Welcome to Allergies articles category.

You can find informaion on Allergies articles and news.

Clinical Acupuncture Practice

Acupuncture needles used for clinical practice are special needles of fine diameter made of stainless steel and are not hollow. The needle has a thick bronze wire wound on its upper third and a handle for firm grip. Each acupuncture style has a unique insertion depth and type of needle used. The acupuncture point is heated with a process called moxicombustion.

Safety of Acupuncture

The acupuncture process is safe to perform if it’s done by a certified acupuncturist. Acupuncture therpists are now commonplace and you should be able to talk to him or her about your condition and any specific questions or queries you might have. The equipment is safe and clean. The needles used are pre sterilized and disposable. Thus they are safe to use and unlikely to transmit disease.

Complementary Therapy With Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be used as a complementary therapy for the following conditions:

Anxiety

Neuralgias

Migraines

Chronic pain

Arthritis

Bruxism

TMJ pain

Allergic rhinitis

A trained acupuncturist can also advise on other conditions where acupuncture may be of use and you should be able to discuss your particular case and concerns with him or her. Most, of not all, practitioners will be happy to discuss your requirements with them and they will not wish for you to part with any money until you are satisfied as to the process.

Acupuncture is a relatively safe, painless and without any notable side effects. Under an expert acupuncturist you can relieve your pain the Oriental way!

Allergies are one of the leading causes of diseases in USA. The annual amount spent on allergies in USA is $18 billion. Allergies could get complicated and even ruin a person’s life. Allergies generally mean over reaction or hyper sensitivity to a certain substance or product. The substance could make a person sneeze, wheeze or create rashes etc.

Allergies have also been linked to many respiratory diseases. Sinus, Asthma, Bronchitis are some diseases that are caused by allergies. Allergies can be managed by taking precautionary measures. Some allergic reactions can be very bad. Allergies can also be inherited like balding. Some people are allergic to specific allergens, some to soy, milk, fish etc. Like adults, children and infants are also allergic to certain substances. Cows milk allergy is very common in children. If a child is allergic to cows milk, as a substitute they are provided soymilk. More than 50% of children develop allergies to soymilk.

Allergies due to dust and pollution are very common nowadays. The dust particles enter the nose and make a person sneeze. It could also lead to other diseases like bronchitis and asthma. Allergies due to pollution, candle smoke, incense stick etc could create various upper respiratory problems. People with upper respiratory problems have itching in the throat and ear also. Breathing difficulty could also exist. At home, dust particles in the mattress, pillows etc could also lead to allergies. Even domestic cats and dogs hair could lead to allergies. Consult your physician if you are allergic to any substance immediately.

The third most common cause of allergies seen in cats and dogs is food allergies. Those allergies account for about 10% of all the allergies and is only preceded by flea bite allergies and atopy (inhalant allergies). By feeding their pets a lamb and rice diet, many pet owners feel that they are avoiding pet food allergies, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth!

According to the Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster and Smith,

“The entire process of a pet being sensitized to a particular agent in food and the complicated antibody response that occurs in the intestinal tract in pets with food allergies are not very well understood. Despite our lack of understanding of the actual disease process, there are many things that we do know including the symptoms, how to diagnose food allergies, and also how to treat them.”

Food allergies commonly occur between the ages of 2 to 6 years, but have been revealed as early as five months and as late as 11 to 12 years of age. Food allergies have an effect on all animals, whether they are male or female or neutered or intact, in the same way. They affect both cats and dogs. There has been no sturdy link among specific breeds and allergies. Coexisting inhalant allergies or contact allergies can be found in many animals with food allergies.

Food allergies should not be confused with food intolerances. There are differences between the two. Allergies normally cause such symptoms of itching and skin problems connected with canine and feline allergies. Whereas, food intolerances do not produce distinctive allergic response and normally result in diarrhea or vomiting. Similar to the response of diarrhea or an upset stomach people have when eat spicy or fried foods. If you feed your pet a diet free from the bad ingredients, you can get rid of food intolerances and allergies.

