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Topics Fitness Food Health Natural Pamper Special Style Events Medical Directory Reader's Picks RSS Info About OHL Advertise Archive Photos Return to Mail Tribune NEWS NOW Oregon shooter showed little sympathy in calculated killings GOSIA WOZNIACKA, Associated Press BRIAN MELLEY, Associated Press Read Oregon shooter » Our View: Gun lobby's influence exceeds its support Read Our View: Gun» County no longer will provide free storage for Storytelling Guild By Tammy Asnicar for the Mail Tribune Read County no» Oregon shooter showed little sympathy in calculated killings GOSIA WOZNIACKA, Associated Press BRIAN MELLEY, Associated Press Read Oregon shooter » Our View: Gun lobby's influence exceeds its support Read Our View: Gun» County no longer will provide free storage for Storytelling Guild By Tammy Asnicar for the Mail Tribune Read County no» Breathe Easy — Naturally Prescription and over-the-counter medicines aren't the only options for relieving allergy symptoms. Oh, the dilemma of the allergy sufferer: Take medication to treat symptoms and get relief, but spend the day in a fog? Or forgo treatment and continue to suffer? Luckily, there's a third option: natural remedies including some foods, herbs and other supplements, and acupuncture. Comment By TEXT BY MARGARET BATTISTELLI GARDNER MailTribune.com By TEXT BY MARGARET BATTISTELLI GARDNER Posted Mar. 3, 2014 at 2:00 AM Updated Mar 3, 2014 at 12:16 PM By TEXT BY MARGARET BATTISTELLI GARDNER Posted Mar. 3, 2014 at 2:00 AM Updated Mar 3, 2014 at 12:16 PM The Best Defense is a Good Offense --> Dr. Lissa McNiel advises that the best way to treat allergy symptoms it to stop them before they start. To do that, it's essential to find out what it is you're allergic to and then avoid it as muc... » Read more X The Best Defense is a Good Offense Dr. Lissa McNiel advises that the best way to treat allergy symptoms it to stop them before they start. To do that, it's essential to find out what it is you're allergic to and then avoid it as much as possible. "If you're suffering for more than two weeks a year, have an allergy panel done for both food and environmental allergies, either by an alternative healthcare provider or a medical doctor," she says. McNiel points out that many people often mistake what it is they're allergic to. For example, if you pick up a cat and sneeze, you might assume you're allergic to the cat. But the sneeze could have been triggered by dust that was on the cat's fur. Or by the litter it was digging in. Once you have the allergens identified, reduce exposure to your triggers. A HEPA filter in the bedroom, for example, can help you breathe easier and get better rest. » Social News Oh, the dilemma of the allergy sufferer: Take medication to treat symptoms and get relief, but spend the day in a fog? Or forgo treatment and continue to suffer? Luckily, there's a third option: natural remedies including some foods, herbs and other supplements, and acupuncture. The supplement complement Dr. Lissa McNiel, naturopathic physician at Arbora Natural Medicine Solutions in Medford, says herbs and vitamins are especially effective in mild to moderate cases and rarely have side effects if used correctly. "You have to take them more regularly because they don't work the same way as drugs," McNiel says. "They're more like food. They don't build up in the body. They work on the inflammatory response rather than directly on histamine receptors." McNiel made the following recommendations: Vitamins B3, B6, B12, K and D3. Butterbur, a member of the daisy family that can block chemicals that trigger swelling in the nasal passages. Quercetin, which helps block the release of histamines that cause inflammation. Stinging nettle, which contains carotene, vitamin K and quercetin, and can reduce distress if taken at the first indication of symptoms. Bromelain, which can reduce nasal swelling and thin mucus. Always consult a health care practitioner before taking supplements. Even though herbs and supplements are natural, McNiel advises to use them with caution. (It's dangerous to eat raw, unprocessed butterbur root, for example.) Seeing a naturopathic physician is your best bet, she advises. Natural supplements are usually available in capsule, tablet or liquid form, and it takes guidance to know which is best for you. From nettle to needles Another solution is acupuncture. For short-term relief of symptoms, needles and herbs can be used to quickly clear out sinuses, according to Owen Jurling, a licensed acupuncturist at Healing Point Acupuncture in Jacksonville. Addressing the causes of allergies takes a bit longer. The practitioner asks a series of questions to pinpoint which organs and systems in the body are overactive, weak or otherwise out of balance. "Once we understand that, we use acupuncture, herbs and other techniques — stress relief, yoga, tai chi, nutrition — to strengthen those systems that are weak, calm down ones that are overactive," he explains. "When allergy season comes back, the immune system is better able to withstand attacks from allergies." Acupuncture is becoming more widely accepted, Jurling says, and is often easier to get patients to try than herbs. Many people, he said, don't understand how potent herbs can be or how relaxation techniques and proper nutrition can help with allergies. "Acupuncture can be very helpful and has very few side effects," he says, adding that it can include the possibility of some discomfort and bruising. "But the patient is going to have to take responsibility for looking at their diet and following the treatment plan. If they do, things can be greatly improved." Healing through nutrition While there isn't a lot of conclusive evidence that certain foods can calm allergy symptoms, there are a few that show at least some degree of effectiveness in both relieving them and warding off allergies altogether. Among them are fish and nuts for omega 3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation; apples for vitamin C and quercetin, which helps block the release of histamines that cause inflammation; red grapes for antioxidants; and warm liquids like hot tea or broth to clear sinuses. Regularly eating raw, local honey can help build immunity to allergens specific to the area where you live. It acts as a vaccination, slowly exposing the body to the local allergens that result as bees traipse from flower to flower and produce honey from the nectar they collect. By TEXT BY MARGARET BATTISTELLI GARDNER MailTribune.com By TEXT BY MARGARET BATTISTELLI GARDNER Posted Mar. 3, 2014 at 2:00 AM Updated Mar 3, 2014 at 12:16 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction Archive Terms of Use Privacy Policy Contact Us Advertise Careers Copyright © . Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Southern Oregon Media Group: Mail Tribune.com | Ashland Daily Tidings | Medford Nickel