Hi ! If you're like millions of people around the country plagued with seasonal allergies, the return of summer can literally bring tears to your eyes.

Instead of being outdoors and smelling the roses, allergy sufferers have already retreated indoors to battle a war of sneezing fits, scratchy eyes, runny noses and the dreaded post-nasal drip.

The culprit, commonly known as hay fever, attacks when your body's immune system over-reacts to dust, pollens, grasses and other allergens in the air.

Traditionally, people with seasonal allergies have sought temporary relief from over-the-counter medications in the form of antihistamines, decongestants and nasal sprays. But chronic sufferers have become all too aware that allergy medicines can cause annoying and sometimes even dangerous side effects.

There are other effective healing approaches such as medicinal herbs that are available, and in general, are much safer with fewer side effects.

The herbal method in treating allergies involves naturally strengthening the immune system, providing support for the adrenal glands and using the right combination of herbs .So if you're sick and tired of your allergies, fed up with annoying side effects that can rival the allergies themselves ,check out these natural remedies and get on the road to healing.

First, let’s look at a natural approach that is based on Chinese medicine philosophy. It’s a natural juice fasting method that is a blood purification and cleansing diet to promote a strong immune system and good digestion. Health experts recommend a juice using raw carrots, celery and apple juice.

Magnesium-rich foods are also believed to help prevent allergies. lima beans, white and red beans, millet, or bananas. You can add sprouts, green, leafy vegetables, root vegetables, and yellow fruit and vegetables to the diet and occasionally eat brown rice.

Studies show that vitamins, minerals and herbs enhance the immune system without weakening the body's defences in the long term.

Here are just a few examples :

Vitamin C - a natural antihistamine, improves adrenal functionGrape seed extract - an immune boosterMagnesium - relieves brochospasmVitamin B12 - reduces inflammatory responseVitamin A - an anti-inflammatory, improves immune system

There are even more effective medicinal herbs not included in this article, for hay fever, eczema and other allergies, check out my ebook “ How to Blast Your Allergies Away Forever ! “You can check it out here http://www.thenaturalremedies.com/

Allergy Relief - How to fortify your immune system

Intruder alert! Intruder alert! Unknown attacker has breached the perimeter.

Histamines, the foot soldiers of your body's immune system, rush to the front lines, desperate to keep you safe. They gather in your throat, tightening its muscles in order to block entry. They gather in your eyes, trying to wash the intruder away in a flood of tears. And they gather in your sinuses, prepared to forcibly expel the attacker with a tremendous sneeze.

Your body doesn't understand that this is a false alarm. Harmless substances such as pet dander, dust, and pollen are viewed as a threat because you have an immune system disorder. Your body is being maddeningly overprotective.

This overprotective dynamic is created because your immune system is weak and therefore feels vulnerable.

You need to strengthen your immune system to, in essence, build its confidence. Once it's confident, your immune system will be better equipped to take those allergens in stride. The allergens will become more of an annoyance than a full-blown threat. The histamine foot soldiers will always be at the ready - - but you can take them out of red alert status.

Top tips for natural ways of strengthening your immune system:

Get plenty of vitamin C. Our bodies can't produce vitamin C on their own, and yet, we rely on this hardworking vitamin to stimulate the production of the white blood cells that are so vital in our fight against disease. That means we have to get our vitamin C from dietary sources such as citrus fruits, melons, tomatoes, and leafy green vegetables.

Exercise regularly, doing something you enjoy. You don't have to go out and run a marathon .

You don't have to lift weights . Do something fun, and do it often.

Sleep 7-9 hours per night. In today's rush-rush world, a full night of sleep is a rare and precious commodity for many people. Allergy sufferers in particular should prioritize sleep for its rejuvenating properties. Think you're on edge if you haven't gotten enough sleep? Imagine how that histamine foot soldier on the front line feels. Trigger happy, ready to jump at the slightest shadow.

