Seasonal allergies: kitchen remedies

Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." ~ Hippocrates

The body is strong and knows how to heal but we must provide the raw materials it needs to reach wholeness. After prevention, the next step to managing allergies is to boost the immune system through proper food choices.

Start in the kitchen, eating well-balanced, whole foods rich in:

• Beta carotene - all red, yellow and orange fruits and vegetables

• B vitamins - oats, yeast extract or lean meats

• Iron - sesame seeds, dried fruits, liver

• Magnesium - seafood, beans and nuts

• Protein - eggs, lean meats and poultry, dairy, peanuts, beans, lentils, grains

• Vitamin A - yellow and dark leafy green vegetables, seed and bean sprouts, fish

• Zinc - nuts, seed and eggs

A word about Vitamin C

In addition to acting as a natural antihistamine, vitamin C's natural antioxidant properties are helpful to allergy response. Damage from free radicals are triggered by pollen and often contribute to respiratory distress. Plus foods rich in vitamin C also contain bioflavonoids. These two components work together synergistically to boost the immune system. 

Common foods

Seasonings and spices (food-grade herbs) commonly found in kitchens have life-giving properties. Ginger, cinnamon and ginko, for instance, contain numerous phytochemical compounds and natural antihistamines to ease allergy discomforts and reduce inflammation. Peppermint is useful for opening breathing passages and reducing congestion. Simple herbs and spices are easy to add to your favorite dishes or simply brew up as a tea and breathe easier.

According to Ayurvedic medicine, garlic has heating and drying qualities, creates a rejuvenating effect on tissues, including those supporting the respiratory system, and helps reduce excess mucus. 

"When our digestive system, colon and tissues are blocked by accumulated mucus (ama) toxins, it is difficult for our body to absorb nutrients; hence one of the many systems affected is our immune system, thereby making it difficult for our bodies to fight off airborne pathogens during the change of seasons," says Rose Parsad, a Portland-based Licensed Massage Therapist, PSYCH-K Therapist, Reiki Energy Healer, certified Ayurvedic Panchakarma Technician, and Doula/Midwife. "Simple herbs like Garlic aid in maintaining good health during these changes. Some of it's healing qualities - stimulant, disinfectant, detoxifier, antiphrastic, antisposmadic, carminitive, aphrodisiac, and rejuvenator - help move along the blockages in the digestive tract and colon. It also works as a blood and lymph cleanser and lung/bronchial antiseptic."

Garlic can be used in various forms including tincture, medicated oil, infused, powder, juice, whole or crushed and is easily found at a variety of neighborhood markets. 

CAUTIONS: Garlic may cause colic in breastfed infants. If you develop a rash after consuming any specific seasonings or spices, discontinue use. 

Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids

Some fats are needed by the body, and Omega 3 Fatty Acids, known for their anti-inflammatory benefits, are one of them. This explains the fascination with cod liver, castor and linseed oils in the 50s and 60s. Today we know that Omega 3s are also found in salmon, leafy greens, nuts, seeds and green algae. So either hold your nose or eat up! Your choice.

Food tips for further reducing seasonal allergy reactions

1. Avoid foods you know you are sensitive or allergic to or that wear down your body's immunity. A compromised immune system lessens the body's defenses. Keeping symptoms to a minimum helps reduce the risk of triggering asthma attacks as well. The only thing worse than dealing with symptoms of one allergy, is battling symptoms of multiple allergies or conditions.

2. Reduce or eliminate mucus-forming and stress-inducing foods. Common offenders with suggested substitutes are: Dairy including milk, cheese, yogurt, butter and ice cream (sub. coconut, nut, hemp or rice products or less mucus-forming goat products); Caffeine including coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks and chocolate (sub. low caffeine green tea, red tea, coffee substitutes and carob); Wheat found mostly in breads and cakes (sub. spelt, rye, corn and sprouted whole grain); Refined sugars and starches including white rice, breads, crackers, pasta and sugar (sub. brown/jasmine/basmati rice, whole grain pastas, breads and crackers, powdered stevia, honey, maple syrup and brown rice syrup).

