Allergy Season

Spring has sprung. Along with lush greenery and flowers abloom, many are sneezing up a storm. It’s allergy season.

Seasonal allergies are characterized by sneezing, runny nose, blocked nasal passages, itchy eyes and throat, and runny eyes. The term “hay fever” is applied to the seasonal allergic response, but this is a misnomer, as the symptoms are neither produced by hay nor associated with fever. Seasonal allergies are caused by pollen allergens falling on the mucous membranes of the nose, resulting in a reaction.

Guess what allergies are directly related to? THE LIVER. Your liver must process both endogenous (produced from within) and exogenous (external) toxins and produces additional histamines if an allergen is present. The liver releases histamines in response to an allergen, and you, in turn, experience hives, asthma, sneezing, etc. In addition to the liver, the spleen, lungs, kidneys and lymph nodes are all important in the body’s immune system and in fighting the allergy response. When these organs are weak, they may be overworked and become overactive. As a result, antibodies may be over-produced which cause the body to react to many harmless substances.

The usual treatment is antihistamines. Antihistimines block this immune response, and while this approach can provide temporary symptomatic relief, it does nothing to address the underlying cause of the problem.

Some allergies are genetic. But allergies acquired over the course of one’s life are caused by altered body ecology due and congested liver to usage of medications, improper diet, and unhealthy lifestyle. So, what to do?

First off, try a liver cleanse. (click link) A clear liver will be able to process histamines and toxins more efficiently and effectively cleanse the blood. In essence, you want to reduce your total toxic load. This basically means reducing your toxic exposure. Start by removing any foods to which you may be allergic. The common culprits are nuts, milk, eggs, wheat, chocolate, citrus, soy, and shellfish. Consider a food allergy test, or try an elimination diet: remove a food for 14 days – in all forms – and on the morning of day 15, consume the food on an empty stomach and watch for symptoms (fatigue, bloating, sneezing). If so, food allergy. Many times, you may not even be aware you have the food allergy, but it can most definitely contribute to developing or worsening seasonal allergies, because while your immune system may be able to handle the extra antigen load at other times, seasonal allergies may finally exceed the total load capacity, and Poof! Immune system overwhelmed. Symptoms occur.

Check out your home: watch for mold. You can test for mold in the home. Purchase a home air purifier or HEPA filter. Practice green living. Use non-toxic cleaning products. See my previous post for cleaning “recipes.” (click link).

There are a few herbal remedies. First off, according to Ayurveda, allergies can be alleviated by purifying the blood. Try a teaspoon of turmeric in a glass of raw milk (if you are not allergic). This is an incredibly powerful blood cleanser. Turmeric is a very potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory spice. Try hemp or almond milk if you don’t do dairy.

Herbs like milk thistle or oregon grape root keep the liver clear. Nettles are incredibly mineral-rich and can also help allergies. Take nettles as a tea. Mushrooms such as reishi, maitake, cordyceps, and shiitake have superior immune-boosting properties and can be helpful. And don’t forget about antioxidant and immune powerhouses zinc and good ole vitamin C.

Here’s to a sneeze-less spring!