The cause of seasonal allergies, according to modern medicine, are bits of pollen from flowering plants that create an allergic reaction when they come into contact with the eyes, lungs and nasal passages of susceptible people. While this is true superficially, it doesn't address the whole picture. It doesn't tell us why one person is left incapacitated or what can be done to prevent this reaction.
Ensure a good gut
Problems with intestinal flora balance and food digestion can play a large role in environmental allergies. "It's the underlying reason why you have allergies," says registered holistic nutritionist Lisa Kilgour. She explains that when foods are not properly broken down they create a leaky gut, which allows undigested protein to move into the bloodstream. Since 80 percent of your immune system surrounds your digestive system, undigested foods essentially create an immune-army that can't tell the difference between pollen and a full invasion.
There are several thousand varieties of intestinal flora and keeping these in good shape is vital for healthy immune response. A high quality probiotic supplement can be useful in restoring balance, as can naturally fermented foods, such as tempeh, sauerkraut and pickles, or unsweetened yogurt and kefir.
Beware antihistamines
Remedies such as antihistamines work by blocking histamine and suppressing the immune system. While it works well in emergencies, if we continually shut down the body's way of communicating that something is wrong, how can we expect the immune system to fight viral or bacterial invaders?
There's another potential downside to antihistamines. As reported in the journal Obesity (August 2010), researchers at Yale University found that prescription antihistamine users were 55 percent more likely to be overweight than non-antihistamine users. It appears histamine has a hand in appetite control and calorie burning. So again, focusing on symptoms creates problems in the body as a whole.
Manage stress
Stress is the number-one contributing factor to inflammation. A study at the University of California Los Angeles last year showed that people experiencing social stress exhibited an increase in inflammation, which, when it becomes chronic, contributes to conditions such as allergies, asthma and heart disease. So it stands to reason that managing stress levels would help reduce allergy symptoms.
In traditional Chinese medicine, the thymus, thyroid and adrenals are linked. When one of the three is constantly taxed or becomes depleted, the other two cannot function properly. Therefore, supporting the adrenals through supplements such as B-complex vitamins and adaptogenic herbs like rhodiola, ashwaganda or Siberian ginseng can help balance the immune system on a deeper level.
Stay active
Exercise could be helpful as well, particularly yoga, which has been shown to reduce stress and inflammation. Several yoga poses are suggested for seasonal allergy relief, such as the Shoulder Stand, which opens the nasal passages, and the Bridge Pose, which expands the chest and lungs.
The great outdoors should put a smile on your face―not get you diving for the tissues. By taking care of your digestion and by reducing stress and inflammation, it is possible to enjoy the fresh air to its fullest.
Alexis Costello is looking forward to gardening in the sunshine without sneezing. She is the owner of Happily Holistic Natural Health and Wellness. www.happilyholistic.ca