The Allergy Cure

September 15, 2013

Home remedies and natural treatments

 

 

Attention hay fever sufferers, help is here! Natural remedies can reduce symptoms and/or improve the ability of your immune system to resist the seasonal (or perpetual) onslaughts.

 

Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, is a catchall term for both seasonal and perennial rhinitis—and it’s the most common immune system disorder in the US, affecting about 35 million Americans. Seasonal triggers include ragweed pollen (common in the fall), tree pollen (common in the spring) and grass pollen (common in the late spring and early summer). Year-round hay fever triggers include dust mites and cockroaches, spores from fungi and molds, and dander from pets.

 

Symptoms include runny nose, watery/itchy eyes, sneezing and/or coughing. You can treat the symptoms with antihistamines or other medications, but they’re often expensive and may cause side effects.

 

Here are our favorite natural remedies. Try one or two at a time to see which one(s) work for you.

Caution: Always check with your doctor before starting or stopping any medications or supplements.

 

BEE POLLEN

 

Research has shown that bee pollen (which is made by honeybees and is the food of the young bee) may inhibit the activity of mast cells, a class of immune system cells that release histamine, the substance that causes itchy eyes, nasal congestion and other allergy symptoms.

 

To use: Start taking bee pollen about four months before the start of your typical hay fever season. For the first few days, take just a few granules at a time. Then slowly increase the amount every day for a month, until you’re taking about one teaspoon a day. Follow the same slow progression for the second and third months, until you’re taking a total of three teaspoons a day. You have to go slowly because taking too much bee pollen too quickly could cause an allergic reaction of its own, with symptoms such as stomach pain, hives and a fast heart rate.

 

Caution: If you have an insect allergy—especially to bees—steer clear of bee pollen, which can contain bee saliva

 

FENUGREEK TEA

 

Fenugreek is the herb that gives curries their slightly peppery flavor. As with bee pollen, you can use it to desensitize your immune system prior to allergy season. It’s also a mucolytic that naturally loosens phlegm and reduces coughing and sneezing.

 

To use: About three months before your allergy season, start drinking a daily cup of fenugreek tea. You can buy bags of this tea in health-food stores. Or you can buy the whole seeds…put about one teaspoon in a tea strainer…cover with just-boiled water…and steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Continue to drink it throughout your allergy season.

 

HONEYCOMB

 

Honeycomb is a natural antihistamine. When hay fever is flaring, chew a one-inch square of honeycomb. Swallow the honey, and keep chewing the waxy portion for about 10 minutes, then spit it out and discard. You probably will notice the difference right away.

 

You can buy honeycomb in most health-food stores, but try to find honeycomb that is produced in your area. You want it to contain trace amounts of the same pollens that, in larger amounts, trigger your symptoms.

 

Caution: If you are allergic to bees, stay away from honeycomb.

 

GARLIC AND HORSERADISH

 

Potent chemical compounds in both garlic and horseradish thin mucus and make it more watery. They will help reduce sneezing, congestion and other hay fever symptoms.

 

To use: Finely mince a clove of raw garlic, and add it to water, orange juice or applesauce. Then add one-quarter teaspoon of horseradish to vegetable juice—or sprinkle it on a salad—and consume that. Both the aromas and the strong flavors of these pungent herbs will clear nasal congestion in seconds.
 

To prevent nausea, make sure that you have food in your stomach before swallowing raw garlic.

 

NETTLE

 

Also known as stinging nettle (because the leaves and stems have hairlike barbs that sting the skin), it’s a traditional allergy remedy. When taken orally, it blocks the body’s production of histamine and reduces inflammation and congestion.

 

To use: You can drink a tea made from nettle, but it is easier to take a freeze-dried extract. The typical dose is one or two capsules every two to four hours during allergy flare-ups.

 

LAVENDER OIL

 

Lavender can be used as aromatherapy to relieve congestion and other allergy symptoms. The scent-filled molecules act as natural antihistamines and reduce inflammation and congestion in the nasal passages.

 

To use: Put a drop or two of lavender oil on a handkerchief. Take a deep sniff every few minutes when your allergies are flaring.

 

QUERCETIN

 

Every time you eat an apple or add onion to a recipe, you’re getting small amounts of quercetin, a bioflavonoid that reduces inflammation. In large enough doses, it inhibits the effects of histamine and reduces nasal congestion. But you can’t get adequate amounts of quercetin from foods to control allergies.

 

To use: When you are having allergy symptoms, take 300 milligrams (mg) to 600 mg of a quercetin supplement daily.

 

FISH OIL

 

The omega-3 fatty acids in fish and fish oil have been shown to reduce inflammation throughout the body. Cardiologists often recommend fish oil to lower triglycerides and prevent heart disease and stroke. It also can lessen allergy symptoms by reducing inflammation and swelling in the nasal passages.

 

To use: Take 2,000 mg daily.

