Sonoma Naturopathic Medicine’s Blog

Springtime is nearly here. For many, the start of spring is an anxious time filled with anticipation of the first runny nose, stuffy head, watery, itchy eyes, or asthma attack. But the change in seasons doesn’t mean that you have to hibernate until the dry summer hits.

The Naturopathic approach to allergies always involves two strategies:

1. Minimize exposure to allergens
2. Address immune system reactivity.

With some testing and questioning, it is not too difficult figure out which of the common culprits is behind allergies. Symptoms that manifest year-round are most likely caused by irritants in your daily surroundings; such as household dust, cleaning chemicals, molds, or dietary allergens. If the allergies are worse in the spring, you may also have seasonal allergies.

While you may not be able to avoid your triggers completely, there are many ways to help limit your exposure.

• Wash your face and hands often. This will help remove any pollen or mold that is on your clothing, hair and skin.
• Keep your windows closed to prevent pollen and mold from coming in.
• Keep your car windows rolled up and turn your air conditioner to re-circulate.
• Try to stay inside between 5 and 10 a.m. when pollen counts are generally the highest.
• Don’t hang clothes or sheets outside to dry when pollen counts are high.
• Ask someone else to mow the lawn and rake leaves. These activities stir up allergens. If you have to do these things yourself, wear a mask.
• Take your vacation somewhere with less pollen, such as the beach!
• Exercise indoors.
• Use a good quality air filter to remove particulate from the air and decrease exposures to allergens.

Immune system reactivity is often ignored in the treatment of allergies, but is of utmost importance when treating the cause. Allergy is the result of your immune system’s over-reaction to pollens, grasses, airborne fungi and even certain foods and cosmetics. With more than 60,000 chemicals already existing in our environment, and nearly 500 new ones being created annually, we face many biochemical challenges to our immune system.

When an allergen is introduced, certain cells in the immune system fight back by producing an excess of inflammatory chemicals, such as histamine. This chemical, along with a small cast of others, are responsible for the familiar allergic symptoms of runny nose, stuffiness, and watery eyes and sneezing. Antihistamines, the most common medication used to combat allergies, temporarily blocks the function of histamine at receptor sites. In other words, it suppresses the appearance of physical symptoms but does not address the underlying cause of the overactive immune system.  In addition to being merely temporary relief, antihistamines can produce undesirable side effects, such as dizziness, drowsiness and even depression such as with the medication Singular. The good news is that there is a better, more long-term, way to treat inflammatory disorders such as allergies.

Decrease daily stressors: Stress plays a big role in immune function. Stress signals the adrenal glands to release cortisol which temporarily shuts down immune function. Exercise, Qigong, meditation, baths, funny movies, relaxing music, candlelight… are a few ways to reduce stress.

Address food intolerances/allergies: Foods can be inflammatory and aggravate allergy season for most allergy sufferers. They cause cell membranes to be weaker and easier to break.. Ingesting foods which are high in omega-3 fatty acids, like cold water fish, stabilize cell membranes. Probiotics and glutamine are also helpful to help to decrease reactivity to food and strengthen the immune system.

Drink Water: One of the easiest and least expensive ways to reduce histamine concentration is to drink pure filtered water. Go for half the body weight in ounces (ex. a 70 lb child should drink 35 oz. of fluid).

Local Honey contains pollens that, when ingested, can create “oral tolerance” and gives many people a sort of immunization response. 1 TBS a day does the trick for some people. Do not feed a child under the age of 2 or a seriously immune compromised person raw honey, it can be contaminated with botulism.

Neti pot: This easy and inexpensive treatment removes mucus and pollen from the nasal membranes, reducing the chance of an allergic attack and sinus infections. Nasal irrigation uses a Neti pot filled with warm filtered water and a pinch of salt. See your local health food store for Neti pots and preparations.

Homeopathic remedies and Herbal Formulas. The right homeopathic remedy or herbal formula can do wonders for allergy sufferers. They are safe, effective, and have virtually no side effects.

Prepare early and prepare now. To prevent or reduce allergies, one must begin this protocol as soon as possible. It takes time to rebuild cell membranes: give the body proper nutrition and learn nasal irrigation. During this time, nasal irrigation should be underway keeping the nasal passages clear of pollen and other allergens.

Enjoy a trouble-free spring – year after year! Tell your friends about these simple ideas as well. They will thank you.

For more information on allergy treatment and services at our clinic, see our website at www.sonomanatmed.com or call our office to inquire how we may help you.

Drs. Marcus and Rebecca Porrino are both licensed Naturopathic Doctors and graduates of the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, OR., the oldest accredited naturoapthic medical school in the country. They maintain a full- time family practice in the town of Sonoma, CA called Sonoma Naturopathic Medicine.