3. Reduce the toxic load on your body by eliminating processed foods and striving to consume pesticide-free meats, poultry, fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds and spices. Your immune system will thank you by functioning more effectively. Local CSAs, farmers markets, food coops, and natural food markets (like New Seasons) are a good place to start.

4. Water. Drink lots of it. Hydration helps the body to cope with stress. 

5. Get your food act together. Make eating better a priority. If you struggle with food and want help, consider working with a holistic health coach or nutritionist. They are skilled at helping you reach your goals. Success IS within reach!

Activating your kitchen as a center for promoting health and healing through food will revitalize your life!

Did you know?

The 4 Gs - ginger, garlic, ginko and ginseng - can inhibit the body's platelet-activating factor, thin blood platelets and increase the risk of bleeding for those taking blood thinning medication? Check with a qualified health professional beforeincreasing your intake of the 4 Gs. Yes, food IS powerful! (Source: Platelet Disorder Support Association)

Clearing space

January is Get Organized Month. In alignment with the New Year theme of "ringing in the new", decluttering is a perfect way to free up space for fresh dynamic energy, abundance and love to come into our lives. At our home, we're declaring January "the clutter-free month"!

There are a few silent giants that invade our homes on a daily basis. Years ago, after learning that the average family in our neighborhood produced over 45 pounds of recycled waste each week, we adopted the eco-philosophy of reduce/reuse/recycle to get our kitchen waste down to a minimum.

So, the first quarter of each year, we focus on tackling the seemingly never-ending abundance of paper that crosses the doorstep in the form of bills, statements, newspapers, circulars, periodicals, junk mail, personal/work/school documents, cards, and receipts.

Combined households can mean the addition of old journals, letters, magazines, books, get well cards, posters, event cards, files, and even more mail, make the mounting piles of paper even more overwhelming.

Eliminating paper is a form of cleansing or clearing or detoxing. Similar to a food cleanse, the aim is to reduce the amount that's coming in and at the same time eliminate the excess that's already present. Regarding the mail, our most common source of paper overflow, my mom always said, "touching paper more than once is a waste of time". In other words: read it, handle it, toss/shred it, and be done with it.

One morning each week in January is dedicated to converting existing accounts to electronic statements, setting up auto/electronic bill payments, and shredding unnecessary paper. At the end of the month these small steps help reach a goal: less incoming paper = less clutter! 

Once the mail clutter has been dealt with, that time can be repurposed for more emotional tasks like reducing or organizing personal items of sentimental value: cards, letters, books, journals, etc. This can be potentially daunting, so take your time to decide which items can be gifted to others to treasure, which can be stored or displayed for posterity, and which ones can simply live on in memory.

Take comfort in the knowledge that there are health benefits to being organized. It's true.

Being organized:

• Reduces stress by lowering uneasiness, distractions, and cortisol levels

• Provides a natural energy boost by creating natural productivity

• Helps you lose weight by encouraging healthier choices

• Improves sleep by creating more time for passive, relaxing activities

• Reducing depression risk factors: stress, poor eating, inefficiency, and sleep deprivation 

• Encourages a true work-life balance by creating more time for the important things

To assist with change/transition/letting go, try diffusing essential oils. Orange, lemon, peppermint, and/or lavender can help energize and uplift, while supporting feelings of peace and calm.

Hopefully, these ideas will provide a small spark to clear space for what's to come. Happy New Year!

---

References:

Organizing Your Life Reduces Stress - http://www.healthreviser.com/content/organizing-your-life-reduces-stress

Physical Order Produces Healthy Choices - http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0956797613480186

Seven Organization Tips - https://www.busylifeproducts.com/blogs/organization/7-organization-tips-to-save-time-take-control-and-feel-less-stressed

How Cleaning and Organizing Can Improve Your Mental and Physical Health - https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/how-cleaning-and-organizing-can-improve-your-physical-and-mental-health

8 Annoying Chores with Unexpected Scientific Health Benefits - https://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/health-benefits-chores/

Can Being More Organized Be Good for Your Health - https://www.rd.com/home/cleaning-organizing/health-benefits-chores/

Complimentary care: herbs and supplements

"Everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to it, and every person a mission." ~Anonymous

Sometimes it is appropriate or necessary to get additional allergy support from supplements and natural herbs. These can help to build immunity, ward off undesirable reactions, or manage symptoms once they occur. 

