HOMEOPATHY AND ALLERGIES:
GETTING A JUMP START ON THE ALLERGY SEASON
Homeopathic remedies can be an excellent alternative healing approach
for both hay fever and allergies. They are FDA approved, considered
non-toxic, non-addictive, safe and have very few side effects. Also,
these natural medicines work to assist the body in recovering its
inherited regenerative abilities.
Homeopathy stems from Hypocrites idea that "likes cure likes" and
evolved through Doctor Samuel Hahnemann into the 19th Century. As a
means of testing his theory, Hahnemann, being physically healthy,
ingested a substance known as Peruvian Bark, causing the symptoms of
malaria. He surmised that because this substance caused the symptoms of
malaria to arise, then it would also alleviate them in someone who had
similar ones. He was right, and Homeopathy has proven to be a valuable
complement to traditional healing methods.
With allergies, remedies work to correct the imbalance of the system,
free it from sensitivity and alleviate future disharmony.
As hay fever season is growing in length and allergies maintain a
constant annoyance, certain remedies can be useful in reducing the
typical symptoms that ensue, including sneezing, itchy, red eyes, runny
nose and scratchy throat.
The following are just a few of the remedies available for hay fever or
allergy symptoms. Included is a brief sketch of the remedy and its
related symptom picture:
ALLIUM CEPA
: Has copious watery and acrid nasal discharge, with watery
eyes and severe sneezing. Red and burning eyes which are worse entering
a warm, stuffy room. Thirst is prominent.
ARSENICUM ALBUM: Restlessness with burning discharges that are thin and
watery. Sensitive to smells. Lots of sneezing. Burning thirst for cold
drinks, but better with hot applications and perspiring. Generally worse
at midnight.
EUPHRASIA: Good for sneezing with bland nasal discharges. There is a
continuous burning sensation in the eyes, which are also red, watery and
irritated. Some aspect of the throat is usually involved. Sunlight and
open air is irritating while making most other symptoms worse. Eyelids
are often swollen and there is frequent blinking.
SABADILLA: Violent sneezing causes the nose to itch. Eyelids are red.
The mouth is quite dry, but thirst is diminished or lacking. If there is
a new or full moon, most symptoms are worse. Cold air can also be
annoying. The nose can be either runny or stuffy with a great
sensitivity to various smells.
WYETHIA: The roof of the mouth itches and the tongue is often used to
scratch it. Frequently, the throat feels swollen and irritated. There is
a consistent nasal discharge with a burning sensation. The nasal
passages and throat feel very dry.
Additional remedies to consider: Natrum Muriaticum, Ambrosia,
Kali Bicromium, Arsenicum Iodatum, Nux Vomica, Arundo and Gelsemium.
Detailed information on the pictures these additional remedies present
can often be found at your local health food store.
Chose a remedy based on as many unique or unusual symptoms as possible
and check for the corresponding remedy symptoms described above. Give
the remedy some time to resonate with your system, at least a day or so,
before considering another one.
In my practice, I have found that the best way to take a remedy during
a severe attack, is to place several pellets of the best chosen remedy
in a glass of distilled water, allow it to dissolve, stir well, and take
a small sip every ten minutes for one hour, or until improvement,
whichever occurs first. If there is no beneficial effect, then consider
a different remedy. There's no reason to repeat the remedy until, or if,
acute symptoms arise again.
Homeopathy can be helpful in all types of allergy situations, both
chronic and acute. Consult a Homeopath for more information. Remedies
can be purchased at most health food stores, but I recommend the lower
potencies, such as, 6c, 6x, 12c, 12x, until you are more familiar with
the remedies, as despite their safety, caution is advised.
There are various Herb’s and supplements that are also very useful for
allergies. Please contact me at either of the numbers listed below for
more information, or Elvire van Leeuwen-Smith in the karinya
web site.
|
David A. Dancu, N.D. is a Naturopath and freelance writer, specializing
in Homeopathy. He maintains a practice in Naples, Florida and is the
author of Homeopathic Vibrations: A Guide for Natural Healing
(Sunshine Press, 1996) available in Karinya and through local bookstores. He can be
reached thru naturopath@ureach.com or 941/434-2497 or write to PO Box
337, Naples, FL 34106 |
