How effective complementary treatments will be for you may depend on how severe your symptoms are, your biochemistry and the types of therapies you consider. While many studies suggest alternative medicine is not helpful for allergies, an equal number suggest complementary therapies are very helpful for reducing allergies and allergic symptoms.
Currently, statistics derived from the National Institutes of Health and the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of American acknowledge that almost half of the population at some point considers alternative medicine to treat allergies and other common health problems.
Roughly 40 percent of those have tried one or more types of alternative therapies, suggesting the trend toward alternative medicine is growing, and that people are willing to try just about anything to relieve their symptoms.
Many times, you’ll find if you talk to your doctor they may encourage you to give some alternative therapies a try, as long as you use caution. You should not for example, stop carrying around your emergency epinephrine kit because you decide you want to treat your allergies with alternative medicine.
You also don’t want to throw out your inhaler until you find an effective treatment or combination of treatments that works well for you. For many, this will involve a process of trial and error. What most people find is they can gradually reduce the amount of over-the-counter remedies they use for therapy by combining traditional healing with complementary medical practices.
Step One – Find a Board Certified Provider
If you want to try alternative medicine, your first step should be finding a board certified alternative medicine provider. You wouldn’t after all, consult with an allergist or M.D. without verifying their credentials, would you? (you shouldn’t). The same holds true for complementary practitioners.
You want to make sure you find someone to work with that has experience treating allergies and has a proper education. Also take into consideration most alternative therapies are not covered by insurance, though some limited services (like acupuncture and chiropractic therapy) are. So keep in mind you may have to pay for a large part of your alternative approaches out of pocket.
Are Complementary Therapies A Crock?
Sorting fact from fiction – Do your alternative therapies really work, or are they just a simple magician’s trick?
Many doctor’s and researchers claim that alternative therapies have a placebo affect, and do not really cure allergies, but work only because people “believe” they will work, thus they have what is called a “placebo” effect.
This is not a bad thing. If something improves, even if it is because you simply “think” it will work, then where is the harm in that? Much of modern medicine acknowledges the mind has a huge part in assessing how people conquer and overcome disease.
So if you “think” yourself to wellness by using alternative therapies, what harm can come of it as long as you get better? It is good to have healthy skepticism of anything you try, and you should throw out your prescription medicines immediately on trying natural therapy. Some traditional therapies take a while to work, and may start working about the same time you try a new therapy.
Still, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t at least try. As with anything, you should use alternative medicine cautiously, taking the time you need to investigate treatment choices thoroughly.
Herbs
Herbs are a common “choice” treatment for allergy sufferers because they involve little effort and are easily incorporated into one’s diet. Keep in mind if you suffer from allergies and take other medications, they may interact with the herbs you try.
You should always contact a qualified healthcare provider before you try herbs to treat your allergies or prevent symptoms from flaring up. Remember Step 1. Some of the more common herbs used to treat allergies include:
Butterbur – Formally known as “petasites hybridus” this herb is often used to treat many common ailments, including stomach cramps, coughs, asthma and allergies. Many researchers have looked into this herb as a “natural” treatment for allergies. While the mechanisms through which it works are not yet fully understood, many believe butterbur helps stimulate the secretion of natural antihistamines in the body. Others believe it may block the body from producing histamine and other inflammatory agents when a person is exposed to a known allergen.
Nettle – This herb is often used as preventive treatment for sensitivities and allergies. Many believe it helps with symptoms including itching, dry or watery eyes and the sniffles.
Quercetin – This is not an herb, but actually an antioxidant often mistaken for an herb. It comes from water-soluble plant particles. You can actually get quercetin from foods you eat, including apples and red onions. This may be why many people have the belief that eating onion soup is good for curing colds and preventing or treating allergies.
Mint – This herb is natural and healthy. You can easily incorporate it into your diet. Mint is good for headaches associated with nasal congestion, and may also help relieve an itchy throat or other itchy symptoms. Mint tea can also help reduce a chronic dry cough.
Mulberry – Mulberry is often recommended for patients whose symptoms include a dry, persistent cough or irritated throat.
Horehound – This unusually named herb is helpful for sinus infections because it helps break up mucous congestion. Some people use this in lieu of traditional decongestants. Many also use this herb to help relieve coughing and a sore throat. Some health food stores offer this herb in the form of candy.
Most herbs come in the form of capsules or tea. You can also sometimes find dried herb in some natural health food stores. As some herbs are bitter, you may find you need to take your tea with a bit of honey or a splash of lemon. The simple act of drinking hot tea with lemon may make you feel better, whether the herb works or not.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy is another common natural treatment. This is one of the more benign forms of treatment that is least likely to result in health problems, so it may be worth a try. Homeopathy is based on the idea that like treats like; homeopaths generally use substances that contain a microscopic amount of a substance that would normally cause a condition, on the idea that it will actually stimulate the body’s immune system to treat the condition or symptom. Kind of like a vaccine might provide protection by introducing small amounts of a killed or weakened irritant. Here are some common homeopathic remedies offered to patients with allergies.
Arsenicum album – This is often prescribed for people that have asthma and food allergies or sensitivities. Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting or diarrhea. This homeopathic remedy is also often given to people that feel anxious.
Calcarea carbonica – This remedy often helps with fatigue, gas, and digestive problems common to individuals with food sensitivities. Calcarea carbonica may also be helpful for individuals that have swollen lymph nodes.
Carbo vegetabilis – This unique homeopathic remedy is also helpful for treating food sensitivities. It may be prescribed for people whose symptoms appear worse in the evening, or for individuals who are easily upset.
Hepar sulphuris – This homeopath is often used for skin conditions including eczema or people that develop ear infections resulting from exposure to known allergens. May also be helpful for addressing respiratory symptoms.
Natrum carbonicum – Most helpful for individuals with sensitivities to dairy or milk products. Symptoms may include excessive bloating, gas or lactose intolerance.
If you want to try homeopathic remedies, your best bet is to consult with a trained homeopath. Most will work with a person to match a remedy to a person’s individual constitution and symptoms. It can be hard to try to match up the right personality, constitution and symptoms with the proper remedy. You may also find this a bit confusing or just too unusual, but remember, when you are suffering from allergies, sometimes trying something new is better than suffering.