Most of us experience some form of seasonal allergies, whether that be to hay, grasses, or trees; they all have one thing in common-pollen. When allergies occur, our body’s natural immune response is triggered and starts attacking the unwelcome intruders. This gives us runny noses, congestion, itchy eyes and even rashes or hives. This overreaction of our immune system can also leave us in an inflamed state which interrupts other bodily systems and also has a huge impact on our quality of life.
We hear it everywhere, people dreaming of a good rainfall to knock all of the pollen out of the air so that we can find some relief. However, we do not have to experience seasonal allergies every year!
What would your life look like if you didn’t have to dread spring and summer allergies? Would you spend more time outside and be more active? Would you get better sleep without congestion and sneezing fits? Often, relief from seasonal allergies creates a ripple effect of positivity and enjoyment in our lives. The best part is you don’t have to rely on over the counter allergy pharmaceuticals to ease your symptoms.
Most of our over the counter allergy medications have an array of side effects that are almost less favorable than seasonal allergies. They all use antihistamines which block the effect of histamines in our bodies. Histamines are a chemical naturally released in our body that helps fight infection, viruses, and aids in wound healing. They are a very important part of our bodies natural response.
As a naturopathic doctor, instead of putting out the allergy fire once it has already started, I like to prevent the fire from ever starting in the first place.
There are so many natural remedies for seasonal allergies, from quercetin, to utilizing local honey, and even homeopathic remedies. The trick is finding the right combination to fit your body composition and allergies. No two bodies are the same or react completely the same to any supplements or allergens, yet, once we find the supplements or remedies to help your unique system, you no longer have to anticipate yearly allergies.
If you struggle with seasonal allergies, give me a call, I am here to help.