SPRINGTIME SUPPORT FOR ALLERGIES
Spring is here! The songbirds are singing, the days are getting longer, and there is a sense of hope in the air. This beautiful season of growth and renewal can also be marked by the ushering in of uncomfortable symptoms for those of us who experience allergies. We can already sense the subtle transition of the seasons and if you tend to suffer from allergies you may have already started to feel the onset of those symptoms.
Allergies create an inflammatory effect, so the sooner you support your immune system the less likely you are to experience an intense flare up of symptoms. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite, tried and trusted remedies for allergy support and relief. Learn more about these humble but mighty allies, starting with one of our most prized plant companions for spring, Nettles.
Nettle is an herbaceous wild plant native to Europe, Africa, Asia, and North America. As one of the most nutrient dense plants, it’s no surprise it has been used as a healing food and medicine throughout the world. Nettle leaves are a rich source of easily absorbable minerals and also contain powerful phytonutrients, vitamin C, carotenoids, B vitamins, chlorophyll, and are surprisingly high in protein. It is a beloved early spring tonic that helps support gentle detox through its affinity for kidneys, blood and circulation, and liver. Nettles are used medicinally for many health conditions but are perhaps best known for easing seasonal allergies.
In addition to its impressive nutritive properties, nettle contains natural antihistamine compounds that combat inflammation and reactivity of allergy sufferers. We love using nettles in the spring because it simultaneously supports gentle cleansing while reducing our body's histamine response to allergens.
Our most popular allergy remedy is our Allergy Hayfever Compound, an herbal tonic we make and recommend to address full blown, persistent allergy symptoms. It features nettles with the addition of goldenseal, licorice, osha and other powerful herbs used to alleviate sneezing, runny nose, sinus congestion, and itchy eyes and throat. This works like a charm every time.
We also recommend taking a high quality nettle leaf extract supplement, especially one that is combined with Quercetin (more on Quercetin below!). You can find our favorite one here. Making a nettle tea infusion using organic dried nettle leaves is another simple, cost-effective way to incorporate nettles into your daily routine. We recommend drinking at least 3 cups per day for noticeable relief. Sauteeing nettle leaves in a little olive oil a few times a week is also a fun and delicious way to support your body through allergy season.
Quercetin is a natural antioxidant bioflavanoid naturally found in many foods including apples, berries, and broccoli. It has shown to have powerful antihistamine properties and we find it provides relief from acute onset of allergy symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes and throat, and hives. We recommend this formula which contains both quercetin and nettles, in addition to immune supportive Vitamin C and bromelain. Roobios tea contains a high amount of quercetin so we oftentimes combine nettles with rooibos for a springtime tea.
Nasya is a daily Ayurvedic practice of using herbal oil to lubricate, protect, moisturize, and clear our nasal passageways. The blend of sesame oil with gotu kola, chamomile, peppermint, and brahmi nourishes and creates a wonderufl healthy moisture barrier, bringing gentle relief to dry, irritated, and congested nasal passageways and helps keep allergens from entering our system. We love using this Nasya oil blend for allergies, and as a bonus we find it helpful for brain fog, concentration, and anxiety.
S-Clear is an herbal throat spray that is designed to offer immediate relief of nasal and sinus congestion resulting from allergic reactions. The potent broad-spectrum antimicrobial herbs in this formula encourage elimination of invading pathogens, while the vapors from the essential oils dissipate up into the sinus cavity and immediately alleviate sinus pressure by opening congested passages. It is a great formula to have on hand if you are prone to sinusitis caused by allergies. You can find it here.
Vitamin C's natural anti-histamine properties make it useful in helping to reduce many allergy symptoms, including lessening the severity of sinus stuffiness and runny nose. We recommend taking at least 1,000 mg per day. We like this one with the addition of rosehips, a naturally high source of bioavailable Vitamin C.
Essential Fatty Acids such as omega-3's are important to the immune system because they reduce inflammation associated with allergic response by aiding in the production of prostaglandins that counter inflammation. Good sources of essential fatty acids are cold water fish, nuts, seeds. We use Nordic Naturals Lemon Flavored Fish Oil.
At their core, allergies are an immune response. A healthy, fortified immune system is the foundation of all allergy support efforts. A clean, antioxidant rich diet is always critical in supporting our immune systems, as is drinking plenty of purified water, exercising regularly, and finding ways to manage stress effectively.
We hope you find support and relief with any combination of these recommendations. We’re happy to help if you need guidance on which to choose or if you have any questions. Give us a call, stop by, or place your orders online for any of these springtime remedies. We’d love to help you feel your best so you can enjoy all the loveliness spring has to offer.