Do want to improve your dog’s health but you don’t know how? Well, here’s a tip a little birdy told me once…prepare meals at home for your dog! That’s right, treat them like they are part of the family.

In this article about the arthritis herb ginger, you will discover:

• What is ginger?
• Why is ginger a great arthritis herb?
• How much arthritis herb ginger to take to help with you?

What Is Ginger?The perennial plant ginger grows in the countries of south-east Asia.

The underground stem, the rhizome, is the part of ginger which is used for medicinal purposes.

The rhizome of ginger contains unique ingredients such as:

• Essential Oils
• Zingerone
• Gingerol

Ginger has beneficial health properties such as:

• Analgesic
• Antihistamine
• Anti-inflammatory
• Anti-nauseant

Apart from helping with the symptoms of arthritis, ginger can also help with the symptoms of the following health conditions:

• Motion Sickness
• Morning Sickness
• Indigestion
• Flatulence
• Diarrhoea
• Poor circulation
• Dizziness
• Headaches

Why Is Ginger A Great Arthritis Herb?Ginger has been used for centuries as an arthritis herb for rheumatism and arthritis because it has anti-inflammatory properties that help to reduce swelling and pain associated with arthritis.

How Much Of The Arthritis Herb Ginger, Do You Need To Take To Help With Your Arthritis?

It is best to take 255 mg of concentrated extract of ginger supplement twice a day to help with the symptoms of your arthritis.

Clinical trials have shown that by taking this amount for six weeks that the degree of arthritis pain was reduced and the condition improved.

So, to sum up…

Ginger has been used for centuries as an arthritis herb.

Ginger has unique beneficial health properties which can help the symptoms associated with arthritis.

Ginger is quiet safe to take, although some people do suffer from heartburn when consuming it.

Alternative medicine is a combined term used for various methods or practices of healing brought in practice by physicians or non-physicians, in addition to or apart from the conventional medicine. It is estimated that a little over 33% of the US population uses some form of alternative medicine that is mainly comprised of remedies derived from several different types of traditional and ethnic therapies. All of these therapies have diverse practice and/ or product based guidelines that are not a part of conventional Western medicine. This may include meditation, acupuncture, prayer, herbal supplements, chiropractors, massage therapy and other natural medicines.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has a separate division, called The National Center for Complimentary and Alternative Medicine, that looks into the research, ethical and validation and related issues of alternative medicine that is prevalent in the US.

A recent statistics from the NIH shows that as many as 36% of the American adult population relies on one or more forms of alternative medicine to ward off sickness or derive other health benefits. The study doesn’t limit the use of alternative medicine to this specific population and shows that women, college students, former smokers and people who have undergone previous hospitalization are also using alternative medicine practices. The sheer holistic nature of alternative medicine is what draws people to it, but despite its widespread use and popularity, it remains relatively understudied.

Some of the most widely used alternative therapies in the US include biologically based practices, mind-body medicine, manipulative and body-based practices, and alternative herbal medicine, Ayurveda, naturopathy, homeopathy and energy medicine.

IF YOU’RE ONE OF THE 26 MILLION PEOPLE nationwide with seasonal allergies, no doubt you’re suffering right now with sneezing, congestion, itchy eyes, and other frustrating symptoms that add up to pure hell.

Simply put, you’re suffering because your body is extra-sensitive. “Certain individuals’ immune systems overreact to external stimuli like pollen, grass, and ragweed,” says Ben Kligler, M.D., associate medical director of Beth Israel Hospital’s Continuum Center for Health and Healing in New York City. “When your immune system encounters an offensive particle, or allergen, it mounts a defensive response and releases a cascade of inflammation to fight it off.” Inflammation triggers most allergy symptoms.
But you’ll find relief right away with our three-step plan. Start with steps 1 and 2. If you’re still suffering after two to four weeks, move on to step 3.

