Ah! Springtime is nigh! This time of year in the Western Hemisphere is enchanting. You can sense nature rising from its long winter nap. However, as wonderful as spring is, many of us (myself included!) have seasonal allergies to deal with at this time of year.
In 2021, approximately 81 million people in the U.S. were diagnosed with seasonal allergies (1). Seasonal allergies are also known as hay fever or, more technically, allergic rhinitis. It’s crucial to understand that allergic rhinitis can take two different types:
Perennial allergies: This type of allergy occurs year-round. It is typically caused by mold, dust mites, pet hair or dander, or cockroaches.
Seasonal: This form of allergy is caused by mold spores or pollens from grass, trees, and weeds, which occur more frequently as the seasons change.
Signs and Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies
Numerous symptoms are indicative of seasonal allergies, many of which are also present with the common cold. Typical warning signs and symptoms to be aware of include:
- Runny nose
- Stuffy nose from obstruction or congestion
- Itchy eyes, mouth, nose, or throat
- Sneezing
- Tiredness
Seasonal allergies are typically caused by more than just a shift in the weather or an excess of pollen. The immune system overreacts to an external stimulus, such as a food you eat, a toxin you are exposed to, or in this example, an alteration in the environment and an increase in pollen in the air, to cause allergies.
Seasonal allergies affect some people more severely than others. This is because when your immune system is impaired, it produces antibodies to defend itself against even the slightest triggers or intruders. This will lead to more severe symptoms such as runny nose, itchy eyes, and more in the case of seasonal allergies.
The Underlying Cause of Seasonal Allergies
We must learn more about the functioning of the immune system if we are to make significant progress in conquering seasonal allergies. Your gut microbiome contains over 80% of your immune system, so when it is compromised, your immune system is also compromised.
Numerous factors, such as an unhealthy diet, stress, and increased exposure to toxins, can affect the health of your gut. This leads to an imbalance between good and bad bacteria, inflammation, and increased intestinal permeability, commonly referred to as leaky gut.
Working with a function medicine physician in practice, I have seen firsthand how many patients’ seasonal allergies go away as soon as their guts start healing.
Knowing the underlying cause of seasonal allergies allows us to focus on developing tools that support both our immune system and our gut. Prevention is our main goal so we will want to be proactive rather than reactive.
Although some over the counter, prescription, and allergy shot treatments may be beneficial in specific situations, our main goal should be to combat allergies at their root. Here are the best ways to avoid and treat seasonal allergies so you can look forward to, rather than dread, this season.
Remedies for Seasonal Allergies
It’s good to know that there are a ton of natural therapies available to assist you manage inflammation, the underlying cause of seasonal allergy symptoms, if you’re wanting to treat your allergies holistically. These are a few of the treatment options:
1. Support Your Gut.
If gut health is the core cause of all allergies, then improving the health of your microbiome is crucial. You can achieve this by incorporating natural gut-supporting foods into your daily wellness regimen.
It might take an adult’s stomach anywhere from 12 to 24 months to heal completely. Therefore, even though you might feel some alleviation in a few weeks to months, this will assist you in managing your symptoms over time.
- Include a probiotic supplement. Food is important, but while trying to heal a damaged stomach, sometimes you need an additional boost.
- Increase your consumption of fermented foods high in probiotics, such as kefir, coconut yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut.
- Make bone broth a part of your diet. Nutrients like collagen, which are abundant in this gut-healing superfood, help to calm an inflammatory stomach.
It’s important to note the topic of drugs: Refusing to take excessive prescription drugs, over-the-counter meds, and antibiotics is one of the most important things you can do to support your gut because these might aggravate it even more.
For example, because antibiotics function by destroying bacteria, they are unable to distinguish between good and bad germs and may ultimately eradicate both.
Once more, even if these are occasionally required—for example, in the event of an unavoidable unexpected exposure to life-threatening allergies—you must ask yourself: Am I seeking long-term recovery or just temporary relief?
For further assistance, consult with a functional medicine practitioner and a nutritionist to provide a nutritional and supplement plan that works for you.
![Seasonal Allergies: Essential Information for a Stress-Free Spring](https://i0.wp.com/jasminefeliciano.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Seasonal-Allergies-Essential-Information-for-a-Stress-Free-Spring-pin.png?resize=683%2C1024&quality=80&ssl=1)
2. Try the Elimination Diet.
One of the most important factors in gut health is food. Everyone is aware of the detrimental effects that eating too much sugar, gluten, or other processed junk food can have on your microbiome. But I’ve seen people have issues and inflammation from even the cleanest foods.
