HEALTH WISE
(04/24/2009) By Valerie Greguire,
Certified Herbalist, Natural Health Consultant

Preparation for Springtime…PT II
On the subject of cleansing the body and particularly the lymphatic system; exercise is very important. Make a point to exercise regularly; it will really help to improve your allergies. The best types of exercises to cleanse the lymphatic system are those that use your whole body at one time. Walking, tennis, swimming, aerobics, and mini trampoline are all good examples of these types of exercises. Try to do a little something daily, but a good 30-45 minutes of this type of exercise 3 times a week is very important. In addition, I can’t overemphasize the importance of cleaning up your diet. The more processed foods you eliminate from your diet like white sugar and white flour products, the healthier your body can become. Learn to eat more natural foods and lots of vegetables as well as natural fruits. Remember it took your body a long time to get off balance, so it is likely to take a while for it to repair and rebuild itself. If you are starting your program to combat allergies at the start of the allergy season, it is going to be a bit of an uphill battle. This means that even though you are likely to see improvement, you are also likely to still be sensitive to many allergens. The good news is that you should be able to help control them with natural supplements instead of over the counter drugs and medications.

Another important step to take in addition to cleansing is to replenish friendly bacteria in the intestinal tract. Probiotic Eleven provides eleven strains of friendly bacteria. These friendly microbes that live in your intestinal tract actually help your body to be less reactive to allergens. A history of antibiotic use, which kills the good bacteria in your gut, has been shown to directly correlate to a higher incidence of allergies. This formula is specially formulated for those who suffer from food allergies as well. So by building the good bacteria in your gut, you strengthen your immune system and lessen your sensitivity to allergens.

While working on improving your diet, lifestyle and overall health you still encounter allergens with every breath you take. The onset of symptoms must be helped or we would be completely miserable and useless. Nature’s Sunshine has several wonderful herbal blends that help bring relief from allergy symptoms and lessen the need for over the counter medications. Herbal Sinus Support, ALJ, and HistaBlock top the list. What the difference is in these formulas, or how do you know which one to use? The answer is that these are 3 different allergy formulas, created by 3 different Herbalists, Check with Natures Remedy for the formula best suited for you. While working with natural remedies, you can still take your over the counter allergy medications if needed. You will generally find you will need a lower dose or need them less often.

With the air we breathe being full of allergens we don’t need to compound things by adding chemicals as well. Is your home or work environment contributing to your allergies? New homes, new carpet, or the cleaning products you use can all create toxins that affect your health. Many places of business have toxins in the air as a by-product of the production or products that they sell or manufacture. Where ever possible improve your air quality with air purifiers. .

Go ahead, take a deep breath and enjoy your day.

For more specific information or to have your questions answered. Please visit Nature’s Remedy at 18 Monroe Street, Ellicottville NY or by calling 716.699.HERB (4372).

DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this publication is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose illness nor prescribe treatment. Rather, this material is designed to be used in cooperation with your nutritionally-oriented health professional to deal with your personal health problems.