Clear Your Congestion Fast

1 Mix 1 cup filtered lukewarm water with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Pour into a neti pot, pictured above.

2 Lean over a sink, Tilt your head to the left. Press the neti pot spout to your right nostril and tip the pot. Water should trickle out your left nostril.

3 Lower your head over the sink. Exhale forcefully through your nose. Repeat on the opposite side.

Step 1: Get Fast Relief

Try these therapies daily when you’re suffering from allergy symptoms. The first five therapies work quickly but their benefit is temporary. The remaining two provide longer-lasting relief.
Sample Spicy Foods. Eating hot foods clears nasal congestion temporarily. Use the Japanese condiment wasabi or sprinkle cayenne pepper on your food. Consider placing a small bowl of horseradish on your bedside table. A quick whiff in the night will help you breathe easier, says Sylvia Goldfarb, Ph.D., of Wyncote, Pa., author of Allergy Relief (Avery Penguin Putnam, 2000).

Sniff Essential Oils. Inhaling steam scented with essential oils clears your sinuses, Kligler says. Boil 1 quart of water in a medium-size pan, remove it from the heat, and add 10 drops of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) or eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus) essential oil. Stand over the pot and drape a towel over your head to create a tent. Breathe deeply for several minutes. When you’re in a hurry, Goldfarb says, add 2 to 3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil to a handkerchief, stash it in a small sealed bag, and take a whiff as needed during the day.

Know the Neti Pot. A neti pot rinses mucus and pollen grains from your nose and sinuses and soothes your mucous membranes. It resembles a palm-size Aladdin’s lamp and is found at most natural food stores. Fill the pot with a solution of 1 cup filtered lukewarm water and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Lean over a sink. Tilt your head to the left, press the spout to your right nostril to make a tight seal, and tip the pot. If your position is correct, water will trickle out your left nostril. Be patient; this can feel like getting water up your nose while swimming, and it takes a few tries to master. When the pot is empty, exhale forcefully through both nostrils. Repeat on the opposite side. Use the neti pot up to three times a day.

Spritz a Nasal Spray. As a convenient alternative to the neti pot, make a saline nasal spray, says Robert Ivker, D.O., a holistic physician in Littleton, Colo., a Natural Health advisory board member, and the author of Sinus Survival (Putnam, 2000). Combine 1/2 teaspoon salt, a pinch of baking soda, and 1 cup of lukewarm filtered water in a travel-size spray bottle. Close your left nostril and inhale as you spritz the solution directly into your right nostril. Repeat on the opposite side. Ivker also manufactures his own mixture, Sinus Survival Spray, which contains herbs that heal mucous membranes (1.75 fl. oz.; $7.95; 888-434-0033;www.sinussurvival.com).

Experiment with Acupressure. Using your fingers to apply pressure to specific points on your body can ease symptoms. You don’t necessarily press where it hurts; in fact, acupressure points on your hand can relieve sinus congestion. Pinch the webbing between your thumb and index finger and push toward the bottom knuckle of your index finger. Maintain pressure for two minutes while breathing deeply; repeat on the other hand.

Try an Herbal Antihistamine. The herb stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is believed to slow your body’s production of the inflammatory chemical histamine, but without dry mouth and the other side effects of prescription antihistamines. Take two 300 mg capsules of freeze-dried stinging nettle daily from the onset of symptoms to the end of allergy season, Kligler says.

Opt for Homeopathy. This system of medicine uses highly diluted substances from plants, animals, or minerals that in larger doses could cause the very symptoms they treat. For example, Allium cepa, a remedy made from onions, treats hay fever, an ailment that resembles the symptoms of someone peeling an onion, says Jennifer Jacobs, M.D., M.P.H., an Edmonds, Wash.-based family physician, homeopath, and member of the Natural Health advisory board. Try Allium cepa first. (Find homeopathic remedies at natural food stores and follow package dosage instructions, Jacobs says.) If it doesn’t reduce your symptoms in about a day, try Euphrasia officinalis (if your eyes burn, itch, or water) or Nux vomica (if your symptoms are worse in the morning and when you’re indoors, and if your nose is stuffy at night).

