Roots of Healthy Living

Allergies have hit big at our house this week.

My son was telling me yesterday that our town had the highest pollen count in the world yesterday. So I guess there is a reason for the runny noses, itchy throats, read eyes, etc.For years, my husband and son have not enjoyed Spring. They are allergic to grasses and we happen to be the grass capital of the world. Not good.

Starting in early spring they would usually both be drugged out on Benadryl and miserable. They've tried every allergy product out there. Last year, when we were looking for natural alternatives we found some great herbal solutions. Jeff only had to take an over the counter allergy mediciation twice the entire season.

So, what do we do?

Dr. Christopher has a great product out there called Immucalm. It is 50 percent Astragulus Root and 50 percent Marshmellow Root. Astragulus is great at strengthening the immune system and marshmellow is soothing. Allergies are the body's way of overacting to something it shouldn't be overreacting to. This combination calms down the overreaction and yet still strengthens the body at the same time. It is amazing. I would never be without this combination.

Nettles are another great herb for allergies. I don't know how it works, I only know that it does. Yes, this is the stinging nettle that we have all learned to fear. It is one of natures GREAT overall nutritional herbs. It containes many minerals in it and has wonderful healing properties. If you go to any herbal/healthfood store this time of year you will see displays of Nettles in tinctures, capsules, and even herbal tea. Why? Because it is great for allergies and a host of other ailments.

For eyes, we use Dr. Christopher's Herbal Eyebright Formula. It is an eyewash. You take 3-5 drops in a little glass eye cup (from the health store) filled with distilled water and wash out your eye. It has a little sting to it but worth it for the results you get.

Last year, my son woke up one day with his allergies so bad and his eyes so red he couldn't even see. He was a freshman in highschool. He was miserable and refused to go to school. I had a class and needed to leave. I told him about the Herbal Eyebright Formula and how to use it. I had never used it before so I said it was up to him if he was brave enough or desperate enough to try it. An hour later I came home to find his eyes clean and white and he was ready for school. We've been a fan ever since.

The last product we love is Dr. Christopher's Sinus Plus Formula. It containes the herb Brigham Tea which has some mild ephedra properties and seem to help with the congestion and runny nose problems associated with allergies.

We stock up on all of these herbs well before springtime allergies hit. I would not be afraid to use them for ANY type of allergy in my family. They idea is the same for all types of allergic reactions. Strenthen and calm the immune system.