For so many people, allergies are a part of daily life. Everything from pet dander and dust to the foods we eat can trigger an allergic response and some of the responses can be as serious as temporary paralysis or even suffocation!

A few years ago a doctor gave me some very pungent swiss oil composed of eucalyptus, peppermint, juniper and cajeput extracts. Eucalyptus is often used for opening sinuses and relieving the accompanying headache. The combination of eucalyptus and peppermint fumes I found to easily relieve that itchy, prickly sensation of swelling blood vessels that often cause tenderness to the scalp, sneezing and headache.

Peppermint can be helpful when you have food allergies; it is soothing to the stomach.
I like to drink peppermint tea when food allergies are irritating me. I also enjoy peppermint in my tea and as a great breath freshener.

Recently, I began taking "Butterbur" for allergies and migraines. It is a plant extract from the roots, leaves and stem of a plant found in Europe. Butterbur decreases Histamines and Leukotrienes, which are the chemicals often, released during an allergic reaction. It can also be used for the stomach, coughs, infections, and asthma. A word of caution, it can sometimes be toxic to the liver. I recommend drinking lots of green tea and making sure to get your anti-oxidants if you are going to use "Butterbur", to help to alleviate some of its toxic effects. If yo utake it in capsule or pill form; stick to the dosages on the label of the container. Never think that "more is better"; this is not always the case.

Feverfew is another plant that I use to relieve allergy symptoms and headaches, as it is an anti-inflammatory. A member of the Chamomile family, it is considerably bitterer tasting, but the fresh leaf, chewed, can relieve a great deal of agony. I have used it for a long time for migraines, as well and find it to be excellent for controlling pain.

I will either chew half of a fresh leaf or make a tea with about 1tsp. of dried, crushed leaves to a cup of boiling water.

Getting rid of that nasty drainage is a major factor, but I use a "Neti" pot with saline solution to do this. Twice a day a teaspoon of sea salt and a pot of water poured through each nostril can keep the dust and pollens washed out of your nostrils.

The "Neti" pot has been used for centuries by monks in Tibet. A few years ago, an American doctor patented her own version of the "Neti" pot which can be bought at many pharmacies. This patented version, "Sinu-Cleans", comes with it'w own, pre-measured saline packets and a great little plastic "Neti" Pot and refills are available.

Other natural alternatives are: Grape seed extract, Red Onions and Fresh Garlic, containing Quercetin, (antihistamine), Cayenne Pepper, Green Tea and other anti-oxidants.

The FDA does not regulate most Alternative treatments because they often don't have the dangerous side effects of prescription or OTC drugs. You want to avoid the chemical effects of OTC and Prescription if you can; you don't want to go from allergies to a heart condition.

Ask your doctor to monitor you while you are using alternative preparations. Many doctors, although not approving of alternatives, may still work with you while using them.

Lastly, something I have used for years and maybe your grandmother was right, "Castor Oil" could dry up the nasal membranes and help to alleviate Rhinitis drainage. A couple of drops on the back of the tongue daily or in your favorite beverage are a good dose. If you absolutely can't stand the taste, mix a drop or two in olive oil where you fry your eggs or bacon to hide the taste.

Learn more about this author, M. L. Kiser.
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