Spring is arguably the most joyful of seasons. As we put the winter chills to rest and prepare for lazy days in the sun, there is nothing more refreshing that taking in a deep breath of fresh air – unless, that is, you are one of the nearly 18 million Americans who suffer from hay fever and other seasonal allergies.
So what can you do?
Downfalls of Treatment with Conventional Medicine
Most conventional doctors will tell you to take antihistamines to minimize allergic reactions. Alternatively, they may prescribe corticosteroids to reduce the swelling and inflammation that adds to your symptoms. However, these medications are not without their downsides.
Antihistamines can make you drowsy or excitable. Some people also experience nausea, dizziness, blurred vision, and even trouble urinating. These drugs are also dangerous for people with certain medical conditions or when combined with other medications such as antidepressants and alcohol. It is also possible to overdose or become physically dependent on antihistamines.
Corticosteroids, on the other hand, can cause weight gain, mood changes, skin problems, high blood pressure, and even osteoporosis – particularly when they are used over a long period. Many people also experience withdrawal symptoms when they stop taking these medications.
The Advantage of Treatment with Homeopathic Medications
Fortunately, there are safer options available. There are a number of homeopathic treatments that can alleviate the symptoms of allergies and hay fever without any of the nasty side effects common in other, more conventional medications. Two of the most popular homeopathic hay fever remedies are:
- Histaminium: You may be unable to take antihistamines because of a health condition or because they don’t mix with other medications you are taking. You may simply not like the side effects of antihistamine drugs. In any case, you can benefit from a homeopathic preparation made with histaminium hydrocloricum, which is a natural plant chemical that was originally found in soybean oil. Doses of histaminium alleviate the symptoms of hay fever and allergies including runny nose and itchy, watery eyes.
- Apis: A fantastic alternative to corticosteroids is a homeopathic preparation extracted from Apis Mellifica, or the honeybee. This medication has been shown to produce the same anti-inflammatory results as steroid medications without all the unnecessary, and sometimes risky, side effects. The authors of one clinical report even noted that “extremely diluted dynamized dilutions (3C, 5C and 7C) still exert significant effects on genes involved in inflammation and oxidative stress.”
Homeopathic medications are not limited to these two most popular options. There are a number of different medications available for the treatment of hay fever and allergies. Given the variety of factors that go into prescribing homeopathic remedies to patients, having a large number of choices readily available ensures that there is an optimum cure out there for everyone.
Dr. Michael Van Wassenhoven is a strong proponent of homeopathic remedies for allergies. He has studied the effects of a number of homeopathic drugs on in his patients and reported his findings in a variety of published papers. In one, he concluded, “for preventive treatments in hay fever patients, Arsenicum album was the most effective homeopathic medicine followed by Nux vomica, Pulsatilla pratensis, Gelsemium, Sarsaparilla, Silicea and Natrum muriaticum.”
How Will You Treat Your Hay Fever This Year?
The choice is yours. As long as the FDA does not successfully put an end to the availability of homeopathic medicine as we know it, you will have the option to choose a homeopathic cure as your sole source of symptom alleviation or as a supplement to the antihistamines and steroids recommended by your doctor.
That’s what it comes down to the in the end is choice. Given that homeopathic medicines are proven both safe and effective, and that they do not have any contraindications with other medications, they should remain readily available to those of us who rely on them. Be sure to contact the FDA to let them know that you want your homeopathic hay fever medications to remain readily available.
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