What to know about selection

• Look for supplements and herbs that have been standardized - each capsule or tablet contains the same amount of active ingredient

• Do your best to ensure that the herbs you select do not come from areas where agricultural chemicals have been used

• Look for ingredients that are native to your locale

• Organic or wild-harvested herbs are best

Echinacea

Most known for it's proven ability to strengthen the immune system, echinacea also reduces the body's sensitivity to allergens.

Elderflower

An essential preventative remedy for hay fever, especially when used prior to the allergy season. In season, elderflower is most useful for reducing inflammation, the production of nasal mucus, and watery eyes.

Eyebright

Used as an eyewash, eyebright helps to relieve inflamed or watery eyes. And it is quite effective at slowing a runny nose and soothing mucus membranes when used as a nasal rinse. 

Thyme, rosemary and chamomile

The essential oils of these herbs are helpful at clearing the sinuses and stimulating circulation. As a tea or or infusion, they can reduce nasal congestion.

Red clover and sage

These are powerful blood purifiers that help cleanse the toxins produced by allergies. As a tea or gargle, sage is known to soothe the throat. 

CAUTION: Red clover and sage should not be used while pregnant or breastfeeding.

Stinging nettle (L. Urtica ioica)

Tea made from nettle can help increase resistance to allergic reaction. It is especially useful at reducing the release of histamines that cause itching from stings, hay fever and food allergies. Available in capsule, tincture and tea form. 

Black Seed (Nigella sativa)

Black seed is a powerful antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, bronchodilator and antihistamine. Two of black seed's volatile oils,  work together to enhance its action against respiratory symptoms, offering a safe alternative to the cortisone-based therapies often used by allergy sufferers.

CAUTION: Black seed should NOT be used during pregnancy as it may increase the risk of miscarriage.

Quercetin

This funny sounding antioxidant and bioflavonoid is actually responsible for the dark colors in plants like fruits and vegetables. This pigment inhibits both the production and release of histamines in the body. To counter their slow-acting properties, begin taking quercetin before allergy symptoms begin - prior to or at the beginning of the allergy season. Quercetin can be found abundantly in apples or as a dietary supplement.

Eucalyptus and peppermint

Peppermint is highly regarded for its treatment of nasal congestion, sinusitus, improved digestion, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Invigorating eucalyptus is used widely for its ability to calm and clear as well as for easing breathing. Peppermint is a common tea in many homes. Both are available as essential oils. Sprinkling a few drops of either on the floor or walls of the shower before bathing in the morning is uplifting. 

Did you know?

It's easy and fun to grow your own allergy herb garden! Start with a small pot or window box, indoor or out.

You should always consult your health care practitioner before using herbs and supplements, especially if taking any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medications as they may contraindicate on another and cause undesirable or serious effects.

More information

Cascadia Folk Medicine supplies botanical medicines (herbs) that are "ethically wildcrafted or organically grown in the mountains, valley, and gardens of the Cascadia Bioregion".

Mountain Rose Herbs offers a wide range of certified organic herbs. Herbal students studying with specified educators are eligible for a 10% discount.

Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine offers online herbal courses and certification. 

Seasonal allergies: an ounce of prevention

"An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure." ~ Benjamin Franklin

The first line of defense against allergy attacks is understanding that allergy symptoms are the body's natural response to external irritation. So the #1 step in managing allergies naturally is to, as much as possible, limit exposure to allergens in your environment. 

Learn what your particular allergens are. It helps to know WHAT you are allergic to. Your allergist, naturopath, or integrative doctor can help you identify the specific culprits and help you come up with a reasonable plan using natural methods first to reduce exposure and minimize symptoms. This article can provide a better understanding of how a holistic doctor may handle allergies. To find an integrative medicine doctor specializing in allergies, search: American Holistic Medicine Association, American Board of Integrative Holistic Medicine, or American College for Advancement in Medicine. 

