The Holistic Approach to Seasonal Allergies

​Today is the first day of Spring.  Time to buy some raw local honey and start inoculating yourself with local pollens before the cottonwood flies!
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Ten Common Sense Tips:​

1. ​Remain indoors when pollen levels peak, when the grass is being cut, and when it is windy.
2. Apply a little Vaseline to the lower nostrils to protect and trap pollen grains from entering the upper nose.
3.  Keep the bedroom windows closed during the day to keep pollen out of bedding.
4. Do not hang washing outdoors during the day (it acts as a pollen trap).
5. ​Shower and wash your hair in the evening as soon as you return home from work to remove all pollen.
6. ​Change into fresh clothes as soon as you return home from work (pollen will have become trapped in your clothes).
7. ​Wear protective 'wrap around' sunglasses to prevent allergic eyes.
8. ​When driving, make sure the car windows as closed and switch on the air con which will filter out pollen grains.
9. ​Wash or douche the nasal passage with a dilute salt water solution or use commercial saline sprays available from all drug stores.
10. ​Take antihistamines starting two weeks before the pollen season starts. ​​​​​​

Dietary Considerations:

• ​Cut out dairy during allergy season.  It is one of the most common food allergens and just makes your symptoms more pronounced.  Choose plant milks, Daiya cheese or cheeses made from nuts, coconut kefir instead of yogurt and non-dairy frozen treats.
• Start reading food labels and eliminate foods containing the following additives:
• Sodium Benzoate - is found in: salad dressings, soda and carbonated beverages, jam, fruit juice pickles, wine, margarine, infant and children's vitamins. 
• Sulphites - are found in:  wine, dehydrated and dried fruit, cut potatoes, beer, shrimp, fruit jelly, foods containing dried fruit (trail mix, cereal, baked goods, etc.), syrup, maraschino cherries, soup, baked goods, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables, condiments, relish, fruit juice, seafood, packaged lemon juice, soft drinks, tomato products, parmesan cheese.
• Tartrazine (colorings) - is found in: candy, soft drinks, cereal, gelatin desserts, baked goods, ice cream, pudding, snack foods, energy drinks, flavoured chips, jam, yogurt, pickles, dessert powders and custard.
• Nitrites - are found in: cured meats, sausage, bacon, hot dogs, smoked meat and smoked fish.​

​Now you are saying....what's left?  That's my whole diet!  ​Not true.  Just be a smarter shopper. 

• ​Read labels.  Some more wholesome brands don't contain these additives.  You can easily find nitrite free cured meats.  Just read the labels and don't shop by price but by quality.
• Shop local - Lots of Farm Markets have local jams, jellies and pickles.
• Buy fresh locally grown fruits and vegetables.  Eat Real Food that is a close to nature as you can.
• Shop at Health Food Stores to ensure quality products.

What does all this have to do with allergies? ​According to Dr. Adrein Morris's article, ​'Food additives have been implicated as triggers for chronic non-allergic rhinitis and avoidance may benefit up to 8% of rhinitis sufferers.' ​

One food to add:
​Fredrich's Raw Local Honey - This company is in Cedar....this means the bees are collecting pollen from our local trees.  Consider taking a tablespoon of local honey every day starting a few months prior to pollen season.  This may act as a form of oral desensitization.

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One supplement to add:
Spirulina alleviates sinus issues. Spirulina benefits the body by reducing the inflammation that causes people to experience sinus problems, according to numerous studies.  Compared to placebo trials, spirulina is effective at reducing itching, nasal discharge, nasal congestion and sneezing.  Take as directed on the bottle.




References:

• ​Dr. Adrien Morris, Hay Fever and Allergic Rhinitis, www.allergy-clinic.co.uk/allergies/airway-allergy/hayfever, London
  
• Dr. Axe, 10 Spirulina Benefits & Side Effects, draxe.com/spriulina-benefits
  
• www.befoodsmart.com

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