- 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.

By Dr. Andrew Moore, D.C., A BioVeda Health and Wellness Center in Alamo Heights

1. Pollens. Pollens are the number one allergy triggers in the United States. Pollens are produced by vegetation – trees, grass and flowering plants – and are spread by air. When inhaled, they cause a reaction on people who are allergic to them. Most plant life release pollen into the air from spring to autumn, but there are also some plants that produce pollen in winter.

2. Animal hair. As lovable as dogs and cats are, the oil they secrete to coat their hair contains protein that can cause allergic reactions. The sad thing about it is that allergy to animal dander can develop over time and can end the relationship between a pet and its master.

3. Dust mites. Dust mites live in the dust that collect in homes and workplaces. They cannot be seen by the naked eye, and they feed on bacteria, fungi and dead skin cells in dust balls. The proteins that their waste products contain can cause allergic reactions.

4. Insect bites. An insect stings or bites as part of its defensive mechanism. However, when an insect bites, it leaves proteins in the skin that are also allergy triggers for some people. The allergy can manifest as mild swelling and itchiness, but it can also be life-threatening for some people.

5. Mold. Mold develops on damp and dark areas. When mold spores are touched or inhaled, they irritate the air tract and cause allergic reactions. Molds act almost the same way as pollens do, except that they persist even in sub-freezing temperatures.

6. Food. Some people are predisposed to developing allergies to food such as shellfish, peanuts, wheat and milk. Such people produce antibodies against the substances found in the food they are allergic to. When they eat this food, their antibodies release histamine and trigger allergic reactions. You can use food intolerance testing kit to identify possible food intolerance of your body for 96 different food types.

7. Latex. Latex is made from the sap of the rubber tree, and this sap contains proteins that can be an allergy trigger for some people. When these people come in contact with latex, they immediately show an allergic reaction. This can be problematic, given that many items used in the health care business are made of latex.

8. Medicine. Some people have immune systems that are not friendly with substances found in some drugs, like penicillin and salicylates. When these people ingest medicine containing these allergens, they can break out.

9. Perfume. There are people who cannot stand the smell of perfume, no matter how good the perfume smells. The chemicals in the perfume irritate the lining of their nose and trigger the allergy.

10. Cockroaches. Cockroaches are creepy; nobody likes them. But more than that, the proteins that their feces contain can irritate the skin and cause an allergic reaction.

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!