Seasonal Allergies

By: Kathryn Powell PA-C

What is Histamine?

People with seasonal allergies know exactly what histamine is because they take ANTI histamines (Claritin, Zyrtec, or Benadryl) and it helps them during an acute allergic response (sneezing, watery eyes, and rashes). That may be all that you know, so lets dive in! I tend to go more in depth than what is necessary but I am a total nerd - just bare with me here! You will love this.

• Histamine is a bio active chemical in your body involved in local immune responses (think skin, nose, mouth, feet, and blood vessels) as well as regulating physiological functions in the GUT ( helping with breaking down your food) and acting as a neurotransmitter for the BRAIN, SPINAL CORD, and UTERUS. It's everywhere in the body!

• Histamine is involved in the inflammatory response.

• As part of an immune response to foreign pathogens (ex. grass) histamine is produced by immune cells: basophils and mast cells.

• Histamine increases the permeability of the capillaries to white blood cells and some proteins, to allow them to engage pathogens in the infected tissues.

• Histamine is ESSENTIAL!

• Histamine is GOOD!

• Histamine protects us and keeps our immune system in check!

• Histamine release occurs when allergens (food, grass, pollen...etc) bind to mast-cell-bound IgE antibodies. Once histamine is release, it binds to the histamine receptors. There are 4 receptors. Each receptor is on different organs/tissues in the body and will make your body "react."

Here are some awesome ways to support your body on a daily basis against those pesky allergies that produce histamine:

1. Drink nettle tea daily! I buy in bulk from Mountain Rose Herbs. Place 1/4 cup of herbs in a quart mason jar and fill with boiling water. Let it sit over night. Strain the next morning and consume over the day.

2. Nettipot sinus rinsing with saline daily

3. Nourish Her Naturally Tincture (alfalfa and nettle leaf sources) for women, and Nourish Me for children and Nourish Him Naturally for men ages 8+

4. Sinus Saver Tincture (nettle, elderberry, dandelion, turmeric, black pepper synergistically work together to fight allergies)

5. Probiotics like this one for adults or kefir from kefir grains. Here is a probiotic for kids.

6. Local honey, which naturally contains antihistamine compounds

7. Quercetin - supplement or eat onions/garlic and quinoa daily. Quercetin naturally helps to break down histamine.

8. Elderberry syrup or tincture naturally contains antihistamine compounds

9. Remove dairy from your diet. Dairy can be inflammatory for some and contribute to mucus formation.

10. Beef Kidney contains DOA enzyme which helps break down histamine, Diamine oxidase (DAO) is a digestive enzyme produced in your kidneys, thymus, and the intestinal lining of your digestive tract. Its primary function is to break down excess histamine in your body

11. Get evaluated by an integrative dentist to see if you have any tongue ties/restrictions

12. Other minerals like Zinc, Magnesium, and N-AC are very helpful. Orthomolecular D- Hist Jr. is a great chewable for kids.

Sinus Saver Versus Second Generation Anti Histamine:

Claritin (or Zyrtec, Allegra) are all second generation antihistamines. They only block the Type 1 Histamine Receptors.

• Does not cross the blood brain barrier

• Passes easily into breast milk - so not recommended during nursing

• Help symptoms with skin, nose, eyes, helps with bronchoconstriction. There are also H1 receptors on the uterus, but it wasn't studied in the inserts on how Claritin affects it.

• It doesn't nothing with the amount of histamine in the body or helping your body eliminate it

Benadryl - is a first generation antihistamine and blocks all histamine receptors to some degree.

• It crosses the blood brain barrier

• It is NOT recommended in nursing mothers

• Acts on the central nervous system, cardiovascular system, skin, respiratory tract, uterus, GI tract, and white blood cells

• Does nothing with the excess histamine in body, does not help your body eliminate histamine.

