I suffered from severe seasonal allergies and asthma for years.  My symptoms ranged from annoying to debilitating at times.  I had itchy eyes, a runny nose, and a fogged brain.  I was just plain miserable!  Sound familiar?  I went the conventional treatment route, but the side effects were as bad if not worse than the side effects of allergies/asthma.

As of today, I have not used a conventional allergy medication or my inhaler for 15 plus years! How did I do it?  It may be hard to believe, but I simply eliminated the foods in my diet that created inflammation and supported my immune system.  The most important time to start is LONG before allergy season begins.  Depending on where you live, seasons may vary, but it is typically March-April and again in the fall.

Here are the top 12 strategies that have worked for clients.

1. Switched from drinking cow’s milk to almond or other plant-based milk.  I use certified organic and non-GMO sources.  Greatly reduced or eliminated other sources of dairy such as cheese, cottage cheese, and yogurt.  I made those “sometimes foods” instead of consuming them daily.  Dairy products (lactose) do not break down well, for most, and create mucus in the body.

2. Used Alcat food sensitivity testing to determine what foods, herbs, and chemicals created inflammation.  Even healthy foods, for me, were creating inflammation like lemons, avocados, coconut, and turkey.

3. Once I learned that I had a mild intolerance to gluten, I switched to eliminating or using gluten-free organic grains. In many people, gluten sets the immune system into action and causes inflammation. Grains that contain gluten are wheat, rye, spelt, and barley. Gluten-free grain options are quinoa, rice, millet, and buckwheat. Also note that wheat and rice are two grains that are highly sprayed with glyphosate, a herbicide in Roundup, that has been linked to numerous health conditions including allergies.

4. Don’t just eat your greens, drink them! I drink a green drink almost every morning.  Organic greens, fruits, and vegetables in raw form are natural anti-inflammatory foods and gentle detox. In addition to tasting delicious, this drink supports your immune system by adding much-needed antioxidants to your cells.

5. Enzymes and Probiotics. Using plant-based enzymes between meals also works well for seasonal discomfort.  We carry healthcare professional-grade plant-based non-GMO enzymes that are much more potent than conventional enzymes.

Balancing gut health is key to supporting your body so adding a potent probiotic is critical. Consuming processed or nonorganic foods destroys our good gut flora. Probiotics are best taken in the morning with food. If you are looking for one of the best probiotic combinations to supplement, consider one that contains prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics.

6. Cleanse nasal passages with natural saline and that is drug and preservative-free. One safe brand is NeilMed NasaMist Saline Spray.

7. Add Concentrated Phytonutrients.  Modere Axis™ PhytoGreens is a simple way to get 27 highly bioavailable and bioactive ingredients including marine and leafy greens and adaptogens to help optimize alkalinity, energy, and digestive health. It’