Allergies are high sensitivities to usually harmless substances. There are multiple types of
allergies, and people can develop them throughout their life. Many people are allergic to various foods and food components, such as gluten or lactose, or to pollen, dust, mold, or chemicals. Some of these
allergies affect sufferers only in childhood or during a specific season.
Alternative medicine offers various ways for a person to cope with allergic symptoms, other than the traditional medical treatment and medications. Some of these treatments are
acupuncture,
acupressure,
homeopathy, chiropractic care,
NAET (Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques), EPD (enzyme potentiated desensitization), nutritional medicine,
functional medicine,
botanical medicine, and
reflexology.
An allergy develops when the immune system responds defensively to a substance that is normally harmless. Cells release histamine, which can cause reactions such as sneezing,
wheezing,
vomiting, and
rashes. In severe cases, anaphylactic shock develops, causing
swelling that can block the airway and lead to heart failure. Eating a wide variety of foods can help the body handle allergens.
Recommended vitamins:
Recommended minerals:
Recommended nutrients:
Foods to choose:
- Organic honey
- Fresh fruit and vegetables
- Wheat germ
- Sardines (with bones, for extra calcium)
- Garlic and onions
- Sunflower seeds
Foods to avoid:
- Milk and other dairy products during attacks, as they encourage mucus formation in the airways
- Foods that are known as allergens for many other people, such as strawberries, shellfish, tomatoes, chocolate, eggs, wheat, milk, and nuts
