Allergies, Again?!

Do you feel like you just finally got relief from your Fall seasonal allergies? Well, don’t throw out your supplements just yet because it’s time to start preparing for Spring allergy season! Last year, we noticed that pollen levels slowly started increasing around the middle of February here in Richmond, which means now is the time to prepare! Heading into the peak of allergy season with the lowest histamine levels possible will work to your advantage, as your body will be able to process and clear histamines more effectively in the hopes that you will experience fewer symptoms! 

 

What Causes Seasonal Allergies?

As we venture outdoors more in the springtime, exposure to pollen, grass, flowers, trees, and other environmental triggers can cause spring allergy symptoms. When we are exposed to these allergens, our bodies sometimes see them as a threat, so it causes our immune system to react. This reaction causes mast cells within our body to release histamines, which helps our bodies fight these ‘invaders’ but also ends up causing more symptoms. Our main goal is to stabilize the mast cells so less histamines are released, which will result in fewer or less severe symptoms and will help you enjoy the spring season a little more.

 

Seasonal Allergy Symptoms

Symptoms of seasonal allergies can vary dramatically from person to person. Still, some of the most common symptoms include a runny nose or nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, watery/itchy eyes, postnasal drip, headaches, and fatigue. Sometimes, we even see changes in our blood pressure and heart rate! 

 

Spring Allergy Preparation Tips

  • Avoid high-histamine foods to help reduce the overall histamine burden in the body. A few examples of high-histamine foods include citrus fruits, pineapples, bananas, strawberries, tomatoes, eggplants, spinach, packaged meats, fermented foods, shellfish, alcohol
  • Air Quality: Consider purchasing a HEPA air filter for your main living spaces to reduce allergens in the air. Dust surfaces in your home often, vacuum carpets, and wash curtains and bedding frequently to reduce allergen exposure. If you spend a significant amount of time outdoors, consider changing clothes as soon as you enter the house to reduce contamination throughout the rest of your home. It’s also common for allergens to find their way inside your home by way of your shoes. So, make sure to take those shoes off by the door!
  • Castor Oil Packs: Consider purchasing a bottle of cold-pressed castor oil to use daily for optimal liver health! Castor oil is anti-inflammatory and can help gently support the detoxification pathways within the liver. This helps ensure we are effectively breaking down and eliminating histamines from our circulatory system. Important Note: Castor oil is to be applied topically (rubbed on the skin) over the abdomen/liver and is not to be taken internally.

 

Spring Goals: Start clearing those histamines! Schedule an appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors to learn more about histamine processing and what additional support may be best for you to incorporate this spring season! 

 

Read More: Benefits of Air Purifiers in Spring 
Read More: How to: Castor Oil Pack 

 

References:

  1. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8469513/
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557790/ 

 

51 Views0
Springtime Liver Support

Springtime can be one of the more noticeable and abrupt seasonal shifts from cold to warm, with plenty of weather fluctuations within a short period of time. During this time, it is important to gradually include gentle liver support throughout the early spring so that it has opportunity to subtly and effectively transition with this new season. Spring is one of the optimal seasons to focus on supporting liver health and detoxification for several reasons.

  1. With the abundance of new spring bitter greens, our digestive system is primed this season to enjoy the benefits of nourishing, cleansing and stimulating bitter foods that naturally support liver health and detoxification.
  2. With increased environmental allergy exposure, it is important to make sure we are supporting the liver to process and facilitate these increased allergens from our body.
  3. Our diet and lifestyle habits can shift considerably in early spring. We may be moving and exercising more, eating fresh foods, and even traveling a bit more. Supporting our liver health also ensures that we have optimal energy and “lightness” to participate in experiencing this season to the fullest.

Read More: Batch Cook: Weekly Spring Staples

Nutrition for Optimal Liver Health

  1. Include bitter spring greens in your diet once a day such as dandelion greens, arugula, mustard greens ad baby kale.
  2. Stay hydrated with plenty of filtered water. Approximately half your body weight in ounces per day is recommended (ex: if you weight 160 pounds that’s 80oz of water daily).
  3. Try to consume at least 5 different colors of fresh fruits and vegetables every day. The more color in your diet means the more vitamins, minerals, nutrients and antioxidants you’re consuming which are all excellent for liver health.
  4. Enjoy your meals about 4 hours apart so that your digestive system as a chance to fully digest the previous meal.
  5. Minimize alcohol intake to no more than two days per week. Alcohol is one of the more difficult inputs for your liver to handle.

Read More: Heal from Within: How Colorful Foods Support Detoxification Pathways

Herbs for Optimal Liver Health

  • Dandelion greens and root
  • Burdock root
  • Calendula
  • Nettle
  • Artichoke

Each of the above herbs are rich in nutrients, and support our liver and detoxification pathways through bitter flavor, nutritive compounds, and gently stimulating actions. Enjoyed as a tea, nettle, dandelion, burdock, calendula and nettle are classic springtime herbal allies for liver and digestive health, while artichoke is often enjoyed as a tincture diluted in a bit of water.

How are you noticing the change in season this year? If you need support with balancing your health and wellness during this time, consider making an appointment with one of our naturopathic doctors for guidance and individual support.

686 Views0

Phone 804-977-2634

Fax - 804-980-7876

Office Hours

Monday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM-5:30 PM

Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our Newsletter right now to be updated. We promice not to spam!