Drink lots of water. In addition to keeping your body lubricated, water literally flushes impurities out of your system. That means there's less work for your immune system to do, and a relaxed immune system is a healthy immune system.

Diet Tips for Hay Fever

Your diet may hold the key

There is evidence that your diet may hold the key to hay fever in considerably easing the symptoms.

Diet can have a huge effect on your body’s ability to combat and deal with hay fever.

Lets take a look at some of them :

Nutrition :

To reduce allergy symptoms, eat a moderately low-fat, high-complex-carbohydrate diet.

Include a lot of the following foods in the diet:

Dark green, leafy vegetables
Deep yellow and orange vegetables
Nettles, bamboo shoots, cabbage, beet tops, beets, carrots, yams
Onions, garlic, ginger, cayenne, horseradish

Carotenoids and Vitamin A Carotenoids

The substances in plants that give them the wonderful red, orange and yellow colors, can be converted in your body to Vitamin A an essential nutrient for the health of the respiratory system. They are also found in spinach, kale, and collard greens. Eat plenty of carrots, sweet potatoes, squash, tomatoes, apricots, mangoes and green leafy vegetables

Eat in abundance citrus fruits , first of all lemons.

You can make a lemonade

(squeezed lemon + water + honey) and drink in the morning first.

Or you can make the following lozenge: Chop up the peels and white inner rinds of organic lemons. Place in a pot and barely cover with water, simmer covered for ten minutes. Sweeten the mixture to taste with honey and eat one teaspoon 3 times a day.

Eat plenty of onion, garlic, pineapple, horseradish and local honey. Season with turmeric. Drink in abundance lemon, orange and pineapple juice. Increase your fluid intake to maintain the water content of the mucus membranes.

Supplements

Bioflavonoids (e.g., quercetin, catechin, and hesperidin) . Bioflavonoids are natural antihistamines and strongly anti-allergenic. Bromelain and vitamin C can enhance the action of bioflavonoids. Combination products are available.

• Flaxseed oil.

Other tips

With hay fever, you need to reduce the tendency for the body to form histamine by boosting your diet with foods rich in calcium, magnesium and flavonoids. Have loads of onions, cabbage, blackberries and apples, including their peel.

Large amounts of Vitamin C are useful - it's a natural anti-histamine, and quercetin [a yellow pigment found in plants] is helpful too. Quercetin appears to reduce the release of histamine from cells and is also believed to stabilise cell membranes so they are less reactive to allergens such as pollen.


FOODS TO EAT

Soya products (if you want to replace dairy).
Fish: high in omega 3 fatty acids which have an anti-inflammatory effect.
vegetables
fruits
Garlic and onion.
Fruit, honey, maple syrup, brown rice syrup or barley malt as sweeteners if required.
Beans, lentils and tofu.
Herbal teas.

Natural Remedies for the common Cold and Flu

The reasons many of us get winter colds and flu are numerous. Viruses causing most respiratory infections are always mutating, and our immune systems have trouble handling these ever-changing germs.

Viruses can survive on non-porous surfaces for hours. If you turn a door handle recently touched by a sneezing, sniffling person, then lift a hand to your nose, you’ve infected yourself. some respiratory viruses, notably influenza, become airborne when someone coughs. You only need to inhale three tiny viruses to become sick.

The symptoms are usually runny nose, sneezing, sore throat and cough.

Influenza is not as common as colds. Two main types of influenza viruses — A and B — cause most cases of the flu. Influenza viruses spread in the air and via direct contact. Flu symptoms are usually dramatic, with sudden onset of chills, fever and muscle aches. Nasal congestion may not be as marked, but the cough can take weeks or even months to resolve.

Another thing to consider is that the flu may cause a worsening of underlying chronic medical conditions.

There are some natural herbal remedies which work against common cold and flu

Remedies for the common Cold and Flu:

Elderberry - Elderberry is a traditional herbal remedy for upper respiratory infections. It’s has been shown to reduce the severity and length of flu symptoms. The constituents in Elderberry have a specific action against flu viruses.

