Herbal Remedies for Allergy Relief

By Ursula Basch
Herbal Bear School of Botanical Medicine

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Spring has finally arrived and the trees and flowers are now in bloom. Nature’s beautiful display can cause problems for people who suffer from allergies. All of a sudden, the sneezing, itchy eyes, and congestion begin. Experts who monitor pollen and mold counts say pollen counts are largely the same in urban and suburban areas.

Many of our most common trees; maples, oaks and birch, are big pollen producers. Tree pollen concentrations begin in late April and peak in late May – just when grasses and molds concentrations start to rise! So what can an allergy sufferer do?

Many people reach for over the counter antihistamines. However, antihistamines can cause sedation and reduce concentration. A recent study conducted by Privilege Insurance revealed some alarming results. A survey of almost 5,000 adults found that one in seven suffered from hay fever or other allergies and almost half of these had driven after taking medication. Many of those questioned said they had lost concentration at the wheel because of side effects such as drowsiness.

Herbal Allergy Relief

Herbs are generally considered to be quite safe, and they can offer you natural allergy treatment without the drowsiness of conventional over the counter antihistamine drugs. Here are a few example of herbs that are used for allergy symptoms:

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)

Stinging nettle has a long history as a treatment for a variety of respiratory conditions, including allergic rhinitis. Stinging Nettle juice contains an anti-inflammatory component similar to that of steroid drugs. It is thought that properties in the nettle prevent the body from making inflammatory chemicals known as prostaglandins1. A preliminary trial reported that capsules made from freeze-dried leaves reduced sneezing and itching in people with hay fever2.

1 Obertreis B, Giller K, Teucher T, et al. Antiphlogistic effects of Urtica dioica folia extract in comparison to caffeic malic acid. Arzneimittelforschung 1996;46:52-6.

2 Mittman P. Randomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.Planta Med 1990;56:44-7.



Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)

Eyebright has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties. Due to its ability to reduce mucous secretions, it is often used for infectious and allergic conditions affecting the eyes, middle ear, sinuses, and nasal passages including: eye strain and inflammations, weeping eyes, itching eyes, and runny nose.

Click here for more information about clinical studies for eyebright



Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)

A 2004 study published in "Clinical & Experimental Allergy" reported Butterbur to be as effective as the prescription drug fexofenadine (Allegra) for treating symptoms of hay fever. Another study published in "Phytotherapy Research" showed similar results. The clinical evidence of butterbur is still out for debate because both studies were conducted for a limited time of two to three weeks. Butterbur does contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) which can be toxic to your liver and kidneys. Only use preparations that are PA free.

Click here for more information about clinical studies for Butterbur

New Herbal Classes

Spring is here and I just wanted to take a moment of you time to tell you about our terrific hands-on herbal learning course - the Herbal Bear's Botanical Medicine Program. This course is very special. It offers students the opportunity to learn about herbs by placing the classroom right in the garden! The program is held one weekend a month (twice in October) at the Herbal Bear, Grand Gorge, NY location - a beautiful private 30 acre property in the Northern Catskills - just 2 hours and 45 minutes from NYC.
Each weekend we learn about the plants that grow arounds us by studying their healing properties upon different body systems, gathering and harvesting the local medicinal plants which grow on the property, and develping a systematic approach to herbal formulations. By the end of the program you will be able to identify and know how to use over 100 different herbs. Our classes are informal and relaxed - however we take pride in the fact that our instructors are amoung the top in thier fields and include experienced herbalists, research scientists, and authors who have published in their field of expertice.
Our classes are small, allowing accessibility to our instructors both during class time and after class. Our instructor's enthusiasm for their topics shows in their willingness to share both their time and knowlege with students - in class and one-on-one.
No one enjoys a boring classroom lecture - this is why we have designed this class to be an interactive and hands-on experience. Learning about herbal remedies takes on a whole new dimension when you have a chance to see, smell, touch and use the plants that grow right in the Northern Catskills.
There are currently have a few spaces still left in this program. If you are interested our Botanical Medicine Program, please feel free to visit our website to learn more about the program - http://www.herbalbear.com/app07.html

Best Wishes for a Great Spring!
Ursula Basch

Are Herbs Really Good For your Health?

By Ursula Basch
The Herbal Bear School of Botanical Medicine

Anyone who has ever gone into a health food store has seen the overwhelming variety of herbal remedies on the shelves. Consumers often have questions:

• What is the best way to take herbs, teas or tinctures?
• What does it mean when an herbal remedy is "standardized"?
• How long is the shelf life of a medicinal herb?

Good questions - but where can you find good answers? The best answers are often not by asking the cashier at the health food store - but rather by doing a little bit of homework yourself - before you go out to buy herbal remedies. There are a number of excellent books that discuss herbal remedies including:

• Complete Guide to Medicinal Herbs, by Penelope Ody
• The Herbal Handbook - A User's Guide to Medical Herbalism, by David Hoffman
• Herbal Remedies for Women, by Amanda McQuade Crawford
  

Another good source of information is taking a class with an experienced herbalist. The advantage of a class is that you often have the ability to see the actual plants and ask the instructor questions you may have concerning various herbs. In New York, the Herbal Bear School offers many classes specifically designed for beginning herbal students. The classes range from short one day introductions to herbal remedies to a full six weekend course called the Botanical Medicine program. Often your local botanical garden or horticultural society has guest lecturers that offer classes on herbalism. It is just a matter of taking the time to find a class in your area.

De-Mystifying Organic
What is "Organic" anyway?
Americans are buying organic products for a variety of reasons. Some of the reasons include belief that organic foods are better: for the environment; for their health; and for quality and taste. Organic food has both a popular meaning, and, a legal definition. In everyday conversation, it usually refers to all "naturally produced" foods, or the product of organic farming. As a legal term, it means certified organic. The distinction is important, as the two definitions can represent quite different products.

In the United States "Organic" is defined by the U.S. Dept of Agriculture (USDA) . As of October 21, 2002, all agricultural farms and products claiming to be organic must be guaranteed by a USDA-approved independent agency to be meeting the following guidelines:
Producers must abstain from the application of prohibited materials (including synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, and sewage sludge) for 3 years prior to certification and then continually throughout their organic license.
Prohibit the use of genetically modified organisms and irradiation.
Employ positive soil building, conservation, manure management and crop rotation practices.
Provide outdoor access and pasture for livestock.
Refrain from antibiotic and hormone use in animals.
Sustain animals on 100% organic feed.
Certified organic meat, eggs, poultry and dairy are produced from animals not inoculated with antibiotics or growth hormones.
Avoid contamination during the processing of organic products.
Keep records of all operations.
So Organic is the Best Standard - Right?You may think that "Organic" is the highest standard for our food. Unfortunately there are a number of other factors that you may assume come along with the "Organic" label - that are not necessary so. Click Here to see entire article.