- by Dr. Eric Herman, BioVeda Health and Wellness Center of Bethlehem, PA

The word “allergy” did not even exist a century ago, and yet, respiratory allergies today are the 5th leading chronic disease in the U.S. and are the 3rd most common chronic disease among children under 18 years old. [1] It has been estimated that one in seven Americans had a respiratory allergy in 1950, but one in four have one now.

Homeopathy is highly effective in the treatment of allergies and fully capable of stimulating the organism to heal to the point of complete relief from all allergy symptoms.

Many of us have suffered from allergies at one time in our life, and usually the best treatment offered was symptomatic relief through avoidance of the allergen or through medication. Homeopathy, on the other hand, addresses the cause of the sensitivity to allergens at the deepest possible level; avoiding the allergen (the substance responsible for the allergic response) or resorting to suppression of symptoms through ongoing symptomatic treatment becomes unnecessary once this sensitivity has been eliminated.

An Allergist is the medical specialist that commonly uses small doses of an allergen in order to desensitize a person to that allergen. This concept of using small doses of what might cause a problem in order to help prevent or heal the person is an ancient observation of healers/physicians all over the world, and it is the basis for a type of natural medicine called homeopathy.

It is therefore not surprising that one of the three physicians who founded the American Acade­my of Allergy was a San Francisco homeopathic physician, Dr. Grant L. Selfridge. [2] Another small and forgotten footnote in medical history involves a homeopathic physician from Scotland, C.H. Blackley, who in 1871 was the first physician to identify pollen as the cause of hay fever. [3]

The truth is that allergies can be permanently overcome. The body is incredibly made and has all the mechanisms built within that allow us to attain and maintain great health. Our innate healing abilities are so powerful that we naturally overcome the majority of problems we encounter in life.

“Think about this for a minute – what if headaches didn’t come and go, they just came and stayed? Or, imagine if you still had every cut, scrape and injury you had ever gotten – you would be a mess. Obviously, you naturally recover from many conditions because your body has internal healing capabilities”.

Symptoms are often mistaken as the cause of the problem, when really they are caused by the problem. Treating a symptom instead of a root cause is like turning off a fire alarm instead of putting out the fire. Take headaches for example. Say you choose to use aspirin or ibuprofen to control the symptoms. Time and time again, you must take these pills (why do you think you get so many aspirin in a bottle?). In most cases, the underlying cause of the headache is not changing and therefore the headaches keep coming back! Wouldn’t you rather target the underlying cause and stop the headaches from returning at all?

Do you think that taking various over-the-counter drug products for symptoms is the best way to deal with allergies? Why use temporary solutions over and over again? Your immune system needs to be normalized and strengthened so you do not have to live with allergy symptoms.

Do you know about the possible side effects of antihistamines and decongestants, the primary ingredients in many over-the-counter allergy medications? Many allergy products can cause nervousness, insomnia, dry mouth, negative reactions to other substances, stomach upset and over-sensitivity to sunlight. Additionally, many of these products will cause a rebound effect, a worsening of symptoms when the drug is discontinued. Homeopathy helps your body naturally overcome allergy symptoms with no side effects, while you stay fresh and alert.

Homeopathy is the purest form of natural medicine I have found. With over 200 years of clinical use, there are no negative side effects, no known reactions with other drugs, no contraindications for use and no addictive or habit forming properties. These outstanding results are unprecedented in the history of medicine.

Homeopathic medicines have become the first of all the natural remedies to be registered by the FDA as a drug product. Homeopathy offers a safe, natural solution backed by science, clinical experience, FDA registration and, most importantly, the tests of time.

Homeopathy is designed to work very quickly. Most people will notice initial results as early as 30 seconds to 3 minutes. Others may see results in a few minutes to a few days. Others experience a sense of lightness, accompanied by an emotional release. The corresponding sense of well being or an increase in overall energy, alertness and awareness indicates the healing response is taking place within you. Another positive sign of the healing response being activated is that you will require less and less of this natural medicine as time goes on, not more and more.

Homeopathic natural medicines are powerful. Homeopathy can be safely and effectively combined with nutritional and herbal products, as well as conventional drugs and procedures. The end results of using an all-natural approach are well worth it! Natural relief is a far healthier and often permanent solution.

Homeopathy is a very individualized healing art. A single remedy for one person with allergies may not be the same as that needed for another. Treating 10 people with allergy symptoms may require just as many different homeopathic remedies.

