Herbal remedies for a healthy Spring
Nick Bunitsky
Issue date: 4/17/09 Section: Features
Spring has sprung, and with it comes allergies. Pollen, mold, and animal dander have been wreaking nasal havoc across campus and those of us affected are aching for actual relief that can fit into a budget. One possible answer is the use of herbal remedies.
Merriam-Webster's defines herbal medicine as "the art or practice of using herbs and herbal preparations to maintain health and to prevent, alleviate, or cure disease." Or in laymen's terms, using herbs to stay or become healthy.
Quite a few professionals in the Triad area practice various forms of these treatments. Among them is Dr. Susan DeLaney, who has offered up advice for this time of year in regards to some very special, very pervasive Spring ailments. ?
Allergies
Bee Pollen - Much like in the practice of homeopathy (the use of small diluted doses of a poison to increase immunity to it and boost the body's natural defenses against disease) this focuses on increasing the strength of our natural defenses. Taken in small doses before the season hits, one may experience reduced reactions. As Gale Maleskey once wrote in her book, "Nature's Medicines," "Take a small dose of what ails you, and your body builds up its defenses to fight it off."
Depression
St. Johns Wort - Also known as Hypericum, a yellow wild-growing flower, this plant has been used in anti-depression remedies for hundreds of years and continues to be one of the most effective. It also causes little to no side effects.
Vitamin D - According to Dr. John Jacob Cannell, Executive Director of the Vitamin D council, "vitamin D has profound effects on the brain including the neurotransmitters involved in major depression." A statement that is backed up by Dr. DeLaney - "…increased levels of vitamin D have been shown to be effective against depression, " said DeLaney.
Cold and Flu
Neti pot - A nasal irrigation pot is gaining popularity among organic remedy enthusiasts for its effective cleansing. It operates by cleaning out the sinuses of bacteria and organic film with the use of a saline solution. Even when not afflicted with a cold, the Neti pot has been recommended as a routine practice of nasal cleansing.
Merriam-Webster's defines herbal medicine as "the art or practice of using herbs and herbal preparations to maintain health and to prevent, alleviate, or cure disease." Or in laymen's terms, using herbs to stay or become healthy.
Quite a few professionals in the Triad area practice various forms of these treatments. Among them is Dr. Susan DeLaney, who has offered up advice for this time of year in regards to some very special, very pervasive Spring ailments. ?
Allergies
Bee Pollen - Much like in the practice of homeopathy (the use of small diluted doses of a poison to increase immunity to it and boost the body's natural defenses against disease) this focuses on increasing the strength of our natural defenses. Taken in small doses before the season hits, one may experience reduced reactions. As Gale Maleskey once wrote in her book, "Nature's Medicines," "Take a small dose of what ails you, and your body builds up its defenses to fight it off."
Depression
St. Johns Wort - Also known as Hypericum, a yellow wild-growing flower, this plant has been used in anti-depression remedies for hundreds of years and continues to be one of the most effective. It also causes little to no side effects.
Vitamin D - According to Dr. John Jacob Cannell, Executive Director of the Vitamin D council, "vitamin D has profound effects on the brain including the neurotransmitters involved in major depression." A statement that is backed up by Dr. DeLaney - "…increased levels of vitamin D have been shown to be effective against depression, " said DeLaney.
Cold and Flu
Neti pot - A nasal irrigation pot is gaining popularity among organic remedy enthusiasts for its effective cleansing. It operates by cleaning out the sinuses of bacteria and organic film with the use of a saline solution. Even when not afflicted with a cold, the Neti pot has been recommended as a routine practice of nasal cleansing.
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