Alternative Medicines for Allergies

Homeopathy, like conventional medicine's immunotherapy, holds that the body's ability to tolerate allergens can be stimulated by diluted, nontoxic doses of certain natural substances (which, if given to a healthy person in full, toxic strength would produce the same symptoms as the allergy patient's). The difference between homeopathy and immunotherapy (allergy shots) is that homeopathy uses extremely diluted doses. Homeopathic remedies should also produce results faster than immunotherapy and without the annoying and possibly dangerous side effects.

In addition to bolstering the body against future allergy attacks, homeopathic treatments can relieve symptoms such as runny nose and watery and irritated eyes. Here's how the therapy is administered:

Homeopathic treatments are also available as over-the-counter products designed for groups of allergies. Because these preparations are not tailored to individual symptoms, they are considered less effective.

For sufferers of seasonal allergic rhinitis (commonly known as hay fever), this therapy is especially promising; at least four scientific studies have shown the effectiveness of a homeopathic treatment for hay fever. In one Scottish trial, patients who were given a homeopathic preparation of mixed grass pollens for two weeks had dramatically reduced symptoms. The symptoms of the patients who received the placebo remained the same.

Homeopathic treatment should be supervised by a trained practitioner. Treatment also may include instructions for diet and lifestyle changes.

Several herbs hold hope for allergy sufferers. Although the precise prescription for an individual patient may require professional consultation, urtica (stinging nettles) can generally provide relief from acute attacks of hay fever. Eyebright can be useful for the symptoms of runny nose and watery eyes. Siberian ginseng, elder, and licorice (the root, not the candy) can also reduce symptoms associated with hay fever. Teas of Siberian ginseng can help reduce inflammation in the sinus area.

Environmental medicine recognizes that there may be more to blame for an allergy attack than a specific allergen. Poor diet, previous exposure to pollutants or pesticides, stress, infections -- almost anything in the environment -- can predispose people to allergies. What's more, environmental medicine holds that the symptoms of allergies go beyond runny nose and itchy skin; allergies may also be responsible for ailments such as hyperactivity in children, mental fuzziness, and irritable bowel syndrome.

When treating a patient, an environmental physician first performs a physical exam and takes a detailed history, noting diet, home and work environments, emotional state, family members' allergies, and other factors. Skin tests, blood tests, elimination diets, and other testing procedures can help pinpoint the allergens. One procedure, for example, checks for allergens by placing drops of certain substances under the tongue. If symptoms develop, drops of a "neutralizing dose" ease the symptoms and build up the body's tolerance for that allergen.

Perhaps the simplest way to find relief from allergies is to create a supportive environment by:

The steps toward healing an environmental illness involve careful examination of your home. Some general measures to remove environmental irritants may also help:

An elimination diet can rout out food allergies. Foods are cut from the diet for a couple of weeks to see if symptoms disappear. If the condition has improved, foods can be added back one at a time, with careful monitoring. Food additives can also bring on allergy symptoms.

In one London study, three patients completely recovered from chronic hives (urticaria) after they stripped ingredients such as azo dyes and sulphur dioxide from their diets.

Diet recommendations for hay fever sufferers could include increasing the intake of nutrients that have an antihistimine effect, including:

Avoiding dairy products, which stimulate the production of mucus, can also be useful.