Be informed. Once  you've identified them, know when your allergens are at their peak, which days may be most stressful to your system, and limit your time outdoors or prolonged exposure on those days when possible. Pollen.com is an amazing repository of information on pollen. Check out the library for known allergens by season. For auto-notification on the status of allergic conditions in your area, sign up to have the Allergy Alert email delivered directly to your email inbox.

Remember that the pollen count is usually highest during the morning and evening hours, and lower in the afternoon. At these times and on windy days, keep home and car windows closed and use an air conditioner if it's hot. Granted, it's not the greenest solution but you may decide it's a better option than suffering through symptoms or dealing with the side effects of medications.

Minimize the spread. Pollen collects on outdoor surfaces including mailboxes, water hoses, fences, trash cans and car door handles. Here's a few tips to keep in mind when coming indoors:

• Remove shoes at the door to avoid tracking pollen into the house.

• If your pets go outdoors, you may want to wipe them down before they come back in.

• If you've been outdoors for a while, especially on breezy days, showering upon your return home helps to remove pollen particles from hair and skin.

• Change clothes before sitting on furniture or bedding.

• At the least, avoid touching your eyes and face while out, then be sure to wash your face and hands and cleanse your nose once you're indoors again.

Consider replacing your lawn, if you have grass allergies, with a rock garden or or veggies or plants with lower pollen release.

Thomas Leo Ogren has written two fabulous books on the subject of allergy-free gardening ...

Finally, pray for rain! Seriously, rain cleanses the atmosphere. It's like a natural atmospheric do-over.

Did you know?

If your green thumb leads to a red nose, coughing and swollen eyes, learning a bit more about plants and the amount of pollen they release may be helpful. According to The National Gardening Association, "As a general guideline for allergy sufferers, colorful showy flowers, which are pollinated by insects and birds, produce less pollen than non-descript flowers (such as the long, narrow catkins on many trees), which are wind pollinated. Pollen blown about by wind is smaller, lighter and more likely to end up in our nostrils. The pollen that insects favor is usually heavier, stickier and less likely to move from the plant (unless it is on the back of a bee)". Think about it!

Seasonal allergies: complimentary care

“It's bizarre that the produce manager is more important to my children's health than the pediatrician.” ~Meryl Streep

Aromatherapy

Essential oils are the extracted aromatic essence of common and rare plants, namely trees, fruits, flowers, and herbs. More than 150 essential oils are known to have been extracted, each with its own unique scent and healing property.

Essential oils act within the body pharmacologically (like drugs but safer), physiologically (benefit, stimulate, or adapt to specific systems), and psychologically (triggering a brain response). 

Although essential oils are generally considered safe for home treatment, you should consult a qualified health practitioner if you are pregnant, use homeopathic remedies, have a chronic illness like high blood pressure or a serious health problem like epilepsy, are undergoing psychiatric treatment, or plan to use with babies or young children.

The aromatherapy benefits of essential oils are easy to obtain at home in a variety of ways. Oils can be added to baths, massage oils, steam inhalation, body and skin care products, mouthwashes, and compresses. Sometimes essential oils are enjoyed simply for their fragrance.

Essential oils that are helpful with hay fever include:

• Cypress is an antispasmodic that is often used as a throat gargle. Several drops added to a vaporizer relaxes tense muscles and prevents coughing spasms.

• Eucalyptus’ reputation as a powerful antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and decongestant, accounts for its use in the treatment of colds, coughs, sinusitis and infections. It has a calming effect and ability to open aid breathing.

• Lavender, well known for its calming and relaxing properties, can be massaged into the chest to reduce spasms. Some hay fever or asthma sufferers may be allergic to lavender.

• Peppermint’s uplifting and invigorating characteristics open up passages that ease breathing.

• Roman Chamomile is calming and soothing to the nervous system, helps prevent spasms, and induces sleep. A few drops in a vaporizer or sprinkled on a light bulb is even gentle enough for children. Should not be used in the first trimester of pregnancy.

