A Brief Seasonal Allergy Guide
Managing seasonal allergies naturally involves a combination of lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and herbal remedies. Here are some quick tips to help you alleviate symptoms:
Local Honey: If we’re friends in real life and you come to me asking what you can do for seasonal allergies? This is the first thing I’ll say to you. Consuming local honey may help build tolerance to local pollen, sort of like an innoculation via a food source. Brilliant, right? Bees collect pollen from local plants, and consuming honey made from this pollen may help desensitize your immune system to it so when you get exposed, your body doesn’t freak out so much… and while you’re at it, be sure to reduce exposure to added sugars other than local honey as disregulated blood glucose can increase your systemic inflammatory levels.
Quercetin-rich Foods: Quercetin, is nature’s antihistamine! This amazing compound can be found in everyday foods like onions, apples, berries, and citrus fruits. Including these in your diet may help reduce symptoms from seasonal allergies. What’s also amazing? You can take it in a pill form if that feels easier to you. Cool, right?
Nettle: The second thing I’d probably tell you about is probably Nettle leaf. This beautiful herb is also a natural antihistamine and anti-inflammatory herb. Drinking nettle tea or taking nettle supplements may help alleviate allergy symptoms. I always keep some nettle tea in my medicine cabinet, just in case. (I get it in bulk from my local co-op or in tea bags from most grocers.)
Butterbur: While we’re stocking up on herbs, Butterbur is another herb known for its antihistamine properties. It can help reduce inflammation and allergic reactions. However, consult with a healthcare professional before using butterbur, as it may cause side effects for some folks.
Turmeric: Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has anti-inflammatory properties that may help alleviate allergy symptoms. While you’re chillin’ in the produce section, look for that weird-lookin root plant that kinda looks like ginger but is bright orange on the inside. Try incorporating turmeric into your cooking or consider taking curcumin supplement if you don’t like the flavor (psst. you can get them at Costco and on amazon… just check to make sure they’re 3rd party tested).
Probiotics: “The immune system starts in the gut!” Gut health is closely linked to immune function. Consuming probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables can help support your immune system and potentially reduce allergy symptoms. You can also buy a supplement at the store or online: for best results choose one with 5 or more strains and rotate to a new probiotic every time you buy a new bottle. In fact, Seeking Health (my fave supplement company) has a probiotic targeted at lowering systemic histamine! Try it out!
Stay Hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps thin mucus and flush out allergens from your system. Aim for at least 8 glasses of water per day. Keeping a stainless steal or glass water bottle or jar with you at all times is a great tip for helping with that. For bonus points, add a pinch of Himalayan pink salt and a squeeze of lemon for electrolytes.
Saline Nasal Rinse: Using a saline nasal rinse can help clear out nasal passages, reducing congestion and relieving allergy symptoms. You can use a neti pot, “NAVAGE” (a fancy electronic Neti Pot), or a saline nasal spray for this purpose. A neti pot or navage will actually help flush out your nasal passages though… it sounds unpleasant, but it’s actually super helpful.
Steam Inhalation: Inhaling steam can help soothe irritated nasal passages and alleviate congestion. Add a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint essential oil to hot water and inhale the steam. You can do this in the shower or buy a steam inhaler on amazon.
Close Windows: …and buy an air purifier (i’ve got an air doctor and I love it). Keep windows and doors closed during high pollen seasons to prevent pollen from entering your home… but once that season is over, open them back up: outside air is often LESS toxic than inside air.
Shower and Change Clothes: After spending time outdoors, shower and change your clothes to remove any pollen that may have collected on your skin and clothing…. and grab some essential oils and steam while you’re at it!
Reduce Stress: Stress can exacerbate allergy symptoms. Practice stress-reducing techniques such as meditation, yoga, deep breathing exercises, prayer and reading the Bible…. can help you manage stress… and therefore manage allergies. If you need help with these things, I always incorporate stress-reduction and whole-person-health habits and activities into my clients programming. And by the way? If you don’t want to do these things or feel like you don’t have time for them? you probably need them most.
Remember to consult with a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
And also, remember you have so much power over your own health. Your daily decisions, lifestyle factors, overall diet, and lifestyle can greatly affect your ability to deal with allergies. I hope these tips help! If you have further questions, send me an email. I’d love to hear from you.
I hope you feel better soon!
