Every spring, some of you voluntarily harm your brain with antihistamines that make you feel like a zombie, or hung over with brain fog. These "first generation" antihistamines make you tired all day too.
Allergy symptoms occur because your body releases histamine and leukotriene (and other pro-inflammatory compounds) which lead to runny nose and watery eyes, swelling, congestion, a scratchy throat and sneezing. Your goal would be to control those two cytokines and balance immune function.
Go to a physician and pay a lot to be told to "avoid triggers" or "move" or "stop eating 40 foods." Grumble all the way home because you know it's not possible in your situation. So here's my top 10 list to help you:
1. Vitamin C: It's a powerful antioxidant that prevents histamine from being made, rather than blocking it's action at the cell's doorway like a drug (antihistamine). It also reduces inflammation and helps with immune function.
2. Stinging nettle: This herb is time tested, people who take it occasionally feel a mild diuretic effect. Compounds within the herb include carotenes, vitamin K, and quercetin. Dosage varies, you can drink tea or take supplements.
3. Essential oil of eucalyptus: Used in steam inhalations or diffused in an aromatizer. Eucalyptus opens up your sinuses and air passageways, improving airflow. It contains "citronellal" which has pain-relieving benefits and anti-inflammatory effects making it useful for upper respiratory infections.
4. Salt: Natural unrefined salt (not table salt) actually has natural antihistamine effects. If you're having a sneezing fit, or hay fever attack, put a tiny amount of unrefined salt on the tip of your tongue. Let it absorb, you don't have to swallow it. Rinse the excess. Another variation of using salt, is to drink a little salt-laced water during your attack. Use saline in your Neti pots daily.
5. Bromelain: This pineapple-derived enzyme is sold as a supplement. It reduces swelling as well as mucus production so it's particularly helpful for sinus infection. It may thin mucus making it easier for you to breathe.
6. Avoid histamine-forming foods: Thus reducing the burden of histamine inside your body. These include sausage, smoked meats, chocolate, alcohol, aged cheese, dried foods, fermented foods and nuts.
7. Visit a salt cave: These are amazing, I've been inside one in Santa Barbara. They are popping up as the new "spa treatment" across North America. Sitting in a Himalayan salt cave, inhaling ionized air infuses your body with valuable minerals. The particles of sodium chloride may improve allergies and kill fungus.
8. Butterbur: I wrote about this in my "Headache Free" book. Butterbur acts like the pharmaceutical drug called Singulair, and it inhibits the production leukotrienes which trigger swelling in your nasal passages.
9. Propolis: An animal study showed some interesting results. Propolis significantly inhibited histamine release from mast cells.
10. Chlorella: This supplement is a type of algae grown in fresh water often suggested for reducing radiation treatment side effects, stimulating the immune system and increasing white blood cell counts. For allergies, chlorella can reduce histamine, and improve interleukin 12 and interferon.
Suzy Cohen is a registered pharmacist. The information presented here is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any condition. Visit SuzyCohen.com.