Tip: Drinking a glass of lemon water (juice of ½ a lemon or a few drops of lemon oil in a glass of warm water) first thing in the morning can regulate blood pressure, reduce phlegm, relieve indigestion, purify the blood and flush toxins from the body. Drink up!

Homeopathy
Contrary to allopathic medicine, homeopathy is based on the philosophy that minute doses of a substance that produces symptoms similar to the illness, triggers the body’s immune defenses. This is poplary known as the principle of “like cures like”. Although Samuel Hahnemann, an 18th century German physician, is credited with developing homeopathy as we know it today, it was Hippocrates (“the father of medicine”) who initially understood the philosophy.

Homeopathy follows a methodology that considers the individual’s (a) specific symptoms, (b) reaction to sickness, and (c) ability to heal for determining diagnosis and treatment.

An unusual aspect of homeopathy is that many of the substances used in remedies would be harmful if taken in their basic form. Remedies are diluted, however, and developed from plant, animal, and mineral origins and include snake venom, homey bees, coffee, and copper.

Although many doctors remain skeptical about its effectiveness, the value of homeopathy is proven by its worldwide popularity as a safe and effective treatment for many problems.

Euphrasia, the homeopathic version of eyebright, has been used since 1305 as a treatment for sore, watery, irritated eyes associated with hay fever sufferers.

Ayurveda
Ayurveda is a holistic system of medicine based on the philosophy that each person is uniquely individual, and that illness impacts the body and mind collectively. As the traditional medicine of Indian for more than 5000 years, Ayurveda is the oldest recorded medicine known to mankind.

Ayurvedic healing may incorporate the use of herbs, nutrition, cleansing, acupressure massage, breathing, yoga, Sanskrit and astrology. According to ayurvedic practitioner, Rose Parsad, “In Ayurveda, we usually start looking to why the allergy has occurred rather than at the symptom by itself!”

Acupuncture & Oriental Medicine
If you would like to go deeper than treating the symptoms, acupuncture or Oriental Medicine (OM) may be a great place to start.

Acupuncture looks at the flow of energy or “qi” through the body’s pathways. From this view, blockages in the body’s energy stream result in disease. Tiny needles are placed along the pathways to balance qi.

Oriental Medicine is concerned with the internal and external causes of disease rather than the symptoms. An emphasis is placed on rebalancing qi using any number of treatments including the use of herbs, moxibustion, breathing, cupping and nutrition.

Neti Pot
The neti pot, the cousin of the old-time nasal syringe, is a form of nasal irrigation that has gained tremendous popularity over the past few yours. Neti pots are fabulous for clearing and soothing clogged and irritated nasal passages. 

Rather than trying to explain how to use a neti pot, here's a video ...

Seasonal allergies: the honeybee connection

"If bees were to disappear, [we] would only have a few years to live." ~ Albert Einstein

© Can Stock Photo Inc. / rssfhs

For centuries, humans have believed that there are health benefits in bee nectar. This unique substance is mentioned extensively in the Bible and the Quran as both precious and powerful. Honey's antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties found favor in ancient Egyptian, Greek and Roman civilizations as a home remedy for wounds and ulcers. Native Americans used honey to heal bee stings and cuts, as a facial, and to soothe burns and sore throats. In clinical studies, honey has shown promise in treating the prostate in Western Europe, and has been found to promote healing of other ailments when conventional treatments have failed.

Many swear by honey and other bee products as a natural remedy for pollen allergies. The belief is based on the theory that bees collect pollen from local flowers that cause allergies, so small amounts of the pollen, ingested regularly from honey, bee pollen, propolis or royal jelly, helps the body build up a tolerance to those local pollens.

Honey

According to the National Honey Board (NHB), honey “contains a wide array of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants”. Regarding free radicals, the NHB says, "In general, darker honey varietals have been shown to be higher in antioxidant content than lighter honeys. Additionally, honey has been reported to exert anti-inflammatory effects, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health."

