AUSTRALIAN NATUROPATHIC NETWORK
 Serving the community since 1998

The following case studies do not represent implemented treatment programs. They are protocols developed by students in the course of their studies, and should be taken as examples only.

Note - Anyone suffering from the conditions described below should seek advice from a primary health care practitioner. No responsibility is taken for any individual attempting to use the treatments described in these studies.

Discuss your management of allergic rhinitis in a 25 year old man. He has tried eliminating dairy from his diet but didn’t find any relief. He takes garlic and horseradish tablets which give some relief but he finds he still gets bad sinus headaches and sore, stinging eyes which often stop him from working the hours he needs to in front of the computer. It is definitely worse in Spring and Autumn. He doesn’t smoke. Diet is mostly take-away but would like to learn some simple dishes he can cook at home. Drinks 2 beers every night, with more on weekends. Lives alone in a dark, musty flat near the train station.

Signs and Symptoms

• Water nasal discharge, sneezing, itchy eyes and nose
• Usually associated with a particular season

Causes and mitigating factors

The causes of allergic rhinitis are similar to those for asthma. It is a result of allergy to environmental pollutants (smoke, fumes, asbestos), or seasonal conditions (dust, pollen, spores). The allergic reaction often occurs when there is an accumulation of mucus, which traps and holds the allergens.

Allopathic medicines tend to mask the symptoms, and also have a rebound effect. The more they are used the more they are needed. Cortico-steroids used for treatment of this allergy over a long period will depress the immune system and impede the elimination of the allergy.

Treatment Goals

• Detoxify the body’s internal environment
• Reinforce and boost immune system to build resistance to allergens
• Provide relief from symptoms

Non-pharmacological measures

Diet

• Start with a diet that reduces and eliminates mucus (fresh fruit and vegetable juices, herb teas, vitamin C with bioflavonoids, garlic/onion syrup tds) (3 to 7 days)

• Progress with a diet to prevent the build up and formation of mucus (fresh vegetables and fruits, whole grains, cultured foods such as yogurt, raw dairy, and seafoods) (4 to 6 weeks)

• Then maintain a low allergy diet

• Avoid all refined and preserved foods, sugars, caffeine, dairy products, and fatty, mucous forming foods.

Micronutrients

• Vitamin C with bioflavonoids, Coenzyme Q10, B complex.

Exercise

• Start with deep breathing and walking exercises
• Relaxation and stress management

Other

• Either move from the flat or start getting fresh air flow – maybe buy an air purifier.
• Teach some simple recipes for low allergy diet
• Reduce alcohol intake

Herbal Treatment

The classes of herbs required include:

Immunostimulants – to enhance body’s ability to deal with allergens

Anticatarrhals – to reduce mucous build up and provide some symptomatic relief

Anti-allergenics – to reduce reaction to allergens

Antiinflammatories – to reduce inflammatory reaction

MM tonics – to restore mucous membrane tone

Antimicrobials – to reduce risk of secondary infection

Formula

Dosage – 5ml tds

Would also suggest continued use of Allium sativum in tablet or raw form (preferably raw)

Cautions & Contraindications