Natural Treatments for Spring Allergies
The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and ah…ah…ah… choo!
Environmental allergies are so, so common. Environmental allergies can be present at any age, but they are especially common for people over 40, those with other types of allergies, and people with long or stealth infections like Covid and EBV. Histamine, the molecule that causes our allergy symptoms, is produced by mast cells (a type of immune cell). Mast cells are responsive to our internal and external environment, meaning they respond in ways that heighten their sensitivity to foreign proteins, including pollen.
Think of it like an empty cup. Each exposure adds a little bit of water to the cup, eventually the cup overflows and then we have allergy symptoms. Stress, age, low quality foods, and immune dysregulation all make our cup smaller. That is, our mast cells have increased sensitivity and our capacity to tolerate pollen is reduced. To help increase the size of our cup and reduce sensitivity of our mast cells, I recommend a threefold approach with hygienic, nutritional, and botanical therapies.
Our first line of protection is to reduce the amount of pollen your body must deal with and provide a place of respite from the allergen. Although we may not think of our homes as places of high pollen count, when we open windows to let in a spring breeze, or have pets and kids running in and out, a surprising amount can collect. Clean and dust your home thoroughly and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter. Check the filters on your HVAC system and change them to a high-efficiency type that screens out pollen. My favorite brand and model is FilterBuy Merv 13. They can be custom sized to fit your system. Wash your bed linens in hot water and change them regularly. Shower before bed to rinse off any pollen particles from your hair, and if pets sleep with you, wipe them down as well to remove pollen from their fur. Avoid any potential respiratory irritants such as the synthetic scents found in perfume, candles, laundry detergent, and dryer sheets.
A wide variety of brightly colored fruits and vegetables nourish our bodies, minds, and spirits in many ways, and are especially helpful with allergies. Food is information, and colorful vibrant foods tell our body that we live in a deeply nourishing, wonder-filled world. From a more technical perspective, Vitamin C is an important nutrient for metabolizing histamine in the body and can also help the immune system with any lingering spring colds. Some vitamin C rich foods are broccoli, kale, tomatoes, and bell peppers. Magnesium is an important nutrient for keeping bronchi supple and easing breathing during asthmatic responses to allergens. Some magnesium rich foods are leafy greens, avocados, and almonds. Quercetin is a bioflavonoid that helps stabilize mast cells and keeps them from over producing histamine. Food sources of quercetin include red onions, tomatoes, and blue and black berries. Local, raw honey is also a helpful preventative food, but it needs to be consumed consistently year-round to have benefit. It works by helping the immune system build tolerance before allergies really get going. Foods that have high histamine levels are also best avoided at this time. These include anything cured, fermented, or aged, including some meats, dairy products, alcoholic beverages, soy products, and chocolate.
And finally, there are several truly lovely plants that help with allergic reactions. Nettle (Urtica dioica) leaf is an effective remedy both for prevention and treatment of allergic symptoms. It works by stabilizing mast cells and limiting release of histamine. Turmeric (Curcuma longa) root helps decrease lung (and other!!) inflammation. Green tea (Camellia sinensis) has potent antioxidants that help reduce inflammation as well. Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) contains quercetin, and Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) has been found to be as effective as Zyrtec for treatment of allergies. A word of caution with Butterbur: it contains hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids and may not be safe for everyone.
I hope you have found this information helpful! When the weather turns nice most of us want to go outside in it, and allergies can feel so restrictive! In addition to foods and teas, any of these nutrients and herbs can be found in combination supplements that are extremely helpful for preventing and treating allergies. Please make an appointment if you would like assistance with treating your allergies with nutrient and botanical medicines.
Thanks for reading! This post contains general educational information shared with love from your friendly local medicine keeper and is not to be considered medical advice.
Alicia Tremblay, ND
Dr. Tremblay is an expert in natural health with degrees in naturopathic medicine and ethnomedicine. Drawing on her diverse background and personal experience with healing from chronic illness, she guides clients on their health journeys, and occasionally writes blogs with unique insights into natural medicine and the healing process. Read more >>