• "ADVERSE REACTIONS The most frequent adverse reactions are under- scored: 1. General: Urticaria, drug rash, anaphylactic shock, photosensitivity, excessive perspiration, chills, dry- ness of mouth, nose, and throat. 2. Cardiovascular System: Hypotension, headache, palpitations, tachycardia, extrasystoles. 3. Hematologic System: Hemolytic anemia, thrombo- cytopenia, agranulocytosis. 4. Nervous System: Sedation, sleepiness, dizziness, disturbed coordination, fatigue, confusion, rest- lessness, excitation, nervousness, tremor, irritabil- ity, insomnia, euphoria, paresthesia, blurred vision, diplopia, vertigo, tinnitus, acute labyrinthitis, neuritis, convulsions. 5. GI System: Epigastric distress, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation. 6. GU System: Urinary frequency, difficult urination, urinary retention, early menses. 7. Respiratory System: Thickening of bronchial secre- tions, tightness of chest or throat and wheezing, nasal stuffiness" -FDA Drug Insert

Sinus Saver Tincture:

• Decreases the release of histamine from the Mast cells and decreases the levels of histamines

• It supports your body to degrade histamine

• Filled with nettle, elderberry, turmeric, dandelion. Nettle decreases the rate of the mast cells releasing histamine. Elderberry contains vitamin C and quercetin that help your body metabolize histamine. Turmeric decreases inflammation throughout the body. Dandelion supports your liver to break down histamine.

• It's FOOD. (Herbs) Not made in a lab. No additives.

• Basically zero side effects.

• Safe for pregnant and breast feeding mothers

• Safe for kids 2 years and up

• Taking Sinus Saver 1 to 4 times a day every day during high allergy season is very beneficial and can stop your nose from becoming inflamed in the first place.

• Pair with Immune Aid (vitamin C) on a daily basis, Lymphatic cream over the sinuses, and Breathe Well Salve on your body to help support your body through colds and allergies!

More thoughts that I think are important to understand with Histamine Intolerance (H.I.T.)

• Antihistamines don't actually fix the root cause of H.I.T. Antihistamines put a band-aid on the problem. Second generation Antihistamines literally block type 1 histamine receptor so histamine doesn't exert an effect on that receptor. That's all it does. So it can temporarily help with the symptoms but it still doesn't fix the issue of excess histamine build up because your body can not break it down fast enough. Also, it's only one receptor - there are 3 other receptors that are still having a biological effect.

• Benadryl, and first generation antihistamine, doesn't discriminate between which histamine receptors it blocks and it also crosses the blood brain barrier so it makes you tired as well as controlling your hives.

• So using exogenous DOA enzymes, co factors (like Zn, NAC, Magnesium, B6, vitamin C), and herbs (Turmeric, Astralagus, Nettle...), and a low histamine diet can address the root cause and help your body actually deal with the excess histamine.

• Nettle Leaf: rich in vitamins and minerals, anti-inflammatory. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3529973/

• Elderberry: helps to reduce cold symptoms like stuffy noses, modulates inflammation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4848651/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5372600/

• Turmeric Root: high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, anti-fungal properties, protects and strengthens liver. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5852989/

• Black Pepper: anti-inflammatory, helps with pain relief. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30740986

• Dandelion Root: antioxidant, supports healthy blood pressure. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5553762/, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2820990/

DISCLAIMER:

Last updated January 01, 2023

WEBSITE DISCLAIMER:

The information provided by Trim and Holistic Living (“we,” “us,” or “our”) on https://trimandholisticliv.wixsite.com/trim-and-holistic-li (the “Site”) is for general informational purposes only. All information on the Site is provided in good faith, however we make no representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability, or completeness of any information on the Site. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL WE HAVE ANY LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY LOSS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND INCURRED AS A RESULT OF THE USE OF THE SITE OR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THE SITE. YOUR USE OF THE SITE AND YOUR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION ON THE SITE IS SOLEY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

PROFESSIONAL DISCLAIMER:

The Site cannot and does not contain medical/health advice. The medical/health information is provided for general information and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly, before taking any actions based upon such information, we encourage you to consult the appropriate professionals. We do not provider any kind of medical/health advice. THE USE OR RELIANCE OF ANY INFORMATION CONTAINED ONT EH SITE IS SOLEY AT YOUR OWN RISK.

AFFILIATES DISCLAIMER:

The Site contain links to affiliate websites, and we receive an affiliate commission for any purchases made by you on the affiliate website using such links.