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1. Season of the Itch......................................................................................................................................... 1
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Chief of Allergy Immunology at Nassau University Medical Center in New York says she personally eats onions
and garlic every day. Quercetin is also available in capsule form. The typical dose is 250-500 rniJigrams taken
twice a day.
Apple Cider Vinegar. 1It helps people with allergies," says Dr. Cocke, who recommends talcing one to two
teaspoonfuls with five or six ounces of water 30 minutes before eating.
Eucalyptus and peppermint oils. Dr. Lily Au1 a naturopathic doctor in Pasadena, California, uses a combination
of eucalyptus, pine, lavender and peppermint oils, She recommends swabbing the nasal passages with a cotton
swab dipped in the oil blend.
Butterbur. Usually available in capsules, this herb may be taken as a daily supplement. Dr. Au says it decreases
the inflammation of the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract. "The extracts that are commercially
available have removed the toxic constituents that may cause liver damage," assures Au.
Local honey. Both Dr. Cocke and Dr. Au suggest that eating local honey is beneficial. It works (unless patients
are allergic to bees) because the honey contains tiny amounts of pollen.
Acupuncture. "Some patients come to the office and they are in unbelievable pain, absolutely miserable," says
Dr. Cocke, Acupuncture treatments produce immediate, short-term results, but it's an ongoing therapy, the
physician adds.
One final word of advice from Dr. Au: Children and pregnant and breastfeeding mothers should consult with
their doctors before taking any herbal supplements.
Sidebar
Pollens and Fresh Food
Highly allergic seasonal allergy sufferers may encounter Oral Allergy Syndrome (OAS) when eating certain
uncooked foods during heavy pollen months. OAS is due to cross reactivity between plant proteins, pollens and
fruits and vegetables, according to Dr. Frieri. Symptoms include itching of the lips and mouth and swelling of the
lips, tongue and uvula. Most primary care doctors do not know about OAS, says Frieri.
When patients are very reactive to birch trees in skin tests, they may. develop symptoms when they eat apples,
carrots, celery, hazelnuts and cherries during pollen season. Highly allergic ragweed patients may react to
bananas, chamomile, melons and Echinacea. - H.W.
AuthorAffiliation
HARRIET WEINSTEIN is a Connecticutbased journalist who writes about business, health and the environment
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