Springtime Allergies

Preparing for Allergy Season

If you suffer from Seasonal Allergies and every year must take over the counter medications to stop the symptoms, let me tell you there is another way, a natural way to support your system and to break the cycle of inflammation. This takes a little time and effort, but the payoff is priceless. It is estimated that 40 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. During an allergic reaction the body releases a substance called histamine that can lead to symptoms such as sneezing, wheezing, runny nose, and itchy, watery eyes. Many turn to prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including antihistamines, for relief from symptoms. Unfortunately, these medications are often associated with unwanted side effects such as drowsiness, weight gain, head ache, and anxiety.

Having been an allergy sufferer myself for years, I speak from experience.

The best time to deal with your allergies is before they begin. Last month’s newsletter talked about doing a Spring Cleanse by eliminating offending foods and starting the process of healing the gut.

If you haven’t done it, this is a good time to Eliminate dairy, gluten, baked flour products, packaged juices, and sugar. Reducing your exposures to known food and environmental triggers as much as possible reduces the inflammatory load on your body so it can start to heal.

How’s your digestion? If you have reflux, indigestion, or constipation, these may be a sign that you need to do some healing in this area. Herbs are great for the gut and you can set up an appointment with me to discuss this further if you need assistance.

Next a good probiotic helps to support the immune system and is recommended.

Add a supplement that contains the following:

· Freeze Dried Stinging Nettle: This is a safe, natural antihistamine that does not make you drowsy, and reduces seasonal allergies very effectively. The nettles have to be freeze-dried to do their job. Safe in pregnancy

· Quercetin: 500 mg daily (half that for kids). Quercetin is a plant pigment found in many common herbs and foods, and a very reliable anti-inflammatory nutritional supplement. It helps with gut repair, boosts the immunity in your mucus membranes reducing reactivity to seasonal allergens, and also helps reduce food allergies. There is conflicting data on whether it is safe in pregnancy. Do not take it during the first trimester and limit your dose to 250 mg/day thereafter if you’d prefer to use this over a conventional pharmaceutical while pregnant.

· Zinc: Take an age appropriate dose daily

· Buffered Ascorbic Acid: Take up to 2000 mg daily in divided doses. This is an excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.

And it just so happens that I carry a tried and true product called HistaEze™ in the Shop!

HistaEze™ features a unique blend of ingredients designed to help ease the effects of seasonal allergy symptoms, including many listed above!

· Tinofend®, a patented, all-natural plant extract that may help maintain a healthy immune response and has been shown in clinical studies to significantly reduce allergy symptoms.

· Quercetin & Vitamin C inhibit the release of histamine and are commonly used to help with the support and management of seasonal allergies. Quercetin, a flavonoid with antiinflammatory effects, is a substance found in many common foods such as apples and citrus fruits.

· Nettle leaf, an age-old herb used for fighting allergies, contains a number of nutritional components, including vitamins, minerals and bioflavonoids, which contribute to its antihistamine effect.

· Bicarbonate salts are included for their role as immediate antihistamines, and for their ability to lessen potential drowsiness experienced by those who may also be taking antihistamine medications

Other suggestions:

Nettle & Rosehip tea with local honey

Nettles contain Quercetin, see above. Rosehips are one of the highest sources of Vitamin C that nature has to offer and Vitamin C increases absorption of Quercetin. Pair this tea combo with local honey for a tasty way to prevent and treat common allergy symptoms naturally!

Local bee pollen strengthens the immune system as it contains trace amounts of allergens, allowing for the body to stimulate its own resistance and strive towards homeostasis. I suggest beginning with just a few granules a day and working up to 2 teaspoons daily.

For agitation or irritability with allergies; try lavender or bergamot essential oil between the palms, in bath or in an aromatherapy diffuser.

Other helpful herbal support may include tea or tincture of wild oats, skullcap and/or chamomile.

By taking these steps now you can go a long way to reduce and/or eliminate your allergy symptoms.

Stop in today to the Journey Health Shop and we can help you with many of the products listed above.