Homeopathy offers formulas designed to strengthen you from the inside by activating your body’s natural response system to stimulate its ability to heal itself. This approach offers relief of allergy symptoms, while formulas which work specifically on the immune system may even prevent future allergic reactions. A second approach in homeopathy acclimates you for the outside by providing homeopathic preparations of the specific weeds, grasses, trees, molds and pollens found in your geographic region. Over time, your body becomes less sensitive to the exposure of these allergens, reducing the severity and frequency allergic reactions. Using both of these approaches together provide the most complete approach to allergy correction.

Using The Bax Aura system Dr. Eric Herman and other Bioveda practitioners can assess thousands of environmental, chemical and food substances to determine which ones cause neurological stress. The Bax Aura harmonic imprinter can then create custom Homeopathic Medicines specific to your sensitivities. Imagine being able to pin point your exact needs and have a natural medication custom made for you. Can you think of any other doctor or clinic on the planet that can offer this? After taking your custom Homeopathic Medication for a period you can then return and be re-tested to specifically measure the degree of improvement you have experienced.

This contemporary homeopathic approach is the only treatment method besides immunotherapy or allergy tests and shots that offer a chance for lasting relief or potential cure from allergies. Obviously, homeopathy offers the simplest, safest, and less costly and time-invested approach. Homeopathic allergy relief is applicable to anyone with allergies and should be the practical first choice for allergy care and correction.   Contact a BioVeda Health and Wellness Center to learn more!

[1] Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America

[2] Cohen SG. The American Academy of Allergy: a historical review. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1979;64: 332-333.

[3] Reilly D, Taylor MA, McSharry C, Aitchison T. Is homoeopathy a placebo response? Controlled trial of homoeopath­ic potency, with pollen in hayfever as model. Lancet October 18, 1986; ii: 881-886.

Each year, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) declares May to  be ”National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month.” It’s a peak season for asthma and allergy sufferers, and a perfect time to educate your patients, family, friends, co-workers and others about these diseases. 

Each year, AAFA asks the President of the United States to officially designate May as National Asthma and Allergy Awareness month. We make it easy for you to join in the activities by inviting you to use AAFA materials and tools to bring healthy messages to work, school and home.

Get an Awareness Month Planning Kit from the EPA.

Spring Allergy Capital Rankings for 2010

There is no place safe from allergies in America, and some cities are more problematic than others. The Allergy Capitals is an annual research project of the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) to identify “the 100 most challenging places to live with allergies” in the spring and fall seasons. This year Knoxville, TN, has risen to the top. Visit to see where over 100 cities are on the list this year.

The rankings are based on scientific analysis of 3 factors for the 100 largest metro areas in the U.S. The data measured and compared each year includes:

• Pollen scores (airborne grass/tree/weed pollen and mold spores)*
• Number of allergy medications used per patient
• Number of allergy specialists per patient

Top 5 Spring Allergy Capitals for 2010:

1. Knoxville, TN
2. Louisville, KY
3. Chattanooga, TN
4. Dayton, OH
5. Charlotte, NC

Asthma Capital Rankings for 2010

No city is free from asthma triggers, and some cities are more challenging places to live than others. This year, Richmond, VA, has been named the top “Asthma Capital” in our annual ranking of “the 100 most challenging places to live with asthma.” Visit www.AsthmaCapitals.com to see where over 100 cities are on the list this year.

- by Dr. Gary Douglas

This article discusses pollen and allergy season and ways to ease your symptoms, like sneezing,  naturally.

10 Ways to Ease Your Allergies Naturally

While the flowers and warmer temps are welcome signs of spring, sneezing, stuffy noses and watery eyes are mainstays of the season you could probably do without. Yes, pollen and all of their allergy-aggravating friends are back! Try these simple, natural ways to leave allergies—and all the runny noses, dry eyes and wheezing—in the dust.

Fight back with folic acid!

People with high levels of folic acid experience fewer allergies, according to the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Folic acid may help regulate the immune system’s response to allergens. Eating more whole-grain breads and legumes, both great sources of the nutrient, may help you tuck away those tissues.

Make a clean sweep

Once a week, scrub down the house with hypoallergenic, fragrance-free cleaners and wash your bed sheets in hot water (130 degrees) to kill dust mites and banish pollen. Be sure to choose impenetrable mattress, pillow and comforter covers. Finally, make sure your vacuum has a HEPA filter, which will trap dust and pollen. Choose one labeled “true” or “absolute” to get the job done right.

Know when to expect sneezing

Track pollen counts at Pollen.com and plan on closing your windows and turning on your air conditioner or dehumidifier to keep out allergens when numbers are skyrocketing. On windy days, or a few days following high winds, pollen count is high because pollen has been spread throughout the air, and mold spore counts can be high after a heavy rain. You may want to consider moving your jog from the park to the gym on those days.

