The Way I See It…

My mother and brother experience the negative effects of allergies, especially seasonal allergies, and it doesn’t look like fun.  Although I am not a proponent of allergy medication, after trying them, they both agree that the side effects do not outweigh the benefits.  Allergy medication and anti-histamines have side effects like, fatigue, brain fog and weight gain [1][2].  As well, the latest research shows a strong correlation between taking anti-histamines and increased risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease [3].  Since we are heading into the height of allergy season in London, Ontario, I am writing this to offer natural solutions, so you can experience the benefit of allergy relief without the side effects of medication.

The Bucket Theory…

A true allergy is an abnormal reaction by your nervous system to something that is completely harmless.     Let’s imagine that you have a bucket that carries allergens.  That bucket will be more or less full, depending on to which allergens you are exposed.  When the bucket is overflowing, you will experience allergy symptoms, like, runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, eczema flare, wheezing, snoring, fatigue, or grouchiness.

Now, sometimes your bucket “shrinks” because you are stressed, not getting enough sleep or exercise, you’ve overexerted yourself, sick or have eaten too much sugar.  At this point, you might feel as though you are drowning!

Ways to “Empty” your Allergy Bucket…

1. Avoid the allergen [4],
   1. Avoid going outside on high pollen count days.
   2. Keep the house and car closed up on high pollen count days.
   3. After coming in from outdoors,
      1. Take off your shoes
      2. Remove as many “trapped” allergens as possible
         1. Change your clothes
         2. Wash your face & hands, especially your eyebrows & lashes
         3. Take a wet comb through your hair, or wash your hair
      3. Use HEPA air filters in your home and vacuum, clean them often and replace them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.
      4. Opt for hard surfaces on floors, swap out curtains for blinds, minimize the use of throw rugs and pillows, wash or toss out stuffed animals.
      5. Vacuum often.
   4. Irrigate your nose daily, if not more often, with things like netipot or sea salt water sprays, like, hydraSense [5].

Ways to “Expand” the size of your Allergy Bucket…

1. Clean up your diet
   1. Eat a diet rich that is anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant, by eating a rainbow of vegetables every day [6].
   2. Get your Omega 3’s by eating wild salmon or supplementing [7].
2. Supplement with a good probiotic [8]. They are so effective that a study published last year in the journal Pediatrics discovered that women who regularly take probiotics during pregnancy significantly reduce their child’s risk of developing allergies!
3. Eat foods that are rich in Quercetin or consider taking a supplement [9][10].
   1. Quercetin is a “natural anti-histamine” with powerful anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
   2. Quercetin is found in many foods, such as raw onions, apples (especially the skins!), red grapes, kale, spinach, capers, watercress, cherries, green and black tea leaves, bee pollen, and chili peppers.
   3. Consider taking a natural allergy supplement. Talk to your naturopath or health food consultant for recommendations specific to your needs.  Ask for one with Quercetin, as it is a powerful natural anti-histamine.
4. Optimize your Vitamin D levels as there is a link between low vitamin d levels and allergic reactions [11].
5. Avoid foods that trigger a histamine response [12].
   1. Sadly, chocolate, wine, and strawberries top this list! Other foods that can cause histamine release or are high in histamines include avocados, bananas, dairy, eggs, oranges, peaches, pineapples, raspberries, spinach, and tomatoes. Yes – some of these foods are also on the high quercetin list, so you’ll have to see how you react.
   2. Fermented foods, which have tons of health benefits, can potentially cause increased histamine release and may need to be avoided during high-allergy season.
   3. Artificial flavours, colours, and preservatives can increase histamine release.
6. Avoid foods that may cross-react with pollens you are sensitive to. This is known as Oral Allergy Syndrome. Here are some examples of cross reactivity [13]:
   1. Ragweed Pollen – bananas, zucchini, cantaloupe, sunflower seeds, cucumber.
   2. Grass Pollen – melons, oranges, Swiss chard, tomatoes, watermelon, wheat.
   3. Alder Pollen – almonds, apples, cherries, celery, hazelnuts, parsley, peaches, pears.
   4. Birch – apples, plums, carrots, cherries, fennel, walnuts, pears, potatoes, peaches, wheat.
7. Enjoy local honey [14]!
   1. Take 1-2 tsp/day for several months before the pollen season starts.
   2. The International Archives of Allergy and Immunologypublished an article in 2011 and discovered that patients taking the honey “reported a 60% lower total symptom score, twice as many asymptomatic days, and 70% fewer days with severe symptoms, and they used 50% less antihistamines compared to the control group” that took conventional meds.
8. Consider taking a freeze-dried preparation of Stinging Nettle as an effective natural anti-histamine. [15] It is to be taken before the hay fever season begins, and can be used in a tincture or as a tea.
9. Try taking a homeopathic remedy for immediate relief of your annoying allergy symptoms [16]. They have no side effects and are safe for infants, children, pregnant & nursing mothers, and they are effective!  Consult with a homeopath or health food consultant for the best remedy for your specific allergy response or check out this guide, “Top Homeopathic Remedies for Allergies,” by Elisa Song, MD.
10. Get checked and adjusted by your chiropractor [17]. Chiropractic adjustments normalize the immune response and help your body adapt to stress, therefore, they will help your body better cope with allergies.  As well, Dr. Janna can “adjust” your sinuses for relief of congestion!
11. Acupressure can be a powerful option for allergy relief [18]. Watch this to find out how and why.
12. Check out and try Z’s Guide to using essential oils for allergy relief [19].
13. Find a practitioner who uses Bioenergetic Intolerance Elimination, a simple, natural new approach that enables one’s body to recognize sensitivities or intolerances, assisting in recovery from associated allergy-like symptoms, without the use of needles or drugs [20]. I’ve seen Alla Vallejo to help with a food allergy I had, and I know it works!

