There are more than 50 million Americans who suffer from allergies. Although there are many over-the-counter as well as prescription medications shown to treat or prevent allergy symptoms, some people prefer the safer, healthier options offered by alternative medicines and therapies.

What Causes Allergies?

An allergic reaction is actually the result of an over-active immune system. Normally, things like pollen or peanuts, while detected by the immune system, are deemed harmless and allowed to pass through the body. But sometimes the immune system over-reacts and thinks that a common and harmless substance is a threat and responds by mounting a violent attack on the foreign object, often harming the body in the process.

Is There a Way to Prevent an Allergic Reaction?

While the best way to prevent an allergic reaction is by avoiding the allergen, it isn’t always possible. Those who suffer from “seasonal allergies”, better known as allergic rhinitis , have little hope of completely avoiding every little pollen grain and mold spore produced throughout the year.

Fortunately, there is a long list of alternative treatments that may eliminate or at least calm allergy symptoms.

Herbs & Dietary Supplements

Derived from plant sources, herbal remedies are some of the popular methods of alternative allergy treatment. Below is a list of common supplements:

• Grape seed extract: from grape seeds or skins, thought to have anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory properties
• Echinacea: herb of a ragweed family, believed to have anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties
• Bitter orange: natural substance found in citrus, bronchodilator
• Spirulina: algae that grows throughout the warmer climates of the world, anti-histamine
• Vitamin C: said to reduce congestion and runny nose if taken in 1000 – 4000 mg amounts daily

• Bromelain: enzyme derived from pineapples, anti-inflammatory properties
• Evening primrose: seed oil used to treat hives and rashes
• Pycnogenol: maritime pine tree extract, anti-inflammatory properties
• Country mallow: stimulant found in some plants, bronchodilator

Acupuncture and Acupressure

These ancient Chinese therapies have been claimed by many to effectively treat allergies and asthma. Acupuncture consists of stimulating certain points on the body by inserting thin, wire needles. Acupressure, on the other hand, consists of applying pressure with the fingers to these same points. IgE levels (an antibody used to measure the extent of an allergic reaction) were shown to decrease after undergoing each of these two procedures. Some people even reported using less of their allergy medication after the therapy.

Ayurvedic Medicine

Practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine believe that toxins build up in the body as the result of incomplete digestion and can cause the symptoms of allergies. They then work to remove these toxins through a regimen of fasting, diet rotating, and the taking of herbs. There is also a cleansing process that consists of a mixture of herbal massages, saunas, laxatives, and enemas.

Homeopathy

Homeopathy treatments are much like those involved in allergy shots, where the patient is exposed to small amounts of allergen in an attempt to build up a tolerance. Homeopathy differs from the standard allergy shot treatment, however, by administering the allergen in pill form as well as using extremely small amounts of the allergen.

For the many millions of allergy sufferers, treatment can be made simpler and safer by the use of the many alternative medicines and therapies available.

http://www.kidshealth.org/teen/diseases_conditions/allergies_immune/allergies.html
http://www.achooallergy.com/allergy-faqs.asp
http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/alternative-allergy-treatments.html?pageNum=3