Honey colors and flavors vary depending on the flowers visited. Colors run the gamut and it's not uncommon to find amber, red, brown and even black honeys on the market. Clover and alfalfa are most commonly sold yet many flavors, even specialty ones like lavender, exist. Darker colored honeys typically have a deeper flavor.

Additionally, honey is sold in several forms, including:

• Comb - the original form with the edible honeycomb intact

• Liquid - extracted from the honeycomb using centrifuge and filters to remove comb and pollen particles, resulting in a transluscent

• Natural crystallized - a semi-solid or granulated suspension

• Creamed - a spreadable combination of liquid and crystallized honeys, also called, 'whipped' and 'cremed'

• Raw - unheated, unpasteurized, unclarified, and unfiltered

Whatever form you choose, be sure to obtain honey from hives in your local vicinity - within 30 miles of where you live is good - for the best allergy relief results. Swallow a spoonful of honey as is or to mix with warm water or tea to soothe the throat, cough or inflammation. 

Bee pollen

Bee pollen is the male reproductive seed of the flower that is gathered, mixed with the bees digestive enzymes, and stored on the hind legs of the honeybee. Later, the pollen is collected in traps at the entrance to the hive.

Bee pollen is low in calories but rich in proteins, amino acids, essential fats, oils and sugars and contains some trace minerals and enzymes. Although pollen is consumed in small quantities that do not meet the daily requirements, it is beneficial for adding essential nutrients to an insufficient diet.

Like other protein rich foods, fresh pollen loses its nutritional value within a few days when stored at room temperature, so it is usually dried. Even though dried pollen is sensitive to sunlight, its shelf life can be extended for several months by storing at room temperature in a dark glass container or cool dark place. When stored properly, bee pollen obtained at the end of the farmer's market season (usually October) may last through the winter.

Bee pollen is antibacterial, antiviral, and rejuvenating. The pellets have a slightly nutty flavor and can easily be chewed as is or added to smoothies, applesauce, or yogurt. Start with a small amount and increase gradually as desired. It's advised to begin eating bee pollen in the fall or at least several weeks prior to allergy season for the best results.

Propolis

Propolis is a "sticky glue" formed from tree resins that are chewed and mixed with bee saliva. Propolis has so many benefits for health that it is considered a natural cure by the World Health Organization (WHO). Propolis actually protects bees from disease and climatic stresses. It is primarily used in healing ointments for its antifungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antiviral applications. 

It is often used as a sore throat gargle or a rinse for irritated eyes.

Royal jelly extract

Royal jelly (referred to as "bee's milk") is the partially fermented pollen-honey mixture produced by the salivary glands of worker bees (nurses). This pale, creamy substance is fed to young bee larvae and to the queen bee who lives off of it exclusively throughout her adult life. Quite naturally, this rare product is highly sought after for inclusion in beauty and reproductive health products and can be rather expensive.

Royal jelly contains vitamins B5, B6, and fatty acids in high concentrations along with water, sugars, amino acids, minerals, enzymes, and 10-HDA which is reported to be useful in treating problems resulting from tissue deficiency and frailty, as well as menopause, high cholesterol, colds, allergies, poor digestion and stress. 

Things to know

• Bee pollen and royal jelly have mistakenly been called "the perfect food" by product marketers. It is important to remember that bees have very different nutritional needs from humans. Also no one food is 'perfect' for everyone, nor does any one food source contain 100% of the nutrients needed by the human body.

• Bee pollen can be contaminated by mold, cleaning of hive debris, collections from chemically treated flowers, and colony disease treatments which decrease its nutritional importance. Likewise, since its high water content (67%) poses a contamination risk for royal jelly, some companies use chemical preservatives to ensure safety. Therefore, it is important to know the source of your product is both reputable and chemical free.

• Larger retail markets often carry bee products from outside the local or regional area. These are fine for sweetening, poultices, etc but for seasonal allergy purposes, local pollen is recommended.

• Farms and farmer's markets are an excellent source as you can ask farmers directly about their methods and quality. Food coops are another option as they access and support mostly local beekeepers.

Did you know?