Kick off your shoes

Your treads can track in pollen, grass, mold and other allergens, so check them at your door when you come home. You’ll also have much less dirt in the house!

Wipe down your dog

Lucky may be cute and loving, but he is also a host for allergy inducers like pollen, which you breathe right in when you pat, hug and play with him. After a walk or backyard playtime, wipe down your “best” friend with a damp towel before letting him in the house, You’ll both be healthier for it!

Work out at dusk, not dawn

Morning dampness increases mold counts in the air and early afternoon temperatures cause plants to open up and release more pollen, so the best time for hitting the park is at dusk rather than during daylight hours.

Spice things up

Wasabi and cayenne pepper can cause your nose to run, which, while annoying, serves to flush out allergens. Turmeric acts as a natural inflammatory, stifling allergy symptoms. Have an extra smidge of the green stuff with your sushi to say “bye-bye” to sinus aggravation this time of year, and be free with the cayenne pepper in chicken dishes and turmeric in curry dishes. The omega-3 fatty acids in salmon, sardines, herring, cod and mackerel also have anti-inflammatory powers. Eat up, and breathe easier, too.

Pick up a neti pot

Allergists say the small gadget, which resembles Aladdin’s lamp, is a great way to clear out pollen particles. To use it, fill it with lukewarm, lightly salted water. Tilt your head to one side and slowly pour the water into the higher nostril; breathe through your mouth as the water travels back out the opposite nostril. It may not be pretty, but neither are watery eyes and red noses! Find one at your local health food store or pharmacy, and use it over the kitchen sink or tub to prevent a mess.

Stay sneeze-free

Feel tip-top when you travel by choosing a hypoallergenic hotel room free of up to 98% of bacteria and cleared of allergens from all surfaces, fabrics and airflow. Find allergy-free accommodations at PureRoom.com.

Pucker up

Kissing for half an hour may provide relief from hay fever, a study in the Journal of Psychosomatic Research showed. Whatever the reason, grab your sweetie and give those allergies the kiss-off!

Information Credited to: Lucy Danziger, Happier, Healthier You

- by Jennifer, Guest Columnist

The Holidays are fast approaching, and it’s that time of year again… my sneezing, itchy eyes, and runny nose are in full effect.  From the burning of artificially scented candles to the smell of real Christmas trees, I feel like my sinuses are being assaulted at every turn.  I have suffered from allergies and asthma since I was a little girl, and the holidays have always been a difficult time of year for me.  If you add seasonal colds and flu to my allergies and asthma, it adds up to headaches and chronic fatigue, not to mention a constant feeling of stress.

To keep the holidays from triggering my asthma and allergies, we use an artificial Christmas tree in our home.  If you must have a live evergreen tree, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation offers the following tips:

If a live evergreen tree is a tradition you cannot live without, the following tips should help make this year’s tree a treasure rather than trouble.

• Wipe the trunk thoroughly with a solution of luke warm water and diluted bleach (1 part bleach to 20 parts water) to eliminate any mold.
• Some evergreens, particularly junipers and cedar, may be pollinating even in winter look for a yellowish tinge on the trunk and needles.
• Before bringing the tree inside, use a leaf blower (in a well-ventilated area away from the house or garage) to remove visible pollen grains.

We steer clear of spray-on snow and pine scented oils that some families use to make their artificial tree more life-like, as they can trigger asthma and allergies for many sufferers.  We avoid holiday flower arrangements and all artificial scents.  If I want my house to smell like cookies, we bake homemade, all natural chocolate chip cookies, rather than burning a scented candle or potpourri.  I avoid outdoor activities that may include a bon fire – no roasting marshmallows for me!  Of course, I try to get plenty of rest, exercise, and take a multi-vitamin to keep my immune system in the best shape possible.

Being so vigilant about my allergies and asthma leaves me feeling like I’m missing out on the joys of the season, so this year I’m asking Santa for something different.   I’m giving BAX 3000 Neurological Stress Reduction Therapy by BioVeda Technologies a try.  I’m hoping next Christmas I’ll be thinking about the sights, sounds, and scents of the season rather than the allergies, asthma, and headaches they bring with them!  Why not give yourself or your loved one the gift of wellness this season?  Contact BioVeda today!

The following article is provided by Dr. Jeremy Johnson with BioVeda Health and Wellness Center of Spring Hill, TN.

Allergies may seem straightforward: You’re exposed to allergens like dust, mold or animal dander, you get watery eyes, you sneeze and you feel miserable. But you may be surprised to learn why some people suffer more than others. Here, are some shocking facts about what may really be making you feel bad.

