About a week ago while surfing one of our local chat boards I found a question asked by a lady pertaining to seasonal allergies where she was searching for alternatives to over-the-counter (OTC) drugs and medications that left her feeling spaced out, foggy, groggy and discombobulated. Ever since I have been itching to write this (pun intended) as I’m sure she isn’t the only one who’s frustrated with the options of suffer or suffer.

Allergies in general are adverse responses to chemicals, foods or inhalants that cause sneezing, itching, congestion, anxiety, rashes, hives, joint aches and pains, headaches, and/or understandably mood swings. Sensitivities generally mean the same thing but are not true allergies as they are not the result of an over-stimulated immune system as are allergies. Quite often allergies and sensitivities are either misdiagnosed or undiagnosed which then causes the patient to use medications that only mask the symptoms which can lead to more severe immune challenges in the long run. Seasonal allergies are usually a reaction to airborne substances and that’s what we’re going to address today.

Seeds, pollens, chemicals, mold and spores from grasses, plants and trees seem to be the biggest offenders when it comes to seasonal allergies aka Allergic Rhinitis, a seasonal hay fever caused by one of these offenders. Our immune system sees this as a threat so it releases antibodies and histamine into the eyes, nose and lungs intended to attack and remove these offenders from our bodies which in turn causes inflammation and more misery.

Avoiding these triggers is obviously the best choice but not exactly feasible in most cases so what can you do as an alternative to OTC drugs? Here’s a few basic things that are worth giving a shot;

Cleansing your nose with neti pot, nasal oils or a sinus irrigator can help and there’s a lot of “how to’s” out there online so find one you feel comfortable with trying. Stress is another big factor. Can you dump some of your plate to allow more time for self care where you can destress some daily? If stress/anxiety are huge factors in your life you can consider things like thc-free CBD oil, maybe a stress relief complex or some B-complex as all are very helpful, especially combined as stress is the root of many evils.

Some people try accupuncture or a chiropractor for underlying imbalances, some try essential oils and herbal remedies such as butterbur. If you know, like and trust an expert in either oils or herbs they will gladly help you out there. Quercetin is another good nutrient that can be found in onions, apples and black tea where research has shown it actually blocks the release of histamines. Other experts recommend mixing one to two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar into a glass of water and lemon juice three times a day to relieve allergy symptoms.

Detoxifying the body, especially our liver, is a huge asset as the toxins within our bodies make our allergies worse! Try eliminating fried foods, sugar, alcohol and things you know are simply not good for you. Adding some liver support or doing a general cleanse could make a big difference as well as ensuring your gut flora is up to snuff as studies show that the strong presence of good beneficial bacteria in our gut (our other brain) reduces the incidence of allergies. Probiotics stimulate the immune system while hindering the growth of pathogens we don’t want and this is the key thing here, improving your immune system over time. I can’t emphasize this enough.

Everything I’ve just said helps the immune system in one way or another and all of these things are beneficial but should you feel you need a little extra help buffing up your own immune system please don’t hesitate to reach out to me as we were not put on this earth to suffer, but to enjoy all of the beautiful gifts of this wonderful planet, that means you too. Thanks for reading my blog, until next time!

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