Happy May Everyone! This month’s newsletter is about seasonal allergies, so if you or someone you love suffers with them, read on.
What Causes Allergy Symptoms?
If you live in New England, the pine pollen was blowing around like crazy this week. Here’s what is happening when we experience seasonal allergies.Our immune system can react with alarm to the protein in a particular type of pollen and develop antibodies to these “foreign invaders”. Think of antibodies as your body’s “Most Wanted” criminal list, and your immune system as your built-in police force. Exposure to them then causes our mast cells (part of the immune system) to release histamine, triggering swelling of mucus membranes and the flow of mucus. Despite the discomfort, our immune system really does have our best interests at heart! Mucus can flush unwanted substances out of the body. In a balanced body, this would not cause too much trouble as we also have systems for detoxifying histamine. I talk about this more in our office hours link below. This becomes more of a problem when the amount of histamine in the body builds up to a level that our bodies can’t keep up with.
Why Antihistamines Aren’t Always the Best Solution
Typical anti-histamine medications often leave a person feeling sleepy, or foggy-brained. They also can have other potent (but not often publicized) side effects such as dizziness, blurred vision, nausea, or causing an enlarged prostate or yeast infections. Additionally, chronic use of anti-histamine drugs can override the body’s natural immune regulation, leading to more histamine sensitivity over time. I know! This is why I love to share other options with you!
Natural Relief Options
I have a few favorite natural supplements that I often recommend, but before I do, I must remind you to always consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any new supplements or health regimen!
Quercetin and Bromelain
I love quercetin (pronounced kwehr’-suh-tin). It’s a natural extract from plant foods like onions, apples, berries, buckwheat, and citrus fruit, quercetin is technically a flavonol. Polyphenols help to determine a plant’s color – in this case, a bright yellow. Quercetin is a natural anti-histamine without the side effects of many medications! Quercetin actually calms the immune system to reduce or prevent histamine release. As an aside, quercetin is also being researched for circulation and cardiovascular health too, as it’s been shown to increase blood flow via artery dilation, promoting the release of nitric oxide. This action creates greater tissue oxygenation, nutrient flow, and waste removal. For this reason, it may also improve symptoms of fatigue and malaise due to poor circulation or in those with anemia or mild hypertension. Be cautious using quercetin, however, if you already taking blood thinners (e.g. Coumadin, Plavix, or daily aspirin). Again, always talk to your healthcare provider first!
In a supplement, quercetin is often combined with bromelain, an extract from pineapples that is a potent anti-inflammatory that also calms the immune system and increases the effectiveness of quercetin. For seasonal allergies, I recommend clients start using quercetin right away to build up levels in their body and continue throughout the full allergy season. Consider starting with 1000 mg, taken twice daily on an empty stomach.
Quercetin has also been heavily studied in recent years because of its ability to heal intestinal permeability. This is especially helpful for those who may be prone to allergies/sensitivities in part because of the ongoing immune insults that having a leaky gut allows. This makes Quercetin a perfect two-solutions-in-one remedy for gut healing and allergies!
Stinging Nettle and Butterbur
Stinging nettle leaf (very important: leaf, not root) has been shown to have effective ‘antihistamine’ action because it makes histamine receptors less sensitive. Because of this mode of action, I tend to use stinging nettle as a synergistic, additive pairing with an antihistamine like quercetin (vs. an agent on its own). This can be a powerful combination for more entrenched cases which don’t find sufficient relief via quercetin alone. You can find this in capsule form, or make your own Stinging Nettles Tea. I prefer loose leaf tea, but you can also purchase it in tea bag form. Add some local honey for additional immune support!
Another excellent choice is the herb Butterbur. Unlike quercetin, butterbur is helpful because it is an anti-spasmodic remedy. Phytochemicals in butterbur relax swollen nasal membranes and alleviate muscle spasms in the respiratory system. Short-term use (3-4 mos) is generally regarded as quite safe; long-term use has not been studied. Note that butterbur is not suitable for pregnant or breast-feeding women (or for very young children less than six years of age). A typical therapeutic dose of butterbur extract is about 200mg/day (divided into an AM and PM dose for greater absorption). Mild headache or stomach ache may be side effects of butterbur and can be best avoided by taking it on a full stomach. And, yes, in very tough cases, it could be helpful to use all 3 of these supplements together.
Bonus Support: Essential Oils and More
I also love using essential oils to help calm allergy symptoms. I recommend a blend of organic lavender, lemon and peppermint oil diffused into the air of your home.
I hope this gives you some allergy relief this season.
