UNDERSTANDING & MANAGING SEASONAL ALLERGIES
with Naturopathy
By Jess Cook
12th September, 2024
Spring is here and while many of us are enjoying the blooming flowers and warmer weather without any trouble, unfortunately up to 19% of Australians struggle with seasonal allergies, also known as allergic rhinitis. These allergies are triggered by pollen, dust mites, animal dander, and mould. But why do some of us struggle with this while others don’t?
There are a variety of reasons why some people are more susceptible to allergies:
Hygiene Hypothesis: this hypothesis suggests that growing up in an overly sterile environment has contributed to the rise in allergies, as exposure to a variety of microorganisms in early life is important for immunological development.
Birth Method: Other factors that can influence the development of allergies is whether you were birthed naturally or via cesarean, as this can significantly alter your microbiome and increase the risk of allergies.
Gastrointestinal Microbiome: the health of your gastrointestinal microbiome is important, a lack of diversity in the microbiome and/or an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria can increase allergic symptoms.
Other Factors: exposure to environmental pollutants, excessive antibiotic use, nutritional deficiencies (notably vitamin D, vitamin C, B6, zinc, omega 3, vitamin A), stress and certain dietary factors, presence of gastrointestinal conditions such as IBS, Crohn's, intestinal permeability, can all play a role.
Naturopathic Options for Symptom Relief
Let’s talk about some go-to naturopathic options for managing allergic rhinitis symptoms.
Quercetin - A Natural Antihistamine
Quercetin, a flavonoid found in apples, onions, and other fruits and vegetables, has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antihistamine properties. It can reduce symptoms like sneezing, itching, and nasal congestion by inhibiting histamine release from mast cells. A typical dose is 1500mg in divided doses throughout the day. Always consult with a health professional before taking quercetin, as it can interact with many medications.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is another option to help with managing seasonal allergies, it has antioxidant, antihistamine, and immune supporting properties. A dose of 500-2000mg can be taken in divided doses, but start small and see what works for you. If you start to notice loose bowel movements you should lower the dose of vitamin C. Also consider including vitamin C rich foods such as kiwi fruits, oranges, red capsicum, and lemons.
Herbal Medicine
There are various herbs that can be used by naturopaths to help with managing allergic rhinitis symptoms such as Eyebright, Albizia, Reishi, Baical Skullcap, and more. However it is best to consult with a naturopath before self-prescribing herbs. A naturopath can tailor a herbal remedy to your specific needs, make sure the dosage is appropriate for you, have access to high quality therapeutic grade ingredients, and help you to address other factors.
Working One-on-one with a Naturopath
If you are struggling with allergies, consider working with a naturopath. A naturopath can help you to identify potential triggers, look further at supporting your microbiome, dietary and lifestyle changes, and provide you with high quality, practitioner grade customised herbs and supplements that are tailored to your specific needs. I hope some of these tips were helpful for you.
If you’re struggling with allergies this Spring, come and have a chat with me in store, we can talk about booking you in for an appointment or I can offer some over the counter options for symptom management, you can find me at the Market Organics Clayfield store.
