Annoyed by seasonal allergies & sickness? We can help!
Runny noses, itchy eyes, groggy head, scratchy throat, hives, eczema, itchy skin and nose… How about inattention, hyperactivity, short attention span, easily agitated, loud talking, and impulsivity? What do all of these symptoms have in common? ALLERGIES!
For my local folks, the Ohio Valley is rough on us and for everyone else - no one can evade the blooming trees and pollen boost of plant life. So WHAT do we do about it?
First, let’s understand what’s going on. When an allergen enters the body, our bodies create mediators - the most popular being histamine. Histamine is a neurotransmitter released from our mast (immune) cells that is there to help. Histamine dilates blood vessels so the immune system can enter in and clean up the threat - whether that be a food, pollen or other intruder that doesn’t belong in the body. Histamine is a necessary, good teammate in our immune systems function, but high levels can cause allergic reactions, influence our mood, and preferences (OCD traits that appear). Each body has its own level of tolerance - I like to call this your “histamine bucket”. Based on genetic and other factors, we each get a certain size bucket.
For example, a body that has a genetic lack of the DAO enzyme (breaks down histamine), will have a smaller “histamine bucket”, as the body has less resources available to clear histamine from the body. Each day we fill that up when the body inflames against pathogens (hello internal fungus, bad bacteria, parasites…etc.), when we eat foods that are high in histamine or release histamine, when we eat foods that we know or don’t know are provoking our immune system and when we encounter environmental allergens and toxins like pollen, molds, dust etc. When the bucket gets filled past overflowing, we then experience symptoms - whether they be the traditional allergy symptoms or the latter list of mental health related symptoms of peaking anxiety, impulsivity, inattention and more - this excess neurotransmitter spillover can leave us feeling pretty cruddy.
So, say you’re lucky to have a large “histamine bucket” but are still experiencing symptoms. What’s up? Your internal community of “bad” bacteria, fungus, “good” bacteria, mold, parasites and more can contribute. The overall spring seasonal pollen load can tip the bucket, but so can an ongoing environmental exposure to mold and toxins like solvents, gasoline, glyphosate and other chemicals. I recently delved into a kid’s case where the child tested very high for a chemical used in dry cleaning. Upon further digging, we learn that the same chemical is used to adhere the rubber component of astroturf fields together and the child was an active indoor soccer player. Turns out that overflow of this excess chemical was tipping the body’s histamine bucket and causing all sort of generally non-reactive foods to be reactive, seasonal allergy symptoms to explode and hyperactivity/impulsivity in the child was the presenting complaint.
With more chemicals and toxins in our world (it’s true, check out chemical patent rates over the 1900’s to now) the allergy rollercoaster can feel overwhelming for some and annoying for others. Let’s talk about some strategies for making seasonal shifts more manageable. If things still aren’t budging enough for your comfort levels, know that our team would love to help you uncover the contributing pieces and steer you down a path of healing.
Diet
Try on a low-histamine diet for a time. Eliminate top inflammatory foods gluten and dairy, which can thicken mucus. Avoiding foods that contain high levels of histamine, for a time, can remove some histamine from your “bucket” and give the body a break. Think “oldy and moldy foods” or aging foods - those that can age or have been aged or smoked. Bananas, salami, avocado, strawberries, spinach, smoked and aged meats, chocolate, citrus fruits, alcohol, eggs in large amounts, and fermented foods like kombucha and sauerkraut. If you’d like a copy of our low-histamine handout, reply and we’ll get it over to ya!
Love your liver
Your liver and gut work together to break down histamine and remove them from the body, so any supports we can offer to these two systems will improve symptoms. For the gut, we want to work on improving microbial and fungal balance and decrease any symptoms and their related connections - this means partnering with a practitioner. For the liver, anyone can help support through a variety of means. My favorites include: sauna, bitter foods, castor oil packs, dry brushing, lymphatic drainage, regular massage, drinking filtered water, cleaning up the diet, removing food additives, removing or limiting caffeine alcohol and sugar, increasing exercise. We can also support the liver with antioxidants in deeply colored fruits and veggies, green tea or turmeric, and selenium in Brazil nuts. Herbs like holy basil, milk thistle, licorice root and bupleurum are also helpful and can be found in plenty of teas on grocery store shelves. I love dandelion and nettles teas for liver and allergy support.