CAN I FIGHT allergies NATURALLY?

Q:

It’s April, and I’m bracing myself for allergy season. Why does pollen make my nose run and eyes itch? Are there any nature-made ways to prevent allergy attacks?

A:

For more than 18 million adults and 7 million children, the arrival of itchy eyes, runny noses and headaches means hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis or seasonal allergies, is here. (Hay fever is actually a bit of a misnomer, because neither hay nor fevers are commonly involved.) Allergies are on the rise in Western countries, though for reasons not fully understood.
Allergic tendencies can be hereditary, but seasonal allergies may also stem from a weakened immune system. People’s immune systems react differently when it comes to pollen. In some people, pollen causes no problem at all, but in others it triggers a rise in histamine, a protective substance released by the immune system when it mistakes everyday pollen for something harmful and goes into overdrive. It’s the flood of histamine that sets off the miserable drippy, sneezy, itchy symptoms that make people instantly reach for an antihistamine. But these drugs can have side effects (for instance, some may cause drowsiness, headaches, nausea and dry eyes). Besides, we think prevention is always better than treatment, so the best plan is to strengthen your immune defenses before allergies begin.
Prevention starts with a healthy lifestyle. Inadequate nutrition, exercise or rest can weaken the immune system and worsen allergic reactions. So can stress. Eliminating foods and behaviors that challenge your system can help strengthen your immunity before allergies begin. For everyone, that means avoiding fried foods, saturated fats, tobacco and excess sugars. In addition, if there are any specific foods you’re even somewhat sensitive to–red wine, peanuts, corn, cows’ milk, eggs and the gluten in wheat and rye are common offenders–be particularly careful to avoid them now.

Q:

Are there supplements that can help?

A:

We often recommend Astragalus membranaceus. More research is needed, but preliminary studies show promising immune-enhancing activity. We suggest trying 3 to 5ml of an astragalus tincture three times per day, starting about two weeks before hay fever season–or as soon as you realize it’s here–and continuing in a two weeks on/two weeks off pattern until the season is over.

Q:

Can foods worsen allergies?

A:

In a way. About three-quarters of Americans who are sensitive to pollen are also allergic to ragweed, which grows throughout the United States. Ragweed belongs to the botanical family that includes chamomile and sunflowers, so people who are allergic to ragweed may also react to chamomile tea or sunflower seeds. Certain fruits and veggies (watermelon, banana, honeydew, cantaloupe, zucchini and cucumber) cross-react with ragweed pollen and can cause itchy, tingly feelings in the mouth. So during the six to eight weeks of hot, dry weather when ragweed peaks, watch what you eat.

Q:

If I get an allergy attack, are there any vitamins or herbs that can help ease the symptoms?

A:

There are a few that act similarly to antihistamines–without their possible side effects.

* Quercetin capsules are our top choice. This antioxidant inhibits the production and release of histamine. It’s found naturally in some foods, such as apples and onions. We suggest 1 to 2 grams daily, taken in two to four doses spread out over the day.

* Vitamin C helps lower histamine levels. It’s readily available in red, orange and yellow fruits and vegetables, as well as dark leafy greens. Typical anti-allergy doses start at 1 to 3 grams daily, but cut back if it causes diarrhea.

* Butterbur extract is as effective and less sedating than one commonly prescribed antihistamine, according to research published in the British Medical Journal in 2002. Choose butterbur extracts that are free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids–substances that can be toxic to the liver. Adult doses range from 50 to 100mg, taken twice daily with meals.

* Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) helps some of our patients, but again, more research is needed. Dried nettle leaf can be bought in capsules; a typical adult dose is 300mg daily.