The bee population is decreasing rapidly. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) the declining bee populations pose threat to global food security and nutrition! Aside from the potential extinction of yet another species, bees play a critical role in the human food supply. Nearly 1/3 of our foods rely on honeybees for pollination. The threat of extinction, therefore, places our food supply at risk. In the earlier mentioned survey, Bernard Vallat, the Director General for the World Organization for Animal Health stated, "Bees contribute to global food security, and their extinction would represent a terrible biological disaster." The US Dept of Agriculture has updates on Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) and honeybee survival. 

---

CAUTION: This content is provided for informational purposes only. Be sure to consult with a physician or primary health practitioner before adding any supplements to your normal diet. Anyone with a known allergy to bees stings and honey should avoid use of bee products in general as there is a possibility of producing an anaphylactic response which could have serious consequences.

10 Tips for Supporting Caregivers

We all know a family member, friend, co-worker, or neighbor, who is a caregiver of an aging, ill or disabled parent, spouse, sibling or child. Unless you’ve done this work of caregiving, there’s no real understanding of the limitations, the complexity of difficulty, or the toll it takes on the physical, emotional, spiritual and financial well-being of the caregiver. And although it’s extremely rewarding, it’s a very tough, never-ending job. 

It’s not uncommon for caregivers to give and give and give with little in return. Oftentimes the person being cared for is unable to reciprocate appreciation or affection, especially over time. As a result, many caregivers feel isolated, and for a number of reasons, are unable to ask for help. An elderly woman caring for a sick husband may fear losing her independence, the mother of a disabled child may worry about how she is viewed as a mother, a man caring for his demented mother may feel he’s not living up to his role as a son. There is an entire range of unspoken emotions and thoughts to deal with, none of them easy.

So, supportive interaction becomes critical to the stability and stamina of caregivers. Support must come from the heart, clothed in genuine love and compassion. There is no room for criticism or controlling gestures. Here’s how you can help:

1. Pick up the phone and call. Caregivers need human connection. More importantly, make the call about THEM. Ask how they are doing. Bring them some good news. Make them laugh. Do it often.

2. Give ample notice when extending an invitation. Attending something as simple as a lunch date or holiday party often requires advance arrangements to have someone ‘stand in’ to provide care. 

3. Learn about dementia, Aspergers, autism, cystic fibrosis, Parkinson’s, etc. Don’t be afraid to ask/talk about these conditions in an appropriate setting. Pretending nothing is wrong is isolating. 

4. Be aware that caregiving is very different from (and often more challenging than) raising children. With childrearing there is an end goal in sight. Your children are growing UP and, at some point, moving on to their own lives. Even as our children lose their innocence, there is a lasting sense of pride and joy that comes from raising a child into adulthood. With caregiving, temporary illness care aside, the opposite is usually true. There is a deep sense of loss (of that person, of one’s personal life, of one’s freedom from the situation, etc) that accompanies caring for someone who will never be independent or who is slowly moving toward the end of their life. 

5. Be sensitive.  Some caregivers are on limited or fixed incomes, sometimes having had to give up their job/career to care for someone else or living on part time employment wages. Something to consider when asking them to go out or travel. 

6. Visit. Traveling with a sick or disabled person is disruptive, often requiring both the caregiver and the one being cared for to go without resources they rely upon for activities of daily living. Traveling without one’s charge means finding someone trustworthy or paying HIGH fees for their care in your absence. So if there’s a family gathering or special occasion in the works, consider bringing it to the caregiver’s home! Since those being cared for usually respond best to routine schedules, be sure to include the caregiver in all the plans … and be prepared to lend a hand when you arrive.

7. Help them locate community resources - home care aides, physical or occupational therapists, chaplains, social workers, hospice. See if they are interested in attending a caregiver’s support group. If so, locate one (or several) and perhaps offer to go with them. This can be especially helpful for long time caregivers who’ve never sought help but are exhibiting signs of caregiver stress.

8. Ask how you can help. The caregiver knows what they need but may need a little coaxing. Be prepared for anything from ‘would you sit with him/her while I take a bath?’ to ‘can you recommend a ____?’. 

