Antihistamines can suppress some of the symptoms ofthe immune response, but will not cure the underlying problem of deregulation. Long term use of histamines is potentially harmful. It is therefore best to explore other options.

Homeopathy: one option is homeopathy. Ideally you should see a homeopathic practitioner to find your particular "constitutional" remedy. There are, however, several remedies that are used on a first aid basis with hayfever. These include homeopathic "Pollen", and the remedies, Sabadilla, Solidago, and Allium Cepa. You might try one, or all of these remedies a few times (as a 6C, 12C, or 30C potency) to see if they help the problem. Homeopathic "complexes" for allergy (a mixture of several possibly relevant remedies) might also be tried.

Detoxicification: Holistic Medicine views toxicity as an important part of the Allergy picture. If the body is being overwhelmed by foreign substances, that can lead to the inappropriate allergic response. If we detoxify the system it is likely to function better. There are several strategies for detoxication. An essential part of all of them is diet! If you aren't eating more poisons it's easier to get rid of what is already there. Indeed, the body tends to store toxins while it is accumulating them, and begins to excrete them once you stop taking in more. Therefore, don't eat anything with additives: and avoid pesticides! This means 1/ minimising processed food; eating natural whole food, 2/minimising animal products (pesticides accumulate up the food chain!), and 3/ eating organically grown foods when possible.
Herbs also can be helpful. For instance, Dandelion root is a liver tonic that moves the body into a detoxifying mode. Dandelion leaf is a kidney tonic that help with excretion. Burdock is a liver tonic and a lymphatic tonic. Both these gentle herbs can aid detoxification.

Herbology; Herbs have other application in the treatment of allergies. Some of the deep immune tonics, like Siberian Ginseng, may help to return the immune system to more adaptive function. The use of astringent herbs, such as Cinquefoil, can help to reduce some of the symptoms of allergies in a gentle and natural manner.

Chinese Medicine, and the East Indian Ayuvedic Medicine, are complete self-contained therapeutic systems that can bring the body back into balance, and may be helpful with allergies.

Clinical Ecology is a controversial medical discipline devoted to the treatment of allergies and other environmental illnesses. It uses a number of alternative techniques to deal with allergies.

Diagnosis: Classical allergies can be diagnosed with sophisticated blood tests called RAST and ELISA, but if your allergies are not "classical", these tests will not give you the information you seek. The skin scratch tests used by conventional allergist are only 30% reliable. You would be better off flipping a coin! The skin prick tests of the Clinical Ecologists are only a little better. More promising are the various divining techniques, which include electrodermal testing (such as the "Intero"), and simple "muscle testing". The proponents of these diagnostic methods claim they are probing the bodies energy patterns. As a scientist, all I can tell you for sure about these techniques is that they are, in part, divining systems. However, if you were looking to dig a well you'd be well advised to use a water diviner. Likewise, if you are looking for allergies, then a divining system, in talented hands, may be the best short cut. Nonetheless, the only truly "reliable" way of establishing what you are allergic to is through observing the response to challenge.

Food Sensitivities: most people who have allergies will also have food sensitivities. Luckily, our food intake is one area where we have a great control. However, food sensitivities are often not "classical" allergies, and can be difficult to sort out.

When we are looking at food sensitivities we need to use a strategy of avoidance and challenge. Avoidance: often the body's responses to provoking stimuli are exhausted, so, to test for sensitivities to food you should avoid all suspect foods for four days to "unmask" the sensitivity, and then challenge.

Asthma is an allergy related problem that responds very well to Complementary Medical therapies. For more information call (416) 928 9272