Sunday, April 18, 2010

Home Remedies for Seasonal Allergy Symptoms


This is the time of the year that many of us walk around feeling as though we are in a purple haze. Hence, a good reason to share knowledge of home remedies for seasonal allergy symptoms that has worked for many. You develop the symptoms of a stuffy nose, which reverses from being stopped up and then starts dripping, itchy and or watery eyes, and lungs burns or produces a wheezing sound, and or a scratchy throat. Or you may have the misfortune of getting sinusitis or a more serious infection that sends you running to the doctor’s office for assistance in getting well.

Since numerous allergens are inhaled a certain amount of exposure to whatever bothers you is unavoidable. Some people prefer to take allergy shots as a means of avoiding the unpleasant sometimes painful symptoms that comes with seasonal allergies. Today many of the prescription drugs like Claritin, Zyrtec, and other over-the-counter antihistamines, can now be purchased from your local drugstore without a prescription. Some people have to experiment to find out which product works best to stop one’s post nasal drip, and or red and itchy eyes. Such allergy products alone maybe enough to sustain your allergic reactions; however, for those suffering from severe allergy symptoms more assistance will be required.

Allergy Symptoms

Allergy symptoms are categorized as mild, moderate, and severe. The ultimate goal of this blog would be to assist you in keeping your symptoms ranging from mild to moderate whenever possible. Now let’s take a look at what happens within each category of allergy symptoms:

Mild allergy symptoms – Include rash, itch or watery eyes, and or congestion. These symptoms tend to stay in a localized region usually in an around the area of where the allergen has entered the body. For example a rash would occur on hands if you touched something you were allergic to verses a food allergy might cause the throat to itch.

Moderate allergy symptoms – Itchiness and or difficulty in breathing are the symptoms of this category and these allergic reactions can include some or all of the mild allergy signs as well as one or both of the moderate symptoms. In addition these symptoms may spread to other parts of the body.

Severe Allergy Symptoms or (Anaphylaxis) – Anaphylaxis is serious. It happens when the body sets off a “warning, warning, intruder alert signal.” The body’s response to the allergen is sudden and affects the entire body. This is the one that can be potentially life threatening if not taken care of correctly and immediately. The allergic symptoms may begin with a sudden swelling and or itching of the face and or eyes and within minutes symptoms can worsen instead of improving.

• The overall severe allergy symptoms include: varying degrees of swellings that can make swallowing and or breathing difficult. There may be cramps, abdominal pain involved, vomiting, diarrhea, and or mental confusion or dizziness.

Several people have food allergies that cause them to move rapidly into the severe allergy stage. This can be a dangerous place to be in because the allergic response can be marked by swelling hives that ultimately can become severe enough not only to cause difficulty in breathing, lowered blood pressure, and or dilated blood vessels. An individual can go into anaphylactic shock and if not treated immediately, it can be fatal.

Suggestions for Allergy Relief

Here are some of the home remedies that you can use for recovery

Neti Pot - It naturally cleanses, refreshes, and protects the nasal passages, one of our body's first lines of defense against illness.

Multi-Vitamins – Suggestions are that you should make taking multi-vitamins a part of your daily regimen for numerous reasons. Well, add assisting to help provide nutrients that can ease the sneeze to the list. Allergy symptoms occur when your body’s immune system overreacts to allergens in your environment. Vitamin C stops histamine, magnesium may ease breathing, and other nutrients help to protect mucous membranes.

Probiotics - Are live microorganisms (good bacteria and or yeasts) that have been found to improve the immune system. When administered in adequate amounts it confers a health benefit to anyone that takes them on a routine bases.

European herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus) - There’s a lot of buzz about this product now a days. The British Medical Journal, in 2002 published results of a study from a group of Swiss researchers that revealed just one tablet of butterbur four times daily was as effective as a popular antihistamine drug in controlling symptoms of hay fever. The greatest benefit was there was no traditional symptom of drowsiness that sometimes occurs with antihistamines. Butterbur leaves and root extracts are used to treat allergies, as well as bronchial asthma, headache, and pain.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) - This nettle is one of nature’s best nutraceuticals (combination of nutrition and pharmaceutical) containing vitamins A, C, D, and B complex, beta-carotene, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, and protein. The stinging comes from the presence of histamine on the hairs of the leaves and stems. An extract from the root of the nettle contains natural antihistamines and anti-inflammatory (including quercetin), that can open up constricted bronchial and nasal passages, helping to ease hay fever, and nose and or sinus type allergies symptoms. It acts as an astringent to mucous membranes. Use for chronic inflammations and excessive mucous discharge.

Indian Board of Alternative Medicines
80, Chowringhee Road
Calcutta - 700020
India
http://www.altmedworld.net

Uncommon Alternative Healing Techniques


CAM, or Complementary and Alternative Medicine is becoming more and more popular. As we seek less invasive and toxin-free medical care, many new healing therapies are being introduced. Some work independently and some are now used in conjunction with other medical practices.

Unlike TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), which is thousands of years old, these practices are relatively new but many have similar philosophies and are often based on the ancient therapies.

Following is list of 11 therapies with a brief description/and a separate list with titles only - for your information.

UNCOMMON THERAPIES

Vatsu: Also known as water therapy. This early form of aquatic body work combines muscle stretching, dance, massage and shiatsu - all done in a pool of warm water. Working in a warm water environment helps relieve muscle tension, joint compression, and allows a free fluid movement that would not be possible without the use of warm water.

