New treatments for cedar sufferers

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Cedar season has officially hit Central Texas. Many cedar sufferers use over the counter medication, but there are natural, alternative treatments that offer relief. At the Plum Blossom Wellness Center in Austin, Natural Health Consultant Celeste Brinson treats allergy sufferers with simple diet changes.

"Seasonal allergies, it's what people think they'll have for life," said Brinson. "They don't. Cutting down on sugars, carbohydrates, anything in a can or in a box."

Brinson recommends cutting out cheese products, fatty meat and refined sugars like desserts. Instead, she recommends eating foods like garlic, plain yogurt and lots of vegetables. Also, she advises allergy sufferers should drink plenty of herbal tea.

"Essentially what we're doing is building the immune system, so it's going to defend pretty much anything that you encounter," said Brinson.

John Goode has lived in Central Texas for the last 20 years. He has suffered from cedar fever every single year.

"You know January's coming," said Goode. "You just got to bear with it."

For more information, visit the Plum Blossom Wellness Center's Web site.