What This Means to You…

Allergy season is in full force, and for some of you, you may suffer from allergies year round.  Allergy symptoms can impede function, and allergy medications have significant negative side effects.  Fortunately, there are natural allergy remedies that are effective and have no negative side effects.  Try one or more of the ideas I’ve outlined to find out which ones will work best for you.

Sources

1. Fields J. Allergy Medicine: 8 Surprising Possible Side Effects. [Internet]. Copyright 2014. Available at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/24/allergy-medicine-8-surprisin_n_787559.html#s190141&title=Altered_Taste_And
2. Ratliff JC, et al. Association of prescription H1 antihistamine use with obesity: results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Obesity (Silver Spring) 2010; 18(12):2398-400. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20706200
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25621434
4. https://www.achooallergy.com/learning/how-to-decrease-your-total-allergen-load/ 
5. Department of Family Medicine. Nasal Irrigation (Nasal Wash) for Common Upper Respiratory Conditions. [Internet]. Copyright 2010 Available at: http://www.fammed.wisc.edu/research/past-projects/nasal-irrigation.
6. https://lifestylemedicalcenters.com/improve-your-seasonal-allergy-symptoms-with-smart-food-choices/
7. http://www.ergo-log.com/fishoilhayfever.html
8. Furrie E. Probiotics and allergy. Proc Nutr Soc 2005; 64(4):465-9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16313688
9. Joskova M, et al.  Acute bronchodilator effect of quercetin in experimental allergic asthma. Bratisl Lek Listy 2011; 112(1):9-12. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21452772
10. Shishehbor F, et al. Quercetin effectively quells peanut-induced anaphylactic reactions in the peanut sensitized rats. Iran J Allergy Asthma Immunol 2010; 9(1):27-34. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20548131
11. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2914320/
12. https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11175/everything-you-need-to-know-about-histamine-intolerance.html
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2917934/
14. Saarinen K, et al. Birch pollen honey for birch pollen allergy–a randomized controlled pilot study. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2011; 155(2):160-6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21196761
15. University of Maryland Medial Center. Stinging nettle. [Internet]. Copyright 2014. Available at:http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/herb/stinging-nettle.
16. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2876326
17. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1719112
18. http://www.drgaila.com/acupressure-allergy-relief
19. Saad el-Z, et al. Acaricidal activities of some essential oils and their monoterpenoidal constituents against house dust mite, Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Acari: Pyroglyphidae). J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2006; 7(12):957-62. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5120413/
20. http://liveallergyfree.ca/bie_en.php