 

Look for a fish-oil product that says “purified” or “mercury-free” on the label. It should contain at least 500 mg of EPA and 250 mg of DHA per capsule. You can find the capsules online or in health-food stores.

 

Caution: Check with your doctor, especially if you also are taking a blood-thinning medication such as warfarin. Using both together could increase the risk of bleeding.

 

A RAZOR

 

Men, this one’s for you—your allergies might be originating right under your nose.

 

It’s common for grains of pollen to get trapped in mustaches and beards. Every time you inhale, the featherweight grains waft upward and into the nostrils, triggering allergies.

 

Helpful: If you would prefer not to shave off your mustache or beard, get into the habit of shampooing it after you’ve spent time outdoors during your allergy season.

 

Source: Joan Wilen and Lydia Wilen, health investigators based in New York City who have spent decades collecting “cures from the cupboard,” traditional remedies that have been successfully used by millions of people worldwide. Their most recent book is Bottom Line’s Treasury of Home Remedies & Natural Cures (Bottom Line Books).

 

http://www.bottomlinepublications.com/content/article/health-a-healing/the-allergy-cure

Indian Spice ... Fenugreek ... Increases Male Libido Naturally

Indian Spice Works Wonders in the Bedroom to Increase Male Libido Naturally

 

Danica Collins

According to a new study, leaves from the fenugreek plant can increase male libido naturally.
Fenugreek is a strong herb that grows in the Mediterranean. It’s great for spicing up Indian curries and other items…including our sex lives.

Researchers found that men taking fenugreek can boost their sex drive by at least 25%. The study authors say that compounds called saponins inside the fenugreek seed stimulate production of male sex hormones, including testosterone.

The Washington Post reported on the study in June 2011:

Over the centuries, foods such as asparagus, almonds, and bananas have been called aphrodisiacs, but few have survived the rigors of clinical studies. Fenugreek can now boast it has.

In the study, 60 healthy men age 25 to 52 took an extract of the herb twice a day for 6 weeks, according to the Daily Mail. The men were required to answer a survey describing their level of libido and desire with a special scoring system to analyze changes.

By the end of the 6 weeks, the increase male libido levels had soared, of those men who had swallowed fenugreek. It went from an average of 16.1 to 20.6, a 28 per cent rise. Men taking dummy pills saw their scores fall.

Fenugreek isn’t just for men. It’s also been shown effective as a natural aphrodisiac, to increase female libido and lessen the effect of hot flashes, mood fluctuations, and other common symptoms of menopause and PMS.

In India and China, fenugreek is used for:

• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• To improve digestion
• To maintain a healthy metabolism
• Increase male libido naturally and male potency
• Skin problems (wounds, rashes and boils)
• Sore throat
• Acid reflux

Recent studies show fenugreek might help lower cholesterol. It’s also been shown to reduce blood glucose, which means it could be beneficial for both type 1 and 2 diabetes. The herb is currently being studied for its cardiovascular benefits. Plus, applied topically, it’s an effective treatment for hair loss.

That’s a long list of potent health benefits packed into one spicy plant!


Read more: http://undergroundhealthreporter.com/fenugreek-increase-male-libido-naturally

Supplements for Cholesterol

Supplements for Cholesterol: What Works?

Home >> Health A-Z >> Cholesterol Condition Center >> Journey >> Cholesterol Medication >> Supplements for Cholesterol: What Works?

Don't rely on word of mouth

If you’re looking for a natural way to lower your cholesterol—in addition to watching what you eat and exercising—there are plenty of dietary supplements on the market that claim to do the trick.

These claims aren't always backed up by research, however. Though not always perfect, scientific studies are the best way to determine if an alternative remedy really works. Below, we break down what the research does—and doesn’t—say about the benefits of the most popular supplements for lowering cholesterol.

Artichoke leaf extract

What it is: The dried extract of the leaf of the artichoke plant (also known as Cynara scolymus).

The evidence: Very few quality studies on artichoke leaf extract and cholesterol exist, and the results have been mixed. In a rigorous 2000 study, people with total cholesterol in the high-risk range who took an artichoke supplement for six weeks lowered their low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or bad cholesterol) levels by 23%, on average. But a more recent trial of similar design found no measurable impact on either LDL or high-density lipoprotein (HDL, also known as good cholesterol).

The bottom line: More evidence is needed to confirm the effect of artichoke on cholesterol (or lack thereof). Don’t expect your LDL to plummet if you take artichoke supplements.

Fenugreek

What it is: A seed (often ground into a powder) that has been used since the days of ancient Egypt.

The evidence: Several studies dating back to the 1990s have reported that, in high doses, various fenugreek seed preparations can lower total cholesterol and LDL, in some cases dramatically. (One study recorded a drop in LDL of 38%.) Almost without exception, however, the studies have been small and of poor quality.

The bottom line: Despite the studies frequently cited as proof of fenugreek’s ability to lower cholesterol, there is not enough evidence to support its use.

Soluble fiber

What it is: A type of dietary fiber found in oats, barley, bran, peas, and citrus fruits.

The evidence: Each gram of soluble fiber that you add to your daily diet will lower your LDL by about 2 points, according to a 1999 review of the research conducted at the Harvard Medical School. The amount of fiber you’d need to eat to significantly lower your LDL is a bit unwieldy, however. Three bowls of oatmeal a day will only yield about 3 grams of soluble fiber, and fiber supplements can cause some gastrointestinal side effects.

The bottom line: A diet high in soluble fiber can lower your LDL. But the effect is likely to be relatively modest, and loading up on soluble fiber may be impractical.

Fish oil

What it is: A combination of two heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids, EPA and DPA.

The evidence: In clinical trials using relatively high doses (3 grams or more), fish oil has been shown to lower triglyceride levels—the third component of your total cholesterol number—by around 10% to 30%. (The higher your triglyceride levels, the more effective it is.) But fish oil doesn’t lower LDL; it actually tends to cause a slight rise in LDL.

The bottom line: Fish oil lowers triglycerides, which have been associated with an increased risk of heart disease. For most people lowering LDL is more important, however.

Garlic

What it is: A member of the onion family that is available as an oil, extract, or pill.

The evidence: In 2000, the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reported that garlic caused a small but measurable drop in both LDL and total cholesterol, but only in the short term (three months). Subsequent research hasn’t been as encouraging. A 2007 study in the Archives of Internal Medicine found that taking raw garlic or garlic supplements over a six-month period did not cause a measurable effect on total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, or triglyceride levels.

The bottom line: Though garlic may help lower LDL temporarily, its ability to meaningfully affect cholesterol levels is questionable.

Ginseng

What it is: An herb native to Asia that has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.

The evidence: Several studies have found a beneficial effect from ginseng on one or more cholesterol components, but most of the studies were small, only a few were randomized, and none were blinded or placebo-controlled. One study that found a drop in LDL levels of 45% and a rise in HDL of 44% (!) wasn’t controlled, included only eight participants, and was funded by a Korean manufacturer of ginseng products.

The bottom line: Though the research can’t be ignored entirely, there isn’t enough to evidence to support the use of ginseng to lower cholesterol.

Guggul

What it is: A tree-resin extract, long used in Ayurvedic medicine, that contains plant sterols (guggulsterones).

The evidence: Early studies on guggul reported reductions in total cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides of 10% or more, but most of the studies were small and flawed. Then, in 2003, a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association—the first guggul study conducted in the U.S.—found that guggul had no measurable effect on total cholesterol, HDL, or triglycerides, and that it caused an increase in LDL of about 5%.

The bottom line: The JAMA study was a black eye for guggul. More research is needed, but for now there is not enough evidence to justify using guggul to lower cholesterol.

Niacin

What it is: A B vitamin (also known as nictotinic acid) that occurs naturally in meat, fish, and dairy.

The evidence: Clinical trials dating back to the 1970s have shown that niacin can lower LDL and triglycerides. But its most notable effect is on HDL, which it can raise by up to 35%. Niacin only has this effect at high doses of 2 grams to 3 grams a day, however, and is typically administered as a prescription drug (such as Niaspan). Niacin is also available as an over-the-counter supplement in doses of 500 milligrams or more, but taking large amounts of niacin can cause potentially serious side effects.

The bottom line: Niacin boosts HDL, but niacin supplements should not be taken in lieu of a prescription.

Red yeast rice

What it is: A fungus that grows on rice and contains small amounts of lovastatin, a naturally occurring form of statin.

The evidence: In numerous studies over the years, various red yeast rice preparations have been shown to lower LDL by around 20% to 30%, comparable to a prescription statin. In the most recent clinical trial, red yeast rice capsules lowered LDL by 21%.

The bottom line: Red yeast rice’s ability to lower cholesterol is proven, but its potency makes some experts wary. The amount of lovastatin in red yeast rice pills varies widely across brands (some may even be spiked with it), and due to safety concerns doctors discourage its use.

Soy protein

What it is: A protein found in soy foods such as tofu, edamame, and soy milk.

The evidence: The FDA allows the labels of certain foods containing soy protein to claim that, as part of a heart-healthy diet, soy protein may help reduce the risk of heart disease by lowering LDL. Research has found that soy protein’s effect is relatively modest, however. A 2006 review by the American Heart Association found that consuming 50 grams of soy protein a day—twice as much as the FDA says is necessary to reduce the risk of heart disease—results in an average drop in LDL of just 3%.The bottom line: Soy protein does lower LDL, but only slightly. The size of the effect seems to have been overstated. (Still have questions about natural cholesterol-lowering remedies? Ask our Natural Living experts)

See also: Black Fungus on this blog.

http://www.health.com/health/gallery/0,,20306863_1,00.html
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