Spring is here and although to some people it means warmer weather and beautiful blooms, it can mean itchy eyes and sneezing fits for the 3 million of us that are seasonal allergy sufferers.
Shortly after the mucus membranes in the upper respiratory tract comes into contact with the allergen whether that is pollen, grasses, dust mites or mould, the immune system misbehaves by producing antibodies which gear up to attack what is supposed to be a harmless particle.
What happens next is the mast cells release histamine which is what causes all the troublesome symptoms like sneezing, coughing, asthma, and itchy watery eyes all otherwise known as allergic rhinitis.
So how can we help reduce the severity and soothe the symptoms short of wearing a hazmat suit?
Try some Antiallergic herbs via an online consultation to dampen the mast cell response like Nettle, Baical Skullcap, and Albizzia.
Soothe and help clear sinuses with herbs like Peppermint, Eyebright, and Elderflower.
Include anti-inflammatory herbs & spices in your diet like Turmeric and ginger.
Avoid mucus forming foods like sugar and cows dairy.
Eat more wholefoods like fresh fruits and vegetables loaded with vitamin C and other Antioxidants like capsicum, Kiwi, broccoli, kale, and berries.
Try to avoid the outdoors if there is a high pollen count especially on hot windy days.
Manage other allergy aggravators like dust mites and mould indoors by keeping the humidity as low as possible (this might mean investing in a de-humidifier) and proper ventilation
Invest in a vacuum with a HEPA filter to stop the particles from being re-released into the air.
Try Saline solution to help flush the particles from the sinuses.
Cook with garlic. Compounds in garlic can help to clear mucus and is a natural anti-bacterial.
If you need some personalised support for seasonal allergies, book an initial consultation here: https://www.passionflowernaturopathy.com.au/book-online
Sources:
Moyer. N, Healthline article “Mast Cell activation Syndrome”, May 2019
Hay fever: Overview, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK279488/, April 2020.
Asica website, “Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)”, https://www.allergy.org.au/patients/allergic-rhinitis-hay-fever-and-sinusitis/allergic-rhinitis-or-hay-fever, April 2019
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