What are our allergies really telling us? They’re hinting at more than your inability to keep on your overpriced concealer and nasal vaseline.
Allergies are actually an EXTERNAL SYMPTOM attempting to communicate your body’s problems from within. So, what are the real culprits? Stress levels, inflammation, and gut health (so much thanks to the Christmas season and the IRS for the stress part.)
On today’s edition of if you want to run away from Texas where no exploding cedar trees and 60MPH wind gusts exist, I’ll be sharing my best advice on how to treat allergies (specifically, cedar allergies) from the inside-out—by addressing the internal terrain/environment.
I tell many of my clients, the external environment is triggering their internal response. This is a true measure and test of the terrain within the body. So, let’s not rush off to the allergist just yet…
Ah, that first scent of…CEDAR POLLEN: the waft of yellow dust and volatile Texas temperatures (we don’t have a winter, we have cooler days). Most of us feel rejuvenated with a break from the extreme heat, and the ability to play outside without melting into a sweaty puddle. But for most Texas residents, Cedar season is truly its own season; a season of PURE MISERY. I’m pretty sure the stock of Puffs increases ten-fold in Texas alone.
Often accompanied with itchy, watering eyes and a stuffy nose, this makes most of us dread the day after Christmas.
Unforutnately, Cedar season is upon us already, the earliest cedar season yet. Seasonal allergies can really throw a wrench into our Christmas spirit.
So the question becomes, why is it that some of us seem to have to shut ourselves inside, seal our windows and hide under blankets, while others can practically throw pollen around like confetti and dance with a cedar tree, completely unaffected?
The truth about allergies and inflammation levels:
The symptoms of allergies like red itchy, runny eyes and the swelling and irritation of our airways all come from the wild wild west of inflammation-ville, caused by chemicals that we release from our very own cells. This is the body’s misguided attempt to protect ourselves. Therefore, anything that makes us more inflamed—whether it’s food, chemicals, or even stress—can worsen our allergies.
So ask yourself, what’s amping your natural stress response? The body interprets stress in a variety of ways. I often hear from my clients “I’m not stressed.” While you may not be consciously stressed, your body can find your dairy-chalked latte stressful, or your commute, or your exercise routine. Over time, these stressors build up and your body will have a triggering event that tests its wherewithall. So, whether it be: emotional stress, eating too much sugar (hi delicious christmas cookies, fudge and candy canes) or processed foods, dairy, gluten, a bad breakup? Skimping on sleep, these all add up to quite the tax on the body. And wouldn’t you guess, cedar season comes at peak stress times like Christmas and New Years. When our stress levels run high, our brain starts telling our body to secrete hormones like cortisol and chemicals like histamine and other neurotransmitters. Several studies have shown that this can make us more inflamed, create more congestion in our nasal passages, and even worsen asthma.
Now I bring you good news of tidings and cheer (if you aren’t digging your grave next to a exploding cedar tree yet.) There are natural and safe methods to redirect our immune system, calming the inflammatory response and lessening our allergy symptoms. But you gotta put in the WERK, ya feel me?
Cut the Crappy Food:
Cut out processed sugar, dairy and gluten. You will be AH-mazed. Lessen the diet’s inflammatory load on the body and you will lessen your body’s interpretation of stress.
Can I get a C? C is for Antioxidants:
Eating diets rich in natural sources of vitamin C and vitamin E can reduce immune imbalances and help with allergic response. Vitamin D is also one of the most common vitamin deficiencies in the world, which is significant because it’s an important immune modulator, and supplementation can potentially play an important role in reducing allergic asthma.
Eat Bacteria:
Adding in probiotic foods such as fermented sauerkraut, kimchee, and kefir will maximize your gut immunity. In addition, taking a good-quality probiotic with at least 30 billion colonies and multiple strains of lactobacillus species can improve immunity and reduce allergies. In order to feed the good bacteria and keep them happy, add prebiotic fibers like chicory, inulin, and raw Jerusalem artichoke to your daily routine. (thanks mind body green)
Make Your Diet Anti-Inflammatory:
Many of ingest a diet high in Omega 6 fatty acids, which throws off the Omega balance. Optimizing Omega balance is key and can really help with an allergic response. Omega-3 fatty acids from fish such as salmon and sardines can play a strong anti-inflammatory role in both asthma and allergies. Also consider taking an omega-3 supplement daily to decrease your allergies.
Here are my favorite supplements, routines and suggestions:
Plants rock my socks off, which is why most everything on this list will contain some sort of herb, tree or shrub. Embrace it.
PEA Soothe Capsules (neurobiologix brand) in the AM with CBD oil in the PM, this routine is a must. (some people see upwards of a 90% reduction in allergic responses using this routine, but you MUST BE CONSISTENT and it will take some time, like all good things ;))
Link for PEA Soothe: https://www.whollywell-nbestore.com/PEAsoothesupport-p/015.htm (Use codes: WHOLLYWELL and WHOLLYWELL5 for free shipping and 5% off your order.)
Link for Hemp Oil: https://kelseyjack.primemybody.com/prod_SING1018
Bromelain with Quercetin (NOW brand, available at HEB)
Link for Bromelain: https://amzn.to/2Sd1kQ7
Histoplex AB by Biotics
Link for Histoplex AB: https://amzn.to/2QFPAZu
Easy Breather by Herbalogic (available at HEB in capsules or tincture liquid, liquid is cheaper)
Link for Easy Breather: https://amzn.to/2Lr7vNG
Easy Breather is an herbal remedy made especially to fight cedar fever. The formula, adapted from traditional Chinese herbal remedies by two acupuncturists from Austin, is jam packed with herbs used for centuries to support the body’s immune response to seasonal changes in the environment. When added to your dietary routine before and during cedar season, Easy Breather can greatly reduce the likelihood you will experience the effects of tree pollen.
Allertonic capsules (Amazon or Sprouts)
Link for Allertonic: https://amzn.to/2GxfYjD
Homeopathic Histaminum or Apis 30c
Link for Histaminum: https://amzn.to/2UWux3D
Link for Apis: https://amzn.to/2S8sis8
Stinging nettle tea with raw honey
Link for stinging nettle: https://amzn.to/2UZL7j1
Young Living is my complete and total jam, and to rejuvenate the respiratory system and decrease stress on the lungs I highly recommend the following oils: SniffleEase (I’m obsessed) RC, Raven, Lemon, Lavender, Peppermint, Dorado Azul, OrthoSport or Breathe Again Roll On. They also make easy peasy shower cubes now. Rub oils on chest and feet with a carrier oil, put socks on. Also run your diffuser like mad.
If you’re not a Young Living member (seriously why haven’t you done this yet) Email me directly at WhollyWellNutrition@gmail.com and I will get you the hook up.
Become a true hippie and purchase a dry brush and take a hot epsom salt bath (you have my permission to meditate whilst doing this.)
Link for dry brush: https://amzn.to/2GKU8tl or purchase at Whole Foods, Sprouts, etc.
Infrared sauna weekly (Go see my good friends at CryoFit in Leon springs)
Location here: https://www.mycryofit.com/location/us/texas/san-antonio-west-i10/
Cut out dairy, gluten and sugar. Focus on nutrient dense, healing foods and good broths, you’re welcome.
May the river of uncontrollable and perpetual tears from cedar pollen cease this Christmas season.