All of these doses are for adults. For kids, we use Clark’s Rule, which states that the child’s weight in pounds should be divided by 150 to obtain the correct dosage. For example, a 50-lb. child would receive one-third of the adult dosage. But before beginning any new supplement regimen, consult your health care provider.

Q:

Are there any other alternative treatments? And what about exercising in allergy season–can it bring on attacks?

A:

There are other options for easing allergies–some people find acupuncture helpful–but our recommendations here are the most consistently effective.

As for exercise, it doesn’t seem to aggravate allergies. That said, avoid outdoor exercise until after 10 a.m., especially on hot, sunny days with light winds and no rain. But keep on moving–it will help you feel better overall!

For years, Barbara Rosvold dreaded the coming of fall. While many people rejoiced at the end of the hot, muggy Maryland summer, Ms. Rosvold, 51, of Middletown, MD, cringed, for she knew that with the autumn colors came ragweed pollen–and the accompanying stuffy nose, itchy eyes and congestion of seasonal allergies. Even taking medication didn’t help; although it eliminated the allergic symptoms, it left her tired and fuzzyheaded, a condition nearly as bad as the sneezing and stuffiness.
Ms. Rosvold is just one of an estimated 35 to 50 million Americans (1)–20 percent of the population–who suffer from seasonal allergic rhinitis or seasonal allergies. Overall, as many as 60 million Americans, or one in every five adults and children, have some form of allergy, which is the sixth leading chronic disease in the country. (1) The disease is far from just a minor inconvenience. Allergic rhinitis cost the United States $3.4 billion in 1993, of which $2.3 billion represents medications and $1.1 billion physician billing. Allergic rhinitis is gender neutral, affecting women at the same rate as men. (2) It’s also species neutral: even dogs get allergies!
One worrisome trend is that the incidence of allergies and asthma–a complication of allergies–appears to be on the rise. Increased airborne pollutants, rising levels of indoor allergens due to better and tighter construction methods, poor ventilation (3) and even a growing insistence to be “too clean,” the so-called hygiene hypothesis, are all possible causes. The hygiene theory holds that the infections you’re exposed to as a child help your immune system “learn” how to behave; too little exposure, and it goes overboard when it encounters anything foreign, even normally harmless antigens, says Dean D. Metcalfe, MD, chief of the Laboratory of Allergic Diseases at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) at the National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD.

What’s An Allergy?

An allergy is a reaction of your immune system–your body’s defense against invading agents such as bacteria and viruses–to normally harmless substances that don’t cause problems for most people. These substances, which include pet dander, certain foods, molds and pollens, cause a false alarm reaction because your immune system treats them as invaders, generating large amounts of the disease-fighting protein immunoglobulin E, or IgE, a type of antibody. (2)

If you’re allergy-prone, the first time you’re exposed to an allergen, you begin to make large amounts of the corresponding IgE antibody. These IgE molecules attach to the surfaces of mast cells (in tissue) or basophils (in circulation). Mast cells are particularly plentiful in the lungs, skin, tongue and lining of the nose and intestinal tract, places where the outside of your body meets the inside, notes Dr. Metcalfe. “This activates the mast cells, and they spit out chemicals (including histamine, cytokines and leukotrienes) that go out into your tissues and cause the allergic response,” he explains. That’s the wheezing, sneezing, runny eyes and itching that are the hallmarks of allergies.

Blame Your Genes

Allergies can develop at any age, although heredity plays a key role in who develops them, (1) with genetic studies finding that 25 to 50 percent of children who have one allergic parent develop allergic rhinitis, asthma or both. While we don’t “grow out” of allergies, they may decrease or go into temporary remission. (4)

But additional causes are under investigation. One study found that the age at which your mother began menstruating could affect whether or nor you have allergies. Researchers theorize that differences in a woman’s estrogen levels–which play a role in the start of menstruation–somehow “programs” the fetus’ immune system. (5) Another study found a correlation between complications during pregnancy (hemorrhage, preterm contractions, restricted growth of the uterus and insufficient placenta), the development of a child’s immune and respiratory systems and an increased risk of asthma and allergic disorders. (6)

But a genetic predisposition is just part of the equation. You also need an environmental trigger–the allergen itself. Together, the two react like a lighted match on gasoline. For instance, says Dr. Metcalfe, you might be genetically predisposed to a birch pollen allergy. But, if you live in the Arizona desert, you’ll never be exposed to birch pollen. Move to Scandinavia, however, and you may want to invest in a truckload of tissues.

