Seasonal Sniffles

It's that time of year again when an outdoor stroll becomes a walk through a field of chopped onions. With that being said, check out these healthy suggestions to cope with your allergies.

 

By Rob Ayoup, ND

 

Here comes the sun and with it comes nasal itching, sneezing, congestion and a runny nose. Allergies occur when the immune cells produce antibodies directed at a specific allergen — take tree pollen for instance. Think of antibodies as individualized flags that attach to pollen particles in the upper reaches of our nasal passage once breathed in. This flag signals the immune system to create an inflammatory reaction against the pollen, mistakenly labelled as an invader in the body. Seasonal allergies are often caused by tree, grass and weed pollens,
whereas perennial/continual allergies are typically due to dust mites, mould and animal dander. If you suffer from either of these, consider the following for natural help:

 

An alternative measure

 

Many allergy sufferers find that acupuncture is effective in alleviating allergies. Acupuncture allows the body to heal naturally without chemical substances by stimulating points on the surface of the body. According to the traditional Chinese medical viewpoint, a deficiency in the lung and kidney’s ‘defensive-Qi’ (think the immune system in Western medicine) along with the retention of chronic ‘wind’ in the nose often underlies allergies. So when it comes to allergies, acupuncture focuses on the lung and kidney Qi while reducing wind symptoms.

 

Supplemental help
Consider speaking to your doctor about supplements. These can be categorized according to their therapeutic effects:

  • Natural antihistamines : Histamine is a substance that lines our blood vessels, which is typically released during allergic reactions. Quercetin, grape seed extract and vitamin C are potent antioxidants with known anti-histamine effects. All are well-tolerated, however, if you are prone to kidney stones or hemochromatosis (excess iron storage) talk to your doctor about refraining from high doses of vitamin C.

  • Natural decongestants : In addition to drinking lots of warm water to thin out excess mucus, bitter orange is another consideration, which contains synephrine, a substance similar to the active ingredient in conventional decongestants. (Bitter orange should not be taken with high blood pressure or cardiovascular diseases or be combined with caffeine or MAO inhibitors due to potential side effects.)

  • Natural leukotriene inhibitor: Leukotriene is a substance released
    by the body in response to allergens and is often responsible for nasal congestion. Butterbur is an herbal medicine well-studied in its effect in reducing both leukotrienes and histamines. Extracts of butterbur containing eight milligrams of petasin and isopetasin — its active ingredients — are usually recommended by health experts. (Ironically, those allergic to ragweed should be cautious with its use given that butterbur is related to the ragweed family.)

    • Diet considerations
    Try temporarily replacing dairy products with rice-based fortified products (such as rice cheese and rice milk). Dairy can increase mucus secretions, adding to an already ‘congested situation. Omega-3 fats can also help minimize allergy-based inflammatory reactions. Consider getting your omega-3s through flax and chia. Not to mention, evidence suggests that green tea may provide relief from allergies. In 2002, researchers in Japan identified a compound in green tea that, in laboratory tests, blocks a key cell receptor involved in producing an allergic response. The compound, methylated epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), may have a similar effect in humans. If allergies are already established, there are things you can do around the home to prevent exacerbations. Start by washing your pillows and blankets in hot water every three to four weeks to remove dust
    or keep your windows closed during allergy season. Of course, speak to your doctor if you have any concerns about new diet or medicines that can impact your allergies.

    Bonus tip

    The following supplements are also known to fight allergies :

    Astragalus: As a famous herb in the world of Chinese medicine, astragalus is known to stimulate the immune system. (Those with auto-immune conditions such as multiple sclerosis or rheumatoid arthiritis should refrain from using astragalus.)


    Bromelain:     group of protein-digesting enyzymes from pineapple, this natural agent breaks down mucus in the upper respiratory tract, making it easier for you to expell. (Note that bromelain may interact with anti-coagulant medications.)