Happy spring! We’ve had so much rain in California that this year has been particularly bad for those with allergies. We now “get” a full and vibrant spring-time.
Today I want to share about how to fend off pesky allergies. This spring, especially here in California where we’ve had a lot of rain, is producing a lot of pollen causing allergy symptoms..
Allergy Symptoms
- headaches
- agitation
- sneezing
- post nasal drip
- nasal congestion
- itchy watery eyes
- scratchy throat
You may not even know that you’re suffering from allergies but if you’re not feeling well, suspect allergies!
Our go-to for allergy support is oftentimes over-the-counter antihistamines. But they are linked to dementia risk and/or mild cognitive impairment.1& 2
These are super serious consequences and a very good reason to address spring-time allergies naturally.
There's a concept called "total load" that comes into play here. When your body has reached it’s maximum toxin level, you will begin to feel more allergy symptoms. I like this analogy:
The Bucket Theory
Walls of the bucket = Your immune system's capacity
Water level in the bucket = Summation of your allergy/immune system load
Water overflow = Symptoms
This shows why it’s important to support your immune system in a powerful way - to keep the water level in your bucket down and your immune system strong.
Quick Tips for Managing Allergies Naturally:
- Get good sleep - sleep supports better immune function
- Eat an anti-inflammatory diet (focus on whole real foods right now)
- Avoid alcohol and sugar - they suppress immune function, and consider reducing caffeine for right now
- If it's windy outside, close up the house to keep extra pollen from coming inside
- Nettles are a great antihistamine - get some nettle tea and use two tea bags to make a strong iced tea or hot tea every day during allergy season
- This is a great time to take inventory of the chemicals in your home, on your skin, in the shower, etc. Clean your home of any toxins and replace them with simple, clean products. You can get more info here
- Rinse your nasal passages with warm water and sea salt daily (twice a day if your allergies are bad) using a neti pot or a spoon to keep them clean and allergen-free
- Support your adrenal glands - strong adrenals mean less allergy symptoms - get good sleep, add a pinch of sea salt to your water every day, eat for hormone balance and take nutrients (see below)
- Check your vitamin D3 levels - 50-100 mg/dl is ideal - Vitamin D3 is super important for healthy immune function
Nutrient Suggestions
- Favorite natural antihistamine - click here for Histaeze - take 4 capsules 2 - 3 times daily
- Vitamin C - a great antihistamine - click here for Stellar C - take 1000mg - 1500mg 3x/day
- Boost Vitamin D with Vitamin D Supreme (take 2 caps daily until your levels come up and then 1 cap daily)
- B vitamins are super helpful for allergies and they are great adrenal support - take a B complex like this one - 1 with breakfast and dinner: B Supreme
- Adrenal nutrient support - my favorite is Adrenal Complex - and I take 2-3 caps twice a day
References:
2 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/leo-galland-md/memory-loss-drugs-_b_822245.html
