Seasonal allergy symptoms are on the rise as trees and grasses begin to pollinate, releasing allergens into the air. As our human immune systems respond to this onslaught of pollens, the production of antibodies spikes to attack the allergens resulting in immune cells, called mast cells, releasing histamine. Histamine is what causes irritation and inflammation in mucus membrane linings of the nose, eyes, throat, and respiratory tract. If you are looking for healthier ways for treating seasonal allergies, naturopathic medicine offers many alternatives.
A more holistic approach towards treating seasonal allergies involves being proactive with a strategy for prevention before allergy season starts, while aiming to reduce and relieve symptoms as they happen. When symptoms have become acute with no time to start a prevention strategy, there are herbal and nutritional approaches available that can help mitigate the problem. For some patients treatment approaches will start at the dietary level and include lifestyle adjustments backed up with additional support offered through therapies including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and therapeutic nutritional supplementation.
When the gut is inflamed, irritated or otherwise unhealthy, it will create inflammation elsewhere in the body including the sinuses. This causes the immune system to be more sensitized and reactive to external antigens. At Hawthorn Healing Arts, we offer testing using several labs that can identify what the patient is reacting to in their environment, and we offer customized treatment plans to treat allergies by also addressing underlying issues that contribute.
Keep Nasal Passages Clean
The use of saline spray can be a helpful natural treatment for allergies which clears nasal passages of pollen. It is also a good alternative to medications such as antihistamines or decongestants. Another option is a Neti pot. A neti pot is a container designed to rinse debris or mucus from the nasal cavity and is often used to treat symptoms of nasal allergies, sinus problems or colds.
Home and Car Environment
When dealing with seasonal allergies, using a HEPA equipped vacuum cleaner, and vacuuming often can go a long way toward removing allergens from the indoor environment. When using an air conditioner, keeping filters fresh and changing them frequently will also help reduce the load of indoor allergens. Something we don’t often consider is the air filter in the car, which should be replaced regularly to help lower the levels of pollen inhaled while driving. The simple act of changing your clothes and taking a shower to rinse off any pollen that may have collected on skin or in the hair can also offer a level of protection against indoor pollen.
Allergy Support with Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a treatment that helps to strengthen the immune system and can help regulate the body’s immune response to allergens. Just four weeks of acupuncture treatment can significantly reduce allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, runny nose, congestion, fatigue, headache, and postnasal drip.
Needle Free Acupuncture
This treatment involves the practitioner stimulating specific acupuncture points using acupressure, acupuncture, needle-free acupuncture or cold laser while the patient holds the allergen for 10-25 minutes. This helps to relieve symptoms presented from environmental, food, hormonal, or chemical and metal sensitivities. Chelsea Phillips offers this service at Hawthorn Healing Arts.
Massage Therapy for Allergy Relief
Massage Therapy can help to decrease stress levels, improve circulation and support the immune system while minimizing the body’s reaction to allergens. A massage therapist can also address various trigger points to relieve tension in the body and reduce the body’s automatic panic response to allergic reactions. A facial massage is another form of massage therapy that can help relieve allergy symptoms and is great for relieving chronic sinus issues.
Supplements
Goldenseal has been used for centuries to treat inflammatory conditions of both the gastrointestinal and upper respiratory tract. Goldenseal is high in alkaloids and bitters and is well known for its effectiveness in treating infections in the mucous membranes.
Echinacea root is another resource for preventing seasonal allergy symptoms. Research suggests it has the powerful effect of stimulating a faster response to an immune threat. Conversely, when the immune response is overstimulated, Echinacea can reduce the magnitude of the immune response.
Vitamin D when taken with a probiotic has been shown to help with respiratory issues, particularly when associated with asthma. The ingestion of health-promoting bacteria (probiotics) has been shown in clinical studies to relieve allergic and inflammatory diseases and can both help to prevent and reduce seasonal allergy symptoms.
Additional supplement recommendations include Bioflavonoids including Vitamin C, Quercetin, hesperidin, Rutin and a highly recommended natural antihistamine which is stocked in the Hawthorn Healing Arts Medicinary Called HistaminX by SeekingHealth which is an excellent product to use to support seasonal allergy symptoms.
Naturopathic Medicine and Allergies
As naturopathic physicians we understand that patients can only reach their full healing potential by addressing the foundations of health. When seasonal allergies strike, limiting the intake of histamine through the diet, eating fresh, healthy prepared foods, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help to lighten the load of seasonal allergy symptoms. Before beginning any supplement regimen – check with your naturopathic physician to ensure it is right for you.
To schedule an appointment with a Hawthorn acupuncturist, massage therapist or naturopathic physician call 541-330-0334 or use our online appointment request form.