Mar

11

Natural Allergy Remedy: Reduce Allergy Symptoms with Eucalyptus Oil

Filed Under Allergy Symptoms, Natural Allergy Treatment | Leave a Comment

Most people are aware of the use of eucalyptus in chest rubs. How many of us have childhood memories of mom rubbing the strong smelling cream on our necks and wrapping it with a scarf. What might surprise you are the multiple uses of eucalyptus oil for different allergy treatments that reduce allergy symptoms.

The most obvious use for eucalyptus oil is the relief of congestion. The properties of eucalyptus open up breathing passages and help eliminate mucus. That is why you can find eucalyptus in many lozenges and chest rubs marketed for colds and flu. You do not have to buy the pre-packaged products. You can use essential oils purchased at a health store or online. The oil can be added to a carrier oil or cream if you want to use it topically. Make sure that you are not allergic to it, as a skin reaction can occur. If you choose not to apply it topically, you can simply put a couple of drops on a cloth or even a tissue and put it near the head of the bed. Putting the cloth on a fan or air purifier will help diffuse it into the air.

An added bonus of diffusing eucalyptus oil in the air is the cleansing properties that will kill bacteria. Eucalyptus also kills dust mites; a common cause of allergy symptoms. If you have an item that attracts dust mites but is not easy to clean, you can use eucalyptus to take care of the problem. For example, if you have throw pillows on your couch that will not do well in a hot washing machine, you can throw them into a pillow case with a couple of drops of eucalyptus and put them in the dryer. The dust mites will be gone.

As you become aware of your own body and your own allergy symptoms, you will find the tricks that make every day more comfortable. Eucalyptus oil may be one of the little tricks up your sleeve that will help you overcome allergy symptoms with a natural allergy remedy.

Mar

2

Food Allergies: How Food Labeling Can be Deceiving

Filed Under Food Allergy, Allergy Diet | Leave a Comment

If you have a food allergy that you are aware of, you have already been through the sometimes difficult process of identifying the items causing your food allergies. You are already aware of the problems these foods give you and you are ready to feel better and live better. You may think that this is the end of the story and you can now take command of your life and your health. Unfortunately, some labeling practices may leave you guessing about what you are actually consuming and may prevent you from protecting yourself from allergens.

The first step in food allergy treatment is elimination. How can you do this when many ingredients are listed under unknown names or in a deceptive way on the ingredient list for your favorite food? Thankfully, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act (FALCPA) is one of the steps being taken to protect consumers from bad labeling practices. This act demands that any food with milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, and soy must have the food listed in an obvious way.

For example, if fish is used as a flavoring ingredient, it must be plainly listed instead of being referred to as merely ‘added flavoring’ or ‘artificial flavoring’. Also, if a technical term or other non-descript terminology is used for any of these ingredients, the common name must be added in parenthesis for easy identification.

If your food allergy does not fall under one of the categories the FALCPA covers or you live in an area where there is no such regulation, take the initiative to learn the various names by which your food allergen is referred so that you will recognize it on an ingredient list.

Allergy symptoms for food allergies can be very serious – even fatal. It is imperative that a person is able to read a label properly to protect them from what could be a severe allergy symptom. Take caution when reading a label. Make sure that you understand what is listed.

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