Six Strategies to Stop Spring Allergies

Halt sinus, throat, and respiratory tract symptoms naturally and effectively.
Seasonal allergies are not only downright annoying, they are becoming a serious health concern. Ranked as the 6^th  leading cause of chronic disease in our country, allergy-induced disease and their secondary health issues are nothing to sneeze about anymore.
Stats now indicate that some 50 million Americans are affected with hay fever and allergy-induced inflamed sinuses, runny nose, itchy eyes, coughing, and dry, irritated throats. Many individuals can go on to develop sinus infections, bronchitis, asthma, and middle ear infections when their mucous membranes are under constant assault.
Here’s my personal Rx for proactively tackling symptoms before they develop into more serious maladies:

1. Use a daily sinus rinse. Mix ½ teaspoon salt and ½ teaspoon baking soda in an 8 ounce nasal squirt bottle. Rinsing away mucus can help sinus sufferers get relief in about two weeks.
2. Spray away pathogens. Boost immunity with powerful herbal fighters like echinacea and Osha Root. For a dry, irritated or sore throat and post nasal drip, consider a product like Everyday Throat Spray. It contains an arsenal of immune boosters like echinacea and Osha Root. While echinacea is a well known “natural antibiotic,” Osha Root has impressive antibacterial and anti viral properties which help relax smooth muscles, aiding both asthmatic breathing challenges and coughs. The colloidal silver component helps to kill pathogens in the mouth and gums while licorice and peppermint are both soothing and flavorful. I personally use this product every time I travel and recommend its daily use for both children and adults.
3. Skip the alcohol. Drinking during allergy season can create swelling of the sinus and nasal membranes. No more nightcaps for a while.
4. Sniff essential oils. I always recommend a bit of eucalyptus sprinkled on a tissue that you place under your nose.
5. Defend against pollen. Before bed, shower and wash your hair because hair is a prime hiding place for pollen to collect. Change your clothes after being outside on high pollen count days and stay indoors on windy days.
6. Support your adrenal glands – your system’s fight or flight center for stress control. Allergies, as well as hypoglycemia, fatigue, bags under your eyes, repeated stress of any type, and negative belief systems are all signs of adrenal burnout. It can be remedied over time with simple but consistent lifestyle changes.  Keep in mind that recurring respiratory infections are one of the most burdensome toxic loads on your adrenals so addressing severe or chronic infection like sinusitis, bronchitis or pneumonia is key to overcoming adrenal fatigue. Just about all forms of respiratory illness go hand in hand with low adrenal function.

Perhaps the least expensive thing that you can do in this regard is put sleep on the top of your “to do” list. Lack of rejuvenating, growth-hormone producing sleep is a major roadblock to complete adrenal recovery and is common with individuals who show both high and low cortisol levels. Getting in bed by 9:30 pm so that it’s “lights out” by 10 pm is ideal, as well as the faithful supplementation of an adrenal fatigue supplement at 7 am, 11 am, and 3 pm. Eating breakfast before 10 am, reducing caffeine, sugar, processed carbs, and emphasizing protein at every meal and a protein-rich bedtime snack is key to helping you recoup your energy, vitality, and enhance immune resistance during allergy season.
-Edge On Health, Dr. Ann Louise Gittleman