Looking Ahead To Spring Allergies: Food and Other Natural Tips

Spring showers may bring May flowers, but
for many, springtime brings the misery of allergies. "People with seasonal
allergies are especially sensitive to pollen and mold spores," noted Dr.
Holly Lucille, a naturopathic physician specializing in family medicine at
Healing Within Healthcare in Los Angeles. "There are natural solutions to
deal with the sneezing, stuffy nose, itchy eyes and all the other allergy
symptoms that can come with the spring."

Having practiced in the natural health field for over 16 years, Dr. Lucille
has found that reducing exposure to allergens and using proven herbal
formulas go hand in hand. "Dealing with seasonal allergies requires a
comprehensive approach." she said. "I advise patients to take an herbal
formula that's been clinically shown to soothe symptoms and provide safe and
effective seasonal allergy relief." She added, "Herbal formulas work with
the body and help patients avoid the side effects of prescription or
over-the counter medications."

Dr. Lucille's top 10 tips for natural allergy relief are below:

1. Go herbal - Look for a formula with caper, olive leaf, black currant, and
Panax ginseng, like Seasonal Freedom(tm) from Enzymatic Therapy. It has been
clinically shown to decrease the body's response to allergen triggers by up
to 70 percent. This dietary supplement contains a 4-Seasons(tm) herbal blend
that's fast-acting and delivers relief, without making you sleepy or
jittery. For more details on Seasonal Freedom natural allergy relief go to
www.enzymatictherapy.com.
2. Get your probiotics. Because imbalances of intestinal flora are common
for people who have allergies, probiotics may be a good choice. Probiotic
comes from pro, which means 'for', and bios, which means 'life.' So
probiotic literally means "for life." Probiotics are the good bacteria, such
as Lactobaccillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum that live in our
intestines and are essential for the maintenance of strong immune systems.
Getting your probiotics, whether in yogurt or in a supplement such as
Acidophilus Pearls(tm), is a great way to boost total body immunity.
3. Stay hydrated. Drinking lots of liquids helps to flush out mucus.
However, when you hydrate, you also need minerals to hold onto the water.
Sodium maintains water balance outside the cells, while potassium, magnesium
and calcium-all available in a good multivitamin with minerals-help to
maintain water balance inside the cells.
4. Nasal flushing: Flushing with saline (salt) water can be an effective way
to relieve sinus symptoms. It works by flushing out pollen and thinning out
the mucus to help clear nasal passages.
5. Save exercise or yard work for the afternoon, since pollen counts are
highest from 5 am to 10 am. If possible, delegate the yard work. If you must
do yard work, use a pollen-filtering mask.
6. Monitor air quality and check pollen count reports. Rainy, cloudy, and
windless days usually have lower pollen counts. The best time to go outside
is after a good rainfall-it helps to clear pollen from the air.
7. Keep your windows closed at home or in the car during high pollen days
and take off your shoes when you come in the house. Much of the household
dirt, dust, and allergens come from the bottom of shoes. Dust regularly.
8. Wash bedding in hot water (130°F) on a weekly basis. You will also want
to wash any stuffed animals on a regular basis. If the stuffed animal is too
delicate or too large for the washer, you'll want to put it in a plastic bag
and put it in the freezer for 24-48 hours. This will help to kill dust
mites.
9. Cover mattresses and pillows in zippered dust-proof covers. These
allergen-impermeable covers help minimize the penetration of allergens.
10. Keep humidity levels low. Keep the air conditioning set at a lower
temperature and reduce moisture around the home. Dehumidifiers will help
reduce both mold and dust mites.

Dr. Lucille added, "By taking care to avoid pollen and using a natural sinus
relief formula, a person with allergies can dramatically reduce their
symptoms and the number of days they're out of commission." For more
information on Dr. Lucille's practice, Healing from Within Healthcare, go to
http://www.allheallucille.com.