9. Know the signs of caregiver stress (denial, frustration, anger, guilt, social withdrawal, depression, lack of concentration, loneliness, exhaustion, unchecked health problems) and how it affects health. Encourage and do what you can to make it possible for them to take better care of themselves, to get out of the house, and to enjoy life.

10. Reassure them know you are there for them. And really, really be there when they need you.

9 natural UTI prevention tips

A urinary tract infection (UTI) or bladder infection occurs when harmful bacteria take up residence in the bladder or ureters (tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder where it is stored until emptied via the urethra). Urination is a natural process that flushes bacteria from the body.

Although infection can be caused by many things, women are at greater risk for UTIs than men. A shorter urethra and closer proximity to the anus, making them more likely to develop infection following sexual activity. Women who use a diaphragm, are pregnant, or have entered menopause seem to be more susceptible as well.

Other risk factors include diabetes, loose stools, extended periods of immobility, bowel and urine incontinence, surgery, having a catheter, advanced age, kidney stones, enlarged prostate, problems emptying the bladder, or anything blocking the flow of urine.

The most common symptoms include:

• Pain or burning when urinating 
• Foul smelling urine 
• Cloudy urine or traces of blood in urine 
• Frequent urination or inability to hold small amounts of urine 
• Weakness 
• Excessive tiredness 
• Back pain or pain below the rib cage 
• Pain or pressure in the rectum (men) 
• Pain or pressure near the pubic bone (women) 
• Mental confusion, refusal to drink water, or loss of appetite (elderly) 
• Nausea or vomiting 
• Fever or bleeding, if the infection has moved into the kidneys or bloodstream 

Image: lllu Urinary System by Arcadian is used here with permissions granted under the U.S. Public Domain (original works of the Federal Government)

Sadly, I've been down this road enough times with folks to know that the healing modality depends on the particular bacteria strain. A urine culture will reveal the strain of bacteria you are dealing with, and most doctors will tell you if a UTI can be managed without antibiotics. Something like ecoli (yes, you read that right) requires a remedy more powerful than what's discussed here. If you cannot take antibiotics or prefer not to, consult a qualified herbalist.

As for prevention or early first sign of UTIs, consider the following ...

1. Practice good genital hygiene. Avoid unclean public toilets. Keep a squeeze (perineal) bottle with warm water by toilet and use to wash front and back after eliminating, and be sure to ALWAYS wipe front to back. 
2. Always practice safe sex, exercise caution during sexual activities, and bathe afterwards. Be sure to properly clean intrauterine devices (IUDs). 
3. Cranberries contain hippuric acid which create an acidic environment, making the urinary tract unattractive to bacteria, and helps to inhibit their growth. Use a pure cranberry juice or tablet. For recurring UTIs (aka RUTIs), select a high dosage cranberry tablet with a non-acidic vitamin C (I favor Ester-C with Cranberry by American Health). 
4. A probiotic designed to reach maximum effectiveness in the lower intestine. (I highly recommend Ultra Flora Plus by Metagenics). 
5. Drink LOTS of fresh water. 
6. Avoid cheeses, carbonated and caffeinated beverages, chocolate, alcohol, yeast, and cigarettes to inhibit bacterial growth. 
7. Increase garlic, tumeric, clove and other spices with antibacterial properties, prunes and plums (for their hip pubic acid), plus grains, corn, beans, lentils, walnuts, and peanuts for their acidic value. 
8. Mix equal parts of tea tree, frankincense, bergamot, and juniper essential oils with EVOO or fractionated coconut oil and massage over bladder. Can also diffuse the essential oils into the air. 
9. Eat foods high in Vitamin C. A list of the best choices can be found at World's Healthiest Foods. 

Note: A bladder infection is a serious condition that left untreated or improperly treated can lead to severe complications, kidney damage, and even blood poisoning. Please consult a medical or naturopathic doctor if you suspect or develop an infection.

---

Image: Pyuria by Bobjgalindo is used here with permissions granted under the GNU Free Documentation License