1. It may not be your pet that’s causing your allergies.
“It could be something else entirely,” says Jeff May, an indoor air quality expert and coauthor of Jeff May’s Healthy Home Tips. “Dust mites from your animal’s bed (or yours), or mold underneath antiques in small spaces” are possible culprits, he says. Even homes without pets can have a pet allergen problem. In fact, a study from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences reports that more than 99 percent of homes in the U.S. have detectable cat or dog allergens even though less than half of those homes have a dog or cat living there. Allergens can hitch a ride on other people’s clothes and they’ve been discovered in schools, hospitals, shopping malls, cinemas-and even in the offices of allergists.

2. Obese children and adolescents have a higher risk of allergies.
Especially food allergies, a study in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology notes. Researchers analyzed data from over 4,000 subjects ages 2 to 19, and discovered that obese participants were about 26 percent more likely to have allergies than children of normal weight. The rate of food allergies was especially troublesome-59 percent higher for children who were obese.

3. Your sneezes around your daughter’s new kitten may be more than just a cold.
“You can grow up with pets and still develop allergies to them as an adult,” says Morris Nejat, MD, of the New York Allergy and Sinus Centers. “Having a pet gives you an immunity that can be lost when you leave that environment-to move away and start your own life, for example. If you then bring an animal into your own home, you may have lost your immunity and developed an allergy to your new pet.”

4. Plants aren’t as healthy as you think.
Unfortunately, “plants do not purify the air,” May says. “Put a thin layer of gravel on top of each plant’s soil-this helps keep debris in the plant, protecting you from mold allergens,” recommends James M. Seltzer, MD, chairman of the Indoor Environment Committee of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. “Even silk plants can cause mold,” Dr. Seltzer says.

5. Trouble breathing? Don’t look to your lungs, look to your gut.
Upsetting the normal balance of microflora in your stomach and intestines can change your entire immune system, researchers at the University of Michigan Medical School report, intensifying your body’s response to common allergens like pollen or animal dander. According to scientists, our modern diet and increased use of antibiotics may be at fault. Safeguard your health with a diet low in sugar and high in raw fruits and vegetables, especially following treatment with antibiotics.

6. Allergies can trigger bad breath.
“For some people, a dry mouth, caused by taking antihistamines for allergies or by the postnasal drip that streams down the back of your throat during allergy attacks, can result in bad breath,” says Cyril Meyerowitz, DDS, director of the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, part of the University of Rochester Medical Center in Rochester, New York. “Sometimes tiny pieces of food lodge on the tongue or in the crevices of your tonsils and cause a nasty odor.”

What exactly is an allergy? An allergy is simply an inappropriate response from your body to a normally harmless substance. For example, you and I are going to eat eggs for breakfast, we make the eggs together in the same pan with all the same ingredients, we both sit down to eat them at the same time and afterwards you have a reaction and I don’t. So was it the egg that caused the problem, or was it your bodies reaction to the egg that caused the problem? It was your body’s inappropriate reaction to the egg.

So what are you to do about these allergies or reactions to certain foods or pollutants? Keep taking pill after pill or shot after shot. There is a new therapy available now that can actually eliminate your need for the redundancy and provide long-term relief. It is called Neurological Stress Reduction Therapy (NSRT), and it uses an FDA cleared device for consistent, pain-free and effective treatment. This device is called the BAX-3000 and it can actually “re-program” your system to not have the negative reaction any longer, so that next time you eat an egg you will not have the reaction again.

There is a direct correlation between stress and allergy symptoms and understanding how they are related is an important part of utilizing our therapy to its full potential. Recent research shows that general stress can cause symptoms of allergic reactions to be twice as severe. Histamine production is significantly greater when the individual is under stress. Reducing stress significantly reduces the expression of allergy symptoms and the presentation of positive stimulation via substance specific light therapy can modulate the stress response.

The answer is that allergies and specifically allergy symptoms can be alleviated by reducing stress. Our technology was designed to reduce stress and in that scope can provide a benefit to patients suffering from allergy symptoms.

If you are suffering with allergies or food sensitivities and having symptoms such as: IBS, fibromyalgia, headaches, eczema, sinuses, chronic fatigue, etc… The BAX-3000 may be able to help. For more information visit BioVedaWellness.com or if you are in the Spring Hill, TN area call Back to Health Family Chiropractic, a Bioveda Health and Wellness Center at 1-877-756-4233 for a free consultation to see if you are a candidate for this exciting new therapy.