

For many of us, the return of the good weather signals longer days, enjoying more outdoor activities and watching nature begin to take bloom once again. However, for up to 20 percent of Canadians, it also signals the return of allergy season. As the snow melts, petroleum products in the soil begin to thaw, mold is released, and soon the grasses, buds, and flowers begin to emerge, causing many to experience the dreaded symptoms of allergies: Swollen eyes, wheezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy skin. For the less fortunate this can last until the end of August or even the first frost of October.
Allergies are the body’s overreaction to a foreign substance and some individuals have predispositions to react to harmless substances (allergens) such as plant pollens, drugs, animal hair, dander, dust, or food proteins. On initial contact, our white blood cells produce antibodies that tell our mast cells that a foreign substance is present and needs to be attacked. Each time the foreign invader reappears; our mast cells then mount an attack by releasing a chemical mediator known as histamine. Histamines act on surrounding tissues to make blood vessels dilate and smooth muscles contract, causing a range of symptoms that are commonly experienced by allergy sufferers. When these airborne particles in the environment enter our eyes, nose, and lungs, it triggers this immune reaction leading to discomfort.
Q: What are allergies? How can a naturopath help me deal with them?
Allergies can be combated by blocking the allergic response or by reducing the inappropriate inflammatory response that is the root of the allergic symptoms. Conventional anti-histamines work by blocking the effects of histamine on the tissues and often come with side effects such as headaches, nausea, fatigue, and poor concentration.
Naturopathic doctors strive to answer the question of why a person’s body is so reactive to environmental allergens in the first place. The first step to addressing allergies is to make the body less reactive and to balance the immune system. As most of our immune cells are centered in our digestive tract, individual treatment but may involve the reduction of dairy, red meat, fruit, sugar, and refined carbohydrates in order to reduce the ingestion of certain foods that will continue to trigger an immune response. The use of digestive enzymes may be employed to help breakdown food more adequately along with targeted probiotics and herbs to help restore the gastrointestinal lining. A variety of naturopathic therapies have been researched and documented to reduce the incidence and severity of allergy symptoms:
Q: My allergies have been acting up quite a bit this year. What are some natural treatment options that I can use?
There are several different types of herbs that can be used to treat allergies:
Quercetin
Quercetin is a bioflavonoid that can be found in apples, pears, garlic, onions, and chives. It is an allergic and inflammatory response inhibitor and has been found to successfully reduce histamine responses in allergy suffers without the side effects of conventional antihistamines. It is best combined with bromelain (a pineapple-based extract) to help digest proteins circulating in the blood that can contribute to allergy symptoms.
Nettle (Urtica urens)
This common herb has been used for centuries to help relieve itchy eyes, sneezing and nasal discharge. Nettle is widely available and is very nutritive as it is a rich source of calcium, iron, and other minerals. It can be ingested in a variety of forms including juice, tea, tincture, or freeze dried encapsulate extract.
Elder (Sambuca nigra)
Elder is a great pre-seasonal preventative that can be used by children and the elderly. Along with reducing sensitivity to allergens, it also helps to dry us excess mucous and prevent secondary viral and bacterial infections.
The Jerusalem Artichoke
by Jennifer Phennings
For Mom and Baby
by Julie Watson