I have also found that chamomile, catnip, valerian root, or scullcap tea
can help get one over the worst of the allergy symptoms, especially when used
in conjunction with C and an antihistamine/decongestant.  Those reactions --
itchy eyes, runny nose, etc -- are due to the sudden, massive production by
the body of histamines in reaction to something it considers to be The Enemy,
whether it's a virus, dust-particles, mold spores, animal dander, bee-stings,
or even something that at other times it has no reaction to at all.  In
essence, the body goes into overdrive as it mobilizes to Destroy The Enemy.
But if The Enemy is some _non-living_ thing, like dust or pollen grains or
whatever, things that are big enough and far more than sturdy enough to
resist the body's attempts to subdue, destroy, and evict it, then the
reaction can go on and on and on.  Normally, when we're healthy, the body has
no trouble recognizing such things as Objects to Go In the Garbage and simply
flushing them out, if at all possible -- but if we are deficient in one or
more important nutrients, then essentially our immune systems develop the
biochemical equivalent of paranoid schizophrenia, and go after the Objects as
if they were Darth Vader ... and just don't stop until said Objects are gone
and/or they can somehow recognize them for what they are and deal with them
appropriately.  If, however, the panicking immune system can be calmed down
at all -- and antihistamines are really just over-the-counter-tranquilizers,
after all -- then the allergy symptoms begin to disappear, as well.
Chamomile and other "relaxing" herbal teas are great calmitives, with just
this effect.
 
[Posted in FML issue 0774]