 Fall allergies: sniffling and sneezing Most people think of autumn and imagine beautiful red and orange and yellow leaves and pumpkins and cool, crisp weather. Those are the fortunate ones. Because then there are the unfortunate ones, for whom fall means sniffling, sneezing, watery eyes, and wheezing.
But you shouldn't let your fall allergy fears keep you indoors. Instead, learn what triggers your allergies (known as hay fever), and then find a way to avoid or treat them.
Seasonal allergies are usually triggered by an allergic response to mold, pollen, or other tiny microscopic substances that emerge full-force with the changing of the seasons and then gradually simmer down.
Some of the most common fall allergy triggers include: Ragweed, a common weed with finely divided leaves and tiny, greenish-white, down-turned blossoms.
Mold, which peaks in the humid months of late summer and early autumn. This stuff is especially problematic for people with asthma and allergies. Outdoor molds are found in falling leaves, soil, vegetation, and rotting wood. Indoor molds flourish in damp household areas such as basements, shower stalls, and near washing machines and dryers.
Dust mites, which are actually present year-round, but that especially cause problems during the fall months when they're stirred up by dirty ventilation systems.
As I'm sure you've noticed, some triggers are present outdoors and indoors-so in most cases, there's really no escaping allergy season. So the best thing to do is to accept that allergic reactions are going to happen-and then be ready for them.
First off, there are several supplements that I swear by when it comes to allergy protection. Quercetin-an antihistamine found in onions, apples, and green and black teas-is the most effective anti-allergic bioflavonoid. Smaller amounts can be found in leafy green vegetables and beans. This substance naturally keeps your immune cells from releasing histamine and heparin, both major causes of allergic symptoms. Try 1,000 to 2,000 mg of quercetin, one to three times a day. Jarrow, Now Foods, Source Naturals, and Solgar all offer quality products. I use it myself - leaf molds do a number on me - and I find it quite effective.
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a revered folk remedy for treating asthma and bronchitis. It can also slow down a runny nose and calm sneezing. Take one or two capsules, usually 600 to 800 mgs each, two to four times a day. I like the Nature's Way product.
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is an effective antihistamine that's great for hay fever, without causing drowsiness. Try 50 mg two to three times a day. Petadolex is an established and reliable gel-cap formulation of butterbur. It's available in health-food stores, and there are a lot of Internet sources.
Grape seed extract is a potent antioxidant and natural anti-histamine that you can add to daily doses of vitamin C (250 mg) and vitamin E with mixed tocopherols (200 IU), which you should already be taking. I team this up with quercitin.
Take 50 to 100 mgs daily. I like Activin, a grape seed extract produced by Dry Creek Nutrition, but there are a wide variety of other good products, including Nature's Made, Vitamin World, Puritans' Pride, Twin Labs, and Nature's Way.
| 
|
