have an anti-inflammatory action which may help those with swollen eyes and nasal passages. Taken over a period of six months or more, it will strengthen the immune system, reducing the over-triggering action that creates escalating allergies.
Twinings Nettle &
Peppermint
A flavoursome infusion with the refreshing taste
of mint. The sweet taste of peppermint in this clean tasting infusion is
perfectly complemented by the sharper, peppery taste of nettle. Nettle
is great for cleansing and detox, while peppermint will aid digestion.
Perfect after a meal.
40g - 20 tea bags
Twinings Echinacea & Raspberry
Echinacea root gives this infusion a rich quality
that is reflected in the autumnal richness of its colour. Blended with
the contrasting sweetness of raspberry. This is a good tea to drink when
you have cold or flu symptoms, or to give you more resistance to ward
them off.
40g - 20 tea bags
THIS
DOCUMENT IN NO WAY EXCLUDES THE NECESSITY OF A DIAGNOSIS FROM A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL.