Allergies as You Age

Marsha Shapiro, 35, grew up on the coast of Virginia and never suffered from allergies until she moved to Atlanta, GA, at age 22. During her first four falls and springs in the southern city, she experienced numerous sinus infections. Finally, her health care professional recognized a pattern. “You’re allergic,” he told her, and prescribed a steroidal nose spray and a prescription antihistamine. The sinus infections disappeared.

Pollen — spring’s “golden dust,” Hal Borland of The New York Times liked to call it-can be one of the glories of nature. So small it “dances in the sunbeams,” Borland wrote, pollen billows this time of year from the woodlands, settling on front porches and windowpanes to give everything it touches a sulfur-yellow glint.

Pollen’s effect on the eyes, ears, nasal passages, lungs and even skin, however, is not so pleasant. From April on, one in every four Americans suffers from the sneezes, snuffles and itchiness of hay fever — the catchall term for a range of allergic diseases, the most common of which is allergic rhinitis. An allergy is the acquired potential to develop adverse reactions to otherwise innocuous substances, called allergens. Besides pollen, these allergens can also include mold spores, dust and foods.
Fortunately, natural remedies exist that can spare you the sometimes-harmful side effects of many over-the-counter treatments. To pick the right one for you, it helps to have some understanding of how allergies develop. When allergens enter the body, usually through inhalation, the immune system reacts by releasing chemicals called histamines. These histamines are the body’s SWAT team, with one mission and one mission only: to overwhelm pollen, mold, dust and other substances the body interprets as enemies.

Histamines can trigger a chemical reaction that can result in uncomfortable inflammation of the lungs, mucous membranes and sometimes skin. To the common sufferer, that means coughing, sneezing, wheezing, itchy eyes, runny nose and, most debilitating of all, persistent fatigue. For the unfortunate few, ear infections, sinusitis and asthma follow.
With almost 50 million Americans suffering from allergies, pharmaceutical companies have responded to the demand for relief with a variety of over-the-counter and prescription medications. These medications are designed to treat allergy symptoms only, however, not underlying causes. Even the most effective over-the-counter products may stop your nose from running for a few hours. But when the medication wears off, the symptoms can return, often with greater severity.

Some medications also carry worrisome side effects. Over-the-counter and prescription-only products make some users drowsy and give others the jitters. Some users say the pharmaceuticals give them “brain fog.”

Research conducted by the University of Iowa in Iowa City seems to support the conclusion that use of two common antihistamines — diphenhydramine and fexofenadine — can impair the performance of routine duties. The research, reported in the March 2001 Annals of Internal Medicine, found that the driving abilities of subjects who had taken diphenhydramine were more impaired than those who were given alcohol. Subjects who took fexofenadine performed better but still faced problems handling basic tasks necessary for safe driving.

Given these drawbacks, it’s no surprise that many people turn to herbs, supplements and other, more natural means of resisting seasonal allergies. Natural remedies take one of two forms, either immune stimulators or symptom relievers. Two of the most popular immune stimulators are probiotics and CoQ10: Probiotics are “friendly” bacteria, such as Lactobaccillus acidophilus, that live in our intestines and are essential for the maintenance of strong immune systems.

“Probiotics are very important for both good health and fighting hay fever,” says Allan Magaziner, a doctor of osteopathy and author of The Total Health Handbook. “They nourish the gastrointestinal track, where the immune system is located.”

Many people assume that natural yogurt should be a rich source of probiotics, but there’s some debate about whether it contains enough living organisms to be helpful. For that reason, hay fever sufferers should rely on refrigerated probiotic supplements like DDS-Plus or Primadophilus. Two or three daily doses of one billion to three billion colony-forming units (CFUs) of bacteria should help build up your immune system.

Better known as a nutrient for the heart, CoQ10 might seem an unlikely allergy fighter. But it also is a powerful antioxidant that has shown an ability to boost the immune system — making it a favorite remedy for seasonal allergies. Take 30 milligrams (mg) two or three times daily. But be patient. Building up the immune system doesn’t happen overnight. In the meantime, a number of other natural options can relieve your sniffles, sneezes, watery eyes and itching.

Vitamin C This well-known antioxidant is a natural antihistamine that can stimulate infection-fighting white blood cells. Because vitamin C is water-soluble and cannot be stored in the body, it should be taken at least three times a day in doses of 250 mg or more. A buffered supplement should reduce the likelihood of stomach irritation.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica). A woodland perennial from the Pacific Northwest, stinging nettle can help relieve allergy sneezing, eye irritation and other allergy symptoms by reducing inflammation, as a 1990 double-blind study reported in Planta Medica (vol. 56) demonstrated.

A synergy blend of essential oils is often more effective for helping to promote symptomatic relief and healing than any single essential oil. The best pure essential oils to use in synergy for allergy relief and why, include: Blue Tansy, Spikenard, Rosemary and Lemongrass.

BLUE TANSY (Tanacetum anuum ~ Moroccan Blue Chamomile) - Blue Tansy’s delightful scent is warmly herbaceous with a complex sweetness that to me is reminiscent of apples with a hint of spice.

Everyone invariably loves the friendly and inviting scent of Blue Tansy!

Blue Tansy is a natural antihistamine with anti-allergic properties. Research shows Blue Tansy to be especially effective for allergy relief. It is often used in blends for asthma and emphysema due to its bronchio-dilating effect.

Its strong analgesic properties help reduce any swelling or itching associated with allergies and its rapid anti-inflammatory action immediately calms your nervous system.

SPIKENARD ( Nardostachys jatamansi ) - A tranquilizer and relative of valerian Narde has the most powerful sedative action in aromatherapy and is helpful for calming the mind and easing anxiety and stress.

Spikenard’s sedative action helps calm allergic reactions and reduces inflammation of tissues. Its regulating action may help promote respiration for freer, easier breathing.

ROSEMARY, Cineole ( Rosmarinus Officinalis ct. cineole ) - A fresh, clean, powerful and herbaceous aroma that’s reminiscent of Eucalyptus. Rosemary cineole’s fragrance is strongly penetrating to the senses.

Rosemary Cineole stimulates blood circulation, has a clearing and energizing effect when inhaled and is helpful for treating respiratory conditions, including allergies.

Inhalation of Rosemary in moderation will clear blocked sinus and relieve stuffy nose and sinus congestion.

LEMONGRASS ( Cymbopogon citratus ) - A pleasant, fresh lemon aroma Lemongrass has a regulating and tonic action on the body. Its vasodilating, anti-inflammatory, and sedative properties help relieve congestion, promote freer, easier breathing and relieve inflamed bronchial tubes and sinus passageways.

PLEASE NOTE: There are many cheap, synthetic copies of aromatic oils, but these are not recommended for therapeutic use. For best results purchase the highest quality oils you can possibly find. Use certified organic essential oils, or oils that have been tested and are pesticide free.

Holistic MindBody Therapy, including pure essential oils, are gentle, noninvasive complementary forms of health care for balancing and synchronizing your body, mind and spirit and a natural, safe and effective way to enhance your health and well-being. Holistic health care may produce satisfying results where other methods have failed. Please consult with your physician regarding serious health concerns and do not attempt to self diagnose.