Herbal supplements can offer hope
<p>Many allergy sufferers find relief from natural alternative medicines. <br /><br />
Several herbal supplements have shown promise for treating allergies, said Kim DeRhodes, a pharmacist at Carolinas HealthCare System and Whole Health Nutrition and Wellness in Charlotte. <br />
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For symptom relief, she suggests butterbur, a flowering shrub, or stinging nettle leaves. Both are available in health food stores. <br />
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Two small studies in Scotland and Switzerland have found butterbur to have the same allergy-fighting effects as Allegra and Zyrtec, two prescription antihistamines. <br />
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For prevention of allergic reactions, DeRhodes suggested quercetin, a bioflavonoid that comes from the white pulp in citrus fruit. "It's a natural antihistamine," she said. <br />
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Those treatments are also recommended by Dr. Andrew Weil, the nationally known integrative medicine expert. His popular Web site, <a href="http://www.drweil.com,/" target="_blank"><font color="#006699">www.drweil.com,</font></a> also mentions acupuncture for prevention and treatment of allergy symptoms. <br />
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Both Weil and DeRhodes suggest flushing nasal passages with a warm saline solution to prevent or treat sinus infections. <br />
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The treatment is called a neti pot, for the traditional Indian nasal-irrigation device shaped like Aladdin's lamp. <br />
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"You have to get used to the sensation of water in your nose," DeRhodes said. <br />
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"For people that have chronic allergies or sinus infections, that helps a lot." <br />
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From Charlotte.com</p>
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