Are You Living With An Allergy? Did You Know Herbal Medicine Is A Powerful Antidote?

According to Allergy UK, as UK based charity “An allergy is the response of the body’s immune system to normally harmless substances, such as pollens, foods, and house dust mite”.  

For the majority of people, the allergens pass them by and cause no problem. 

For those who have an allergic response to a particular allergen, this is a complex response where their body goes on the attack to see off the intruder.  

This can take the form of excessive itching, up to in the most severe cases anaphylactic where the body’s defense is to close the airways, as the body releases histamine to combat the intruder. The body attacks itself and this can lead to hospitalization and on occasions death. 

Allergy UK states, The most common causes of allergic reactions are: 

• Pollen from trees and grasses
• Proteins secreted from house dust mites
• Molds
• Foods such as peanuts, tree nuts, milk and eggs
• Pets such as cats and dogs, and other furry or hairy animals such as horses, rabbits and guinea pigs
•  Insects such as wasps and bees

Medicines (these may cause reactions by binding to proteins in the blood, which then trigger the reaction). 

Conventional medicine advocates the use of an EpiPen in extreme circumstances and if you would like more information on these; I suggest you refer to this article on WebMD online, https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-20017/epipen-injection/details. 

Being a complementary therapist, I believe prevention is the best approach and advocate creating a strategy for keeping yourself safe. You can avoid many of the allergens by not having them in your world, For example, if Animal dander is a problem for you don't keep pets. 

Regular hoover down beds and ensure that all bedding is washed regularly on a steam wash at 140F will kill all dust mites.  Spray your bed with a mix of Clove, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Peppermint, and Rosemary essential oils. Three drops of each in a water-filled spray bottle. Allow the bed to dry before putting bedclothes back on. 

March is the time to prepare for hay fever season. The way I do this with my patients is to ensure that they are upping their levels of natural antihistamines by eating fruit such as fresh.  It's full of bromelain, a natural anti-inflammatory, taking fresh ginger tea, also an anti-inflammatory taking a supplement of quercetin. 

Ingesting bee pollen which is pollen collected by the bees that is coated with their natural antiseptic and the fact that you ingest pollen in a digestible way builds your immunity for hay fever season. I suggest that my patients sprinkle it on their breakfast cereal or salads. It has a sweet taste and is so easy to take.

Make your own hay fever tea:

- Eyebright leaf 25g 

- Echinacea      25g 

- Bee pollen      25g 

- Nettle              25g 

Total 100g

Blend together and store in an air-tight tin. Add a heaped teaspoon to a reusable cotton tea bag, or put it into a cafeteria. 

Let the tea steep for at least three mins before drinking. In summer make up the same way and chill in the fridge for a refreshingly effective, hay fever remedy. 

For those of you who are allergic to bee and wasp stings and virtually any biting, flying creature, do make up this simple lotion and apply it before you go out from spring onwards. It's suitable for all the family. 

Insect repellent: 

Pick four essential oils from the list below and add 10-25 drops to 2 tablespoons of a carrier such as Avocado oil, wheat germ, or plain olive oil.  

Be aware of any allergies in the users.   

Blend in a small spray bottle and apply before leaving the house and every two hours. 

My Bio:

I am Marie Mulcahy BSC, western herbal medicine, Mental Health First Aider, and holistic therapist. I am based in the UK and consult online or in-person in the North West of England. 

 I originate from Ireland and have a long lineage of female healers and herbalists. We can trace our roots back to Brian Boru the first High King of Ireland. 

I work with most health conditions and blend all my skills to treat my patients.  

For example, a consultation could lead to a prescription of an herbal tea and or a tincture for a chronic condition such as Irritable bowel syndrome and I could include a flower remedy to shift long-standing trauma, that is causing high levels of anxiety that is causing the gut distress.