By Jonathan Evans
Herbal Information Specialist for the Herbarium
It is spring allergy season. It is time to prepare for the blooming of trees, grass, and other plants. For most of you, it is a wonderful time of year, full of new life and growth, but for allergy sufferers this is hell. Itchy eyes, runny nose, low grade fevers … what fun.
Many people develop these symptoms and think it is a spring cold. With the flu season still going on, some will think the worst. If this is the first time you are experiencing this phenomenon, don’t be alarmed. People can develop sensitivities or allergies at any age. Check with your physician if you think you are getting the flu. If you find you are clear, it is probably allergies.
This years’ weird weather is not making things any better. Going from snowy days to warm wet ones, having the leaf debris exposed is exposing mold and spores that shouldn’t be here yet.
Herbal helps for allergy season
Here are some possible solutions to your suffering:
Vitamin C plays an important role as an antihistamine and anti-inflammatory. It thins mucus, strengthens cell walls and is the main antioxidant in the cells of the respiratory passages.
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) used to reduce excessive mucus and nasal congestion.
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a soothing expectorant and demulcent to mucous membranes. It reduces inflammation.
Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is an anti inflammatory.
Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) is an anti inflammatory, antihistamine, and helps clear up the “weepy eyes” of allergies.
Quercetin is a bioflavonoid that helps to inhibit the overproduction of histamine.
Bromelain helps increase absorption of quercetin and is a powerful anti inflammatory.
Local honey. It is probably too late for spring allergies – but start using it now for the hay fever season. The idea of using local honey comes from the fact it would contain trace amounts of local pollen. Eating small amounts over time would help build up your tolerance to these irritants.
There are also a variety of formulas and homeopathic remedies that can offer relief for allergy sufferers without the side effects of some of the over the counter drug products out there.
HGH – human growth hormones
It is that time again when HGH advertisements rear their ugly heads. HGH stand for human growth hormone. These products are advertised as helpful for anti aging, “turning back the clock”, building muscles, and so forth. They are promoted as a real fountain of youth.
First of all, human growth hormone is something that a doctor would administer for very specific conditions. This is not something people should be fooling with for a number of reasons.
I did some research for a customer who just couldn’t understand that HGH could be dangerous. Human growth hormone decreases as we age because we grow up and do not need it. In looking into the products I went a few lines down past the sales pitches and found several reputable sites with scientific evidence showing the use of HGH can cause liver damage, carpal tunnel syndrome, joint pain, fluid retention and a host of other problems.
The biggest worry is that HGH could contribute to the growth of tumors!
I have been sent samples of HGH products for years. I ask every company if they can supply me with any studies showing HGH does not contribute to increased chances of cancer. They all have assured me the studies are in the mail. To date, I have never seen one.
One company claims to be FDA registered, so I looked them up. Makes it sound like they are FDA approved doesn’t it? They are not. According to the FDA “registration does not in any way denote approval of establishment or its product”.
I said it before and will continue to say it “ believe 50 percent of what is on the web and never buy their product.”
Remember, a company can say whatever it wants to on the internet. These companies hire professionals to set up their websites, using every advertising and marketing gimmick in the book to make you want to buy their stuff. It never ceases to amaze me how people who are ordinarily very savvy shoppers will fall for these scams just because they saw it on the internet. Caveat emptor!
— Jonathan
Send questions on botanical remedies to: Natures Rx: Jonathan Evans at herbarium258@gmail.com, or by regular mail to: The Herbarium, 264 Exchange St., Chicopee, MA. 01013. If requesting additional info, include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