To create a real-food plan that works for you specifically and supports long-term recovery, an elimination diet is a terrific method to find out what foods your body loves and what foods it hates.
3. Considering Adaptogens.
Since there is almost always an adaptogen available to aid with every health condition you are facing, these natural plant medications are my go-to for almost anything. Numerous research has indicated that red ginseng possesses potent anti-allergenic properties (2). Red ginseng, according to one study, can reduce symptoms such as runny nose, itching, sneezing, and nasal inflammation brought on by allergies (3).
4. Encourage your biofilms.
Bacterial biofilms are little, sticky films that adhere to mucous membranes in many parts of our body, such as the sinuses and the intestines (4). These are crucial components of our immune system, but when they include more pathogenic bacteria than beneficial bacteria, they can aggravate symptoms of seasonal allergies, such as runny noses and other sinus issues. Several tools for naturally changing biofilms are:
- Supplements containing colostrum: the protein lactoferrin in colostrum inhibits microorganisms to support healthy biofilms.
- Enzymes for digestion: These aid in the breakdown of biofilms.
- Prebiotics and probiotics: They support a balanced, healthful bacterial population.
- One natural chelating agent that is utilized to extract toxins from biofilms is EDTA.
5. Give acupuncture a try!
A review of scientific research led to the conclusion that acupuncture is a safe and effective treatment for allergic rhinitis patients (5). The allergy symptoms related to the condition, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, are a sign of an immune system imbalance. Acupuncture has the potential to be an effective allergy treatment because of its natural anti-inflammatory qualities (6). I covered everything in-depth in this post!
To Wrap Things Up
As we appreciate the beauty of spring, it’s evident that seasonal allergies don’t have to ruin this great season. Understanding the underlying causes of allergic reactions and prioritizing gut and immune system health allows us to greatly minimize, if not eliminate, the discomfort they cause. Natural therapies and dietary changes provide a potential way to completely enjoy the season without having to worry about allergy problems.
Applying these holistic ways not only relieves seasonal allergies, but also improves our entire well-being, making spring a time to anticipate and enjoy. Let us make this spring a watershed moment, one in which we may breathe freely and enjoy the beauty around us without the limits of seasonal allergies.
Don’t have time for the full article? Read this!
Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis, affect around 36 million people in the US. These allergies are caused by a variety of factors, including weather changes, pollen, and environmental changes. Symptoms include runny nose, stuffy nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, and tiredness. The underlying cause of seasonal allergies is the compromised gut microbiome, which contains over 80% of the immune system. Factors like unhealthy diets, stress, and toxins can cause inflammation and leaky gut. Natural therapies, such as incorporating gut-supporting foods into daily wellness routines, can help manage inflammation and prevent seasonal allergies.
Sources |
- Diagnosed Allergic Conditions in Adults: United States, 2021 (cdc.gov)
- Therapeutic Effects of Fermented Red Ginseng in Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study – PMC (nih.gov)
- The effect of Korean red ginseng on allergic inflammation in a murine model of allergic rhinitis – PMC (nih.gov)
- Biofilms in chronic rhinosinusitis: Pathophysiology and therapeutic strategies – ScienceDirect
- Acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis – PubMed (nih.gov)
- The Anti-Inflammatory Actions and Mechanisms of Acupuncture from Acupoint to Target Organs via Neuro-Immune Regulation – PMC (nih.gov)
My husband deals with seasonal allergies and it’s no fun, thanks for sharing this list!
You’re most welcome! 😊
Yes, gut health is huge! I used to have such bad allergies at spring and asthma. I changed my diet away from processed foods and worked on gut health, and it completely cured my allergies.
Awesome!! 💪🏽 healing the gut is such a game changer.
Great post! I am going to try these tips for my allergies. Thank you!
You’re most welcome! Glad it was helpful! 💜
This is a really great read! Getting our gut healthy is the most important thing we can do for our overall health. I’m fortunate to not suffer from allergies but many friends and family do. I just wish they would understand the importance of gut health.
You’re most welcome and thank you! Totally understandable with regards to your family and friends; I just keeping sharing the info until it inspires some sort of change 😄
These are great information on seasonal allergies and tips are worth trying out. Thanks for sharing!
You’re most welcome 😊 Thank you for stopping by!
Great read! Super timely. I think I need to share this article with my dad. Poor guy is among the many who have resorted to just suffering and dealing with it lol.
Thank you and please do share! Hope it’s helpful to him on this journey of healing 😊