Natural Seasonal Allergy Remedies

I will never forget the spring of 2004. It was reportedly the worst allergy season ever (don't they say that every year?) where we lived in Snellville, Georgia. I was the mom of a 3 year old boy and 18 month old girl who kept me VERY busy. Normally I barely notice the pollen count, but I didn't need the news report to tell me it was high this season. Before long, I was practically debilitated by sinus pain, itchy eyes, watery nose, sneezing, and fatigue. I didn't realize how much allergies can drain from you, but I was on the sofa more than not, trying to keep up with two active toddlers. It wasn't working! I got great relief from taking my children's Benedryl...of course it knocked me out, so I didn't get to enjoy it. I was lucid enough to notice that my son was having coughing attacks whenever he got active, and especially when he went out to play. Recognizing the classic asthma symptoms, I had had enough.

A month before allergy season hit, I attended a lecture on nutritional supplements. I learned a TON of information, and realized I should be taking something more than the One-A-Day I was relying on. But since I had no pressing health problems nagging at me, I kept putting off ordering any to try since I needed to look at our budget to see what we could afford. When the allergies hit, I didn't care about the budget anymore. I ordered the vitamins and waited.

A few days later, our package arrived and I quickly took my supplements. I started my children on the children's chewable version. Within 2 hours, my allergies were GONE. COMPLETELY GONE. I could NOT believe it. Most people don't respond that quickly, but if it had worked even a week later, I would have been thrilled.

Why did the vitamins work?

What you might be wondering right now is if vitamins work, why do doctors prescribe medications for allergies? I would like to know that as well, but that is a whole different story for another day. Let's just agree that doctors know very little about nutrition and a LOT about drugs. While the vitamins I took are not specifically for allergies, they ARE well balanced vitamins created to work synergistically. They are meant to bring our body back into balance. So whether you are suffering from allergies, asthma, arthritis, heart disease, and even cancer, providing the RIGHT vitamins in the RIGHT amounts gives your body all of the tools that it needs to heal itself. More specifically, the Usana supplements I took contained the following which are known for their anti-inflammatory and/or anti-histamine properties:

Check out the Essentials info to see the following nutrients and the other amazing ingredients

• Bioflavonoid Complex- Quercetin, Rutin, Hesperidin, Green Tea Extract (Decaffeinated), Billberry Extract

• Bromelain

• Omega-3 fatty acids- (anti-inflammatory)

• Grape Seed Extract

The list above means very little until you combine it with the other ingredients found in the Essentials. You will find 1300 mg of Vitamin C, which works synergistically with all of these AND the 450 IU of vitamin E. If you visit the links I've provided for each ingredient, you will see something VERY important. While I took these vitamins for allergies, I am simultaneously preventing cancer, improving circulation, preventing heart disease, relieving arthritis, increasing brain power, etc.... Can you get all of these with allergy medications?

What else can I do to help with my allergies?

While the vitamins alone did the trick for me, there is something else we have learned about allergies and indoor air quality. Mostly, indoor air is much more polluted than outdoor air. The best thing for your body is to improve the air quality where you spend the majority of your day.

This will allow the vitamins to work more efficiently in your body, since they won't have to clean up the mess from what you are breathing in! The less they have to "clean up," the better off your entire body will be. We suggest the Airwise air purifier. It is small enough and light enough to take with you to work or school, and if you have asthma, it is IMPERATIVE that you start breathing cleaner air.

It goes without saying...eat your fruits and veggies. Stay away from sweets and refined carbs, only treating yourself to these things periodically. Drink 8 glasses of distilled water a day in addition to the nutritional supplements. You got this way from neglect; it's time to start treating your body as if you are going to need it until you are 95 years old.

What happened to my 3 year old?

I saved the best for last. He is turning 5 next month and is the picture of excellent health. His coughing, sniffling, and red, droopy eyes disappeared. Last spring, he had no allergy or asthma symptoms at all. Both of my children are very healthy, and I know it is because of their children's vitamins. It is such a small investment to know that I am protecting their health today as well as their future health. It is SO worth it! Isn't it?