Echinacea: A natural remedy that is popular for boosting the immune system. Its antiviral and antioxidant properties make it popular for treating the common cold and flu.

Astragalus: A natural remedy that is widely used in China for boosting the immune system. It is traditionally used as an energy tonic but is popular for treating common colds, respiratory infections and the flu.

Goldenseal: A natural remedy with powerful anti-inflammatory, antibiotic and astringent properties. The root is used for reducing colds, flu, fevers and other respiratory problems.

Ginger: A natural remedy with powerful healing properties. It is used as a diaphoretic to fight off cold and flu. Ginger is well known for treating motion and morning sickness, migraines, nausea, arthritis, respiratory infections. Because of these features, it is popular for treating the flu.

Vitamin C: Eating food high in vitamin C or taking natural vitamin C supplement may help fight off the flu.

Vitamin D: Plays an important role for aiding the immune system to fight microorganisms. Some experts believed that the reason why people are more vulnerable to the flu during winter is because of the lack of sunlight. The shorter days equal to less sunlight which prevents the skin from producing sufficient levels of vitamin D. Taking natural vitamin D supplement during the winter time is recommended by many health experts.

Other ways to fight the flu:

Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of getting the flu. Organic food such as fruit and vegetable are loaded with antioxidants, phytochemicals and many other nutrients that are designed to fight off bacteria and virus. No matter how deadly the microorganism, if you provide your body with the right nutrients, it has a very good chance of destroying it.

Drink herbal teas such as ginger and rosehip, add lemon juiceor cinnamon to give it an extra boost. These are high in antioxidants and full of antiviral properties.

Drink plenty of water to prevent dehydration. Being dehydrated can cause the mucous membranes around your eyes, mouth and nose to shrink which increases the chance of microorganisms getting through these barriers.

Your body needs about 8 hours of sleep per day. Getting enough rest will help boost your immune system.

Don't let Hay Fever get up your nose !

Hay fever is a pain in the nose!

Tired of spending a small fortune for hay fever relief ?

As anyone who has ever applied fresh aloe vera to a cut, burn or blister knows, nature's power to heal can be awesome. But while we're content to let eucalyptus and palm oil extracts do their work on our skin and hair, and embrace the health benefits of cooking with wild herbs, leaves and berries, when it comes to common ailments many of us don't even think to look to nature for help.

Because tablets or pills are available off the shelf ,we've forgotten that many of those tablets or pills began on a bush. The first hint of flu or a headache has people queueing in line for nasal sprays, syrups and pills.

But quite often, you end up with side effects that may be worse than the original symptoms !

And here are some of nature's secrets :

Packing your diet with fresh fruit and vegetables is essential . The more natural antioxidants you can get into your system the better. Vitamin C has natural antihistamine effects, so include lots of leafy greens, peppers, papaya, tomatoes and broccoli.

Foods as medicine: Increase onions and garlic for quercetin and sulfur levels.If you eat fish, now is a particularly good time to enjoy the natural anti-inflammatory properties as found in oily fish. Eat salmon as often as possible for the anti-inflammatory benefits of the Omega 3’s .

Quercetin: Stabilizes the “Mast Cells” of our immune system and prevents their cell membranes from degranulating and releasing histamine in to the system. Histamine is what makes us cough, sneeze, itch and have watery eyes.

Vitamin C: Supports the immune system and the functioning of quercetin.

Nettles Leaf: Has been shown to be extremely helpful during allergy season.

Beta Carotene plays a role in healthy mucous membranes and foods particularly rich in this include broccoli, asparagus and apricots. And remember to use lots of garlic in your cooking if it’s to your taste! It's another great immune system booster.

If there are any foods that you find you are sensitive to, try to avoid them during hayfever season to avoid placing any additional burden on your immune system. If you suffer from other environmental allergies, then it is helpful to avoid such foods

Having an alternative medicine plan in store during allergy season will save you time, medication, and misery in the long run.