Raindrop Technique: The techniques combines aromatherapy, reflexology, and massage. It is an 8-step process inspired by the Lakota First People. The aromatic oils are dropped onto the body from a height of 6 inches and then massaged into the back muscles. Oils are also used to perform reflexology on the feet.

Forgiveness Therapy (FT): In 1997, research done at the University of Wisconsin showed that forgiveness could be taught and yield positive results. This therapy has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of addictions.

Bioresonance Therapy (BRT): BRT uses the body's own electromagnetic frequencies to locate and then eliminate health problems. Using a BRT machine, healthy and unhealthy energies are measured in response to food, bacteria and toxins. The BRT machine is used around the world by dentists, doctors, and veterinarians.

Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD) aka Lymph Drainage Therapy (LDT): Created in the early 1930's by a Danish doctor, this therapy involves a series of massaging motions to help relieve chronic sinus congestion and immune disorders. It is also used to manage lymphedema (swelling of arms and legs due to lymphatic fluid accumulation).

Humor Therapy: "Laughter is the best medicine" - and research has shown this to be true. In addition to being an affordable therapy, it is considered a type of Psychoneuroimmunology. The New England Journal of Medicine published the Norman Cousins case study in 1979 where Cousins designed his own therapy to treat ankylosing spondylitis. Cousins found that 15 minutes of laughter could bring him 2 hours of pain-free sleep. Laughter is known to reduce blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, reduce stress hormones, and release the body's natural pain killers - endorphins.

Korean Chi Therapy: This therapy is based on traditional Chinese medicine, but instead of using needles, the therapy is done with sound energy. Using the 360 energy channels in the body, Korean Chi Therapy recognizes when energy flow is restricted - resulting in illness. Generally, the practitioner's fingertips move above the body but slight fingertip pressure may also be used.

Korean Hand Therapy (KHT): Uses acupuncture but only in the hand, to treat the whole body. For those afraid of needles other options are available.

Vega Test Method (VRT): VRT is also based on the principal of acupuncture but uses a machine to measure changes in skin conductivity. In VRT, the patient holds a device in one hand while a probe is placed on acupuncture points.

Therapeutic Eurythmy (TE): Often used to treat children with ADD or ADHD. It uses the principle of Eurythmy (harmonious rhythm). It is known as the 'art of visible speech and song' because it provides a physical element to the sounds of speech and music. In 1919, students in Germany were taught music, poetry and academic subjects using Eurythmy which showed improvements in coordination, and a sense of well-being.

Polarity Therapy: This therapy uses other energy-based processes. These include the ying-yang therapies of TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine), and the Three Principles and Five Chakras of Ayurvedic Medicine. To measure a client's energy, the practitioner uses palpitation, observation, and interview. Polarity touch can have a variety of intensity levels. The therapy is designed to decrease a client's fixation on negative people, things, and events which reduces ones flexibility, and ability to forgive.

Indian Board of Alternative Medicine
80, Chowringhee Road
Calcutta - 700020.
India
http://www.altmedworld.net



18th International Conference on Alternative Medicine - A Stounding Success


Indian Board of Alternative Medicine held its 18th International Conference, Convocation and Award Presentation Ceremony, on Complementary and Alternative Medicine, on 21st February 2010, at The Hotel Hindustan International, Kolkata, India.

The ceremony was Chaired by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Samir Kumar Mookherjee, Former Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court. Dr. Suresh Kumar Agarwal, President of Indian Board of Alternative Medicine, gave Welcome Speech. Special Guests of Honour listed various eminent personalities from through out the globe like, Mahatma Madam Chris Griscom (USA), Dr. Allan Sweeney (UK), Dr. Hassan Abdlhadi Fageih (Saudi Arabia), Dr. Guiseppe Anzillotte (Italy), Mr. Klemens Vogel (Germany), Prof. Dr. Eva Maria Vogel (Germany), Dr. Ramaiah Bandi (Malaysia), Dr. Monjurul Ahasan (Bangladesh), Dr. U San Tin Aung (Mayanmar) and many more. Swami Chetasanandaji Maharaj of Ramkrishna Mission Narendrapur, did the Inaugural Invocation. The occasion was studded with Gems of various fields like Rev. Bishop P. S. P. Raju, Former Bishop of Calcutta, Swami Chetasanandaji Maharaj, Padmashree Dr. Vijay Kumar Shah, Padmashree Dr. S. Raman, Munishree Manikumarji, Dr. S. P Singh, Dr. Sohan Raj Tater, Mrs. Jaya Biswas, Dr. Suman Shah, Swami Athma Chaitanyanandajee, Mr. Vinod Ramchandra Ghosalkar are few to name. Vote of Thanks was addressed by Dr. Mangal Tripathy.

Numbers of registered delegates were more than 500 including participants, speakers, patrons, awardees and advisors. Complete media coverage was done by many local and national electronic and print medias.

This event received blessings and best wishes from various Governors, Chief Ministers, Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, Foreign Embassies and High Commissions, WHO and other Non-Governmental Organizations and many other well wishers.

Indian Board of Alternative Medicine
80, Chowringhee Road
Kolkata - 700020
India
http://www.altmedworld.net


Indian Board of Alternative Medicine - Facebook

Indian Board of Alternative Medicine is now on facebook.

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Indian-Board-of-Alternative-Medicine/115756471775596

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