62. HEAL ALLERGIES A NATURAL WAY

Dear Grandma Donna: Jill came in from school wheezing, with teary eyes and a runny nose, because her allergies had flared up. Her mother immediately gave her an antihistamine. The medicine relieved her so that she drank chocolate milk and ate a hot dog with chips for her supper. What could her mom do to help her overcome her allergies? Love, Savana

Dear Savana: Unwittingly, Jill’s mother allowed her to eat the very foods that contribute to allergic reactions. I will describe allergies for you. 

Dr. Lee of Weimar Health Institute explains allergies in this way. Our immune systems manufacture antibodies to protect our bodies from disease-causing bacteria and viruses. With allergic people, the system produces as many as ten times the normal amount of a certain group of antibodies, which are known as immuno-globulin E (IgE). These antibodies attach to special cells and they explode when the allergen reappears. Possibly on that day Jill breathed particles of dust viruses or bacteria that made for an explosion.

The very best method to prevent these allergic reactions is to strengthen the immune system. A strong immune system will make the patient more resistant to the harmful substance that causes allergies. Antihistamines and decongestants work like band aids—they temporarily relieve the allergy symptom, but the real problem remains. And the real problem is a weakened immune system.

The first step in building immunity should be to omit the medicine and drink water. For children or even adults, it is wise to measure the amount of water needed in a container so the proper amount will be drunk. A good rule to follow is to drink daily as many ounces of water as one-half your body weight. If the patient weighs 120 pounds, he/she should drink 60 ounces of water, which would be approximately eight 8-ounce cups of water. Drinking plenty of water will strengthen immunity.

Daily exercise in the fresh air and sunshine is vital to building immunity. It also helps to practice regularity in eating, sleeping, and exercising times. Every person fighting allergies needs to do their utmost to be on a schedule that makes for regularity.

Since dairy and refined food are culprits to make allergies flare, food needs to be eaten in its natural state, which changes the diet to fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts. These foods immediately eliminate most leading causes of food allergies: dairy products, eggs, chocolate, shellfish, and fish.      

Many people who have been willing to change their lifestyle to strengthen their immune system, have overcome allergies. Plan for regularity in mealtimes and in rest, then follow this chart for planning meals:

Fruit                           2 or more servings daily                             

Vegetables                3 or more servings daily                               

Legumes and nuts  2 or more servings daily                              

Whole grains           6 or more servings daily                 

Water                        8 cups daily or 1/2 body weight in ounces                                                

To motivate  Jill or any young child to take the steps listed on the chart, rewards can be given. The big reward will be when red-rimmed eyes and runny noses go away and normal breathing comes to stay. AWAY WITH ALLERGIES!

PAPRIKA CHICKPEAS OVER RICE
2 T olive oil
1 large onion finely chopped
1 red bell pepper finely chopped
1/4 c tomato paste
3 cloves garlic minced
1 T paprika
1 15-oz can diced tomatoes
4 c chickpeas with liquid or 2 cans
salt to taste
Cook the chickpeas according to package directions
or buy 2 cans. Saute onion, bell pepper and garlic in
oil. Stir in the tomato paste and paprika and cook
2-3 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and chickpeas and
warm thoroughly. Serve over brown rice.