Whether you have suffered from allergies your whole life, or have only recently developed symptoms, allergies can make you miserable! So then should you accept your fate, stock up on Zyrtec and Claritin, and resign yourself to a life of nasal suffering? That has not been our experience at Vital Health, and here’s why.
Also called “allergic rhinitis” or “hay fever”, seasonal allergies are triggered by plant pollens in the fall, spring, or summer, but can also be triggered by a buildup of mold, dust, or pet dander in the winter when indoor air flow is compromised. These irritants attach to special immune cells in the nasal mucosa that, due to a hyperactive immune response, release an “explosion” of a chemical called histamine into surrounding tissues. It is histamine that causes your allergy symptoms of runny nose and sinus congestion, sneezing, itchy, watery eyes, and cough.
Western treatment of allergies includes antihistamines, decongestants, and inhaled steroids. These medications–although they provide substantial immediate relief–offer no long-term solutions. In fact, some European studies show that long-term use of these medications can cause the development of other, more serious conditions later in life, including skin rashes, asthma, arthritis, and autoimmune disease.
Fortunately, there are long-term solutions to overcoming allergies that are entirely natural, and highly effective! These solutions address the root (actual cause) of the problem rather than merely the branch (the symptoms). These include:
Detox your liver. Allergies are the direct result of a liver overloaded with toxins, which then trigger a hyperactive immune response. Poor-quality diets high in processed food, environments high in toxic chemical or mold exposure, or weakened liver function due to disease or genetic disorders, all can cause our toxic burden to quickly override the liver’s daily capabilities. Regular liver detoxification helps to reduce this toxic overload, so that the liver can again function normally, and the body can quiet its’ histamine response.
Repair your gut. A little-known fact is that 70% of the body’s immune system resides in the gut! Due to this close relationship between the gut and our immune system, Individuals who are prone to food sensitivities are typically more prone to environmental allergies as well. Healing an inflamed or damaged gut will help to soothe and regulate an overactive immune response, and at the same time calm down the histamine response to inhalants.
Strengthen your immune system. A great way to do this is through acupuncture! More and more research has revealed that acupuncture assists in regulating our immune functions, exerting anti-inflammatory effects and helping to balance an overactive histamine response. If you are suffering through a bout of allergies, regular acupuncture is an effective way to manage symptoms without medication.
At Vital Health, we don’t think you need to be on allergy medication forever. We dig deep to uncover the true causes of your allergies, while making use of acupuncture, herbal formulas, nutrition and dietary supplements that will manage your “branch” symptoms beautifully while simultaneously treating the roots.
©2022 Darcy Greenwald, M.S.O.M., L.Ac. and Vital Health