Local nasal allergen rinses
When using nasal rinses or sprays, follow box directions or rinse with saline several times a day. We want to rinse the nasal cavity, so send the liquid in, turn the head to both sides, front and back for 30 seconds each and then allow it to drain. I open my mouth to create a vacuum, that keeps the liquid inside. For kids, just getting the liquid into the nose can be helpful enough. I like the saline bottles that “shoot” for kiddos - easier entry!
Xlear nasal spray: xylitol for soothing and grapefruit seed extract for bacterial balance, suspended in saline, my favorite all-purpose nasal spray
Xlear rescue nasal spray: the “big guns”, contains more oils like tea tree, oregano as well as xylitol, grapefruit seed extract and saline
Saline ampules or neti pot: you can rinse with these alone, or add a drop of an antimicrobial like my favorite, Biocidin, to the rinse.
Supplemental support for allergies
Essential fatty acids or fish oils: Including omega-3 oils like borage oil, evening primrose oil or fatty fish oils from small fish like anchovies or sardines are anti-inflammatory
Quercetin: A plant chemical that is a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory is common in many allergy supplemental supports or can be taken alone and grabbed at your local health foods store.
Zinc: A strong immune modulator that helps by enhancing cellular immunity.
Vitamins E and A: Antioxidant vitamins that help offset oxidative stress.
Vitamin C: Ideally from natural sources and outfitted with citrus bioflavonoids, gives the body a boost for clearing histamine. I like Perfect Supplement’s Acerola powder or Innate C Complete powder.
NAC: Made famous by Covid, is derived from the amino acid l-cysteine, and is the common detox tool for an acetaminophen overdose. NAC is an antioxidant that is liver supportive, a precursor to glutathione (the body’s master antioxidant) and boost immune function.
Over the Counter Favorites
MediHerb Herbal Throat Spray: My personal purse-go-to the minute any of us have an itchy throat or nose/throat discomfort. Simply spray this multi-herbal in the mouth, to the throat, 4-5x a day, as needed and enjoy antimicrobial properties and a bit of numbing sensation - all from plants!
Homeopathics: There are various combos, but Genexa makes a fave product for kiddos called “Cold Crush” - this is a great, daily support, as needed. I also like Allium Sepa 30c, taken daily 1-2x - this is great for adults and children of all ages. Genexa also has a different formula, more geared at kids’ allergies called
“Allergy-D”.
Kids Allergy: Antihistamines can be the helper, especially when the body is upside down. What we’re looking for is the cleanest product available and Genexa Kids’ Liquid Allergy medication fits. This is your “clean” version of Benadryl. Still drowsy, still a medication - but still helpful when we need it!
Adult Allergy: While daily antihistamine use isn’t my favorite for anyone long-term (because why live that way if you don’t have to!), Target has the cleanest (not perfect) version of Claritin - it’s gluten free and very inexpensive.
Natural Adult Antihistamine: Our go-to for use in the practice is a product we can barely keep on the shelves at season change called Histoplex-AB. It’s great at opening up the sinus’ through the use of herbs and can be taken several times a day, on an as-needed basis or as a daily basis. This and it’s sister product Histoplex, have been my long-time go-tos for food reactions.
Supplemental DAO Enzyme: If you’re like me and struggle genetically with less histamine digesting DAO enzyme, I keep Histamine Digest, in my cabinet of helps. I use this in peak allergy season when I want to enjoy a food that is prone to tipping my histamine bucket.
As always, this is not medical advice and you should seek the support of your medical provider. Know that our team is here to support you through 1:1 practitioner care, hour consult calls to generally strategize around your health struggles or support you through teaching and specific recommendations!
