Episode 201: Holistic Remedies for Seasonal Allergies

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Summary 

Spring is in the air and along with it comes a whole lot of pollen leading to runny noses, itchy eyes, rashes, and sneezing... definitely not good prep for a hot girl summer. 

And while I know it can be tempting to just hit those antihistamines all day every day, that comes with its own risks. 

Long term antihistamine use may increase your risk of dementia because of its action on neurotransmitters, and it has been linked to issues like blurred vision, urinary retention, constipation, an increased risk for C diff, and it can weaken the esophageal sphincter leading to acid reflux. 

So if you want to play it safe, I have a whole allergy-busting action plan that will leave you bright eyed and bushy tailed through the worst of allergy seasons. 

What should you eat?

• Eat foods that contain natural antihistamines and quercitin (an antioxidant that both restricts the release of histamine and reduces the body's reaction to histamine) like apples, berries, black tea, red onions, broccoli, red grapes, and green tea.
• Eat foods high in vitamin C which helps support the immune system and reduce inflammation: bell peppers, broccoli, and cauliflower.
• Eat pineapple for its bromelain content. "Research on mice suggests that bromelain can reduce allergic sensitization and allergic airway disease thanks to its anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties." -Medical News Today
• If you consistently consume small amounts of local honey throughout the year, it's been shown to help build immunity to the effects of seasonal allergies. -swedishcovenant.org
• Include ginger and turmeric for their anti-inflammatory effects. 

What should you avoid?

• Foods that exacerbate inflammation like gluten, dairy, sugar, and alcohol. 
• High histamine foods like fermented food, dried fruit, avocado, eggplant, spinach, processed/smoked meats, shellfish, mushrooms, white potatoes, paprika, cayenne, chilli powder, citrus fruit, coffee, chocolate, and fermented foods. 
• Foods that trigger histamine release in the body: alcohol, bananas, tomatoes, wheat, beans, papaya, chocolate, walnuts, cashew, peanuts, food dyes and additives. 

What should you do?

• Heal your gut! When your gut lining is damaged, it has a hard time producing an enzyme called DAO which is responsible for breaking down histamine. Plus when you have leaky gut, pathogens and toxins can make their way through the gut lining, causing the body to produce histamine as a way to protect itself. Click here to check out the episode '4 Steps to Fix a Broken Gut' or if you're interested in gut testing and 1:1 support click here to book a free consultation with me!
• Try a neti pot. This is where you combine 1/4 tsp salt with 1 cup of sanitized water (boiled and cooled, sterile, or filtered) and pour it in one nostril and out the other to clear dust and pollen from your nasal passages. 
• Get an air filter. "A 2018 study found that using a HEPA air purifier in the bedroom improved people's allergic rhinitis symptoms by reducing the concentration of particulate matter and dust mites in the air." -Healthline
• Get acupuncture. I'll be totally honest, I have no real understanding of the science of how acupuncture works. But it has been shown that treatments can significantly help strengthen your immune system and reduce allergy symptoms. 

How should you supplement?

• Spirulina and quercitin help stop the release of histamines.
• Stinging nettle and butterbur act as an antiinflammatory relieving symptoms like sneezing, a runny nose, and itchy eyes.
• Vitamin C, D, B6, and magnesium help the body make DAO.
• Peppermint + lemon + lavender essential oil - this combination serves as a natural antihistamine and antiinflammatory and the peppermint helps shrink swollen membranes and loosen mucus. Use food-grade oils like doTerra, put 5 drops of peppermint, 3 drops of lemon, and 3 drops of lavender in a capsule and take as needed. 
  • side note: never begin supplements without first consulting your doctor!

If you've made it this far, I'm going to assume you are a holistic health queen! Meaning you love supporting your body with more natural means and you want to actually get to the root of your body's various symptoms. 

If I'm right and you're ready to embark on your own holistic healing journey (whether you need to heal your gut, hormones, or metabolism), I've opened up the waitlist for my functional nutrition coaching practice!

As a waitlist member you'll get first dibs at my new program 'Follow Your Gut to Healing' where we'll run functional labs to find your HIDDEN stressors (ie dysfunction in your hormone, immune, digestion, detoxification, energy production, and nervous system pathways) and create a healing protocol that is unique to you! 

My goal with this program is to help you break the cycle of trial and error and finally experience relief so you can live the life you want to live in a body that feels good! 

Click here to join my functional nutrition wait list and get grandfathered into my current pricing!

Or if you're reading this after July 14th, 2023, this program is up and running and you can skip the line and go right to booking a free consultation! 

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