Are you still suffering from Sinusitis ? Don't settle for living with it, get rid of it !

Sinusitis simply means inflammation of the sinuses, but this gives little indication of the misery and pain this condition can cause.

Symptoms of sinusitis can include fever, weakness and tiredness, a cough that may be more severe at night, and runny nose or nasal congestion.

• In addition, drainage of mucus from the sinuses down the back of the throat (postnasal drip) can cause a sore throat.
  
  However, by eating a few foods and herbs containing certain vitamin groups, we can lessen our chances of becoming afflicted with this painful and bothersome malady.

• Citrus fruits
• Red berries
• Tomatoes
• Potatoes
• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Brussels sprouts
• Red and green bell peppers
• Cabbage
• spinach

Those foods are all excellent dietary sources of vitamin C, which helps promote a healthy immune system.

The B-complex vitamins are actually a group of eight vitamins, which include thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3) and folic acid (B9), and are essential for a healthy nervous system, processing carbohydrates for energy, and the creation of red blood cells.

• Beans
• Whole grain cereals
• Oatmeal
• Potatoes
• Salmon
• Bananas
• Spinach

Those foods are only a few of the many food members of the vitamin B group with high levels of this group of nutrients.

Vegetable oils, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and fortified cereals are common food sources of vitamin E, an antioxidant that acts to protect your cells against the effects of free radicals, which are potentially damaging by-products of energy metabolism.

Free radicals can damage cells and may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease and cancer.

Vitamin E has also been shown to play a positive role in immune function.

A person susceptible to sinus disorders, particularly one who also is allergic, should avoid cigarette smoke and other air pollutants.

Inflammation in the nose caused by allergies predisposes a patient to a strong reaction to all irritants.

Drinking alcohol also causes the nasal-sinus membranes to swell.
Try to avoid too many dairy products when you can , as they stimulate your body to produce more mucus.

Time Tested Herbal Skin Care Tips

Glowing and healthy skin is an asset, it’s about beauty and it’s also about health.

Skin care has been important since the dawn of humans. In ancient times, herbal skin care was the only way to take care of skin.

So what are the ways herbal skin care helps your skin ?

Aloe vera, which is an extract from the Aloe plant, is one of the best examples of an herbal skin care product.

Freshly extracted aloe vera is a natural hydrant that helps in soothing skin.

It also helps in healing cuts and treating sun burns. This I know this from personal experience when I had a serious sunburn.

Aloe is an amazing skin healer.

A number of herbs are known to possess cleansing properties.

Dandelion, chamomile, lime flowers and rosemary herbs, are a few examples of such cleansers.

Their herbal skin care properties are enhanced when they are combined with other herbs like tea.

Antiseptics are another important part of Herbal skin care.

Lavender, marigold, thyme and fennel are good examples of herbs that are known to possess antiseptic properties.

Lavender water and rose water also form good toners.

Tea plays an important part in herbal skin care.
Tea extracts are used for treatment of skin that has been damaged by UV radiation.

Oils prepared from herbal extracts present another means of herbal skin care.

Tea tree oil, Lavender oil, borage oil and primrose oil are some popular oils used in herbal skin care.

Some fruit oils (e.g. extracts from fruits like banana, apple and melon) find use in shower gels (as a hydrating mix).

Homeopathic treatments and aromatherapies also come under the umbrella of herbal skin care remedies.

Herbal skin care is good not only for the routine nourishing of skin but also for treatment of itchy skin and skin disorders like eczema and psorasis.

Most herbal skin care products don’t have any side effects. (one of the most important reason for preferring them over synthetic products)

Moreover, herbal skin care products can be easily made at home, hence making them even more attractive.

Try the healing power of herbal skin care, it will help keep it youthful and healthful.

And if you suffer from a skin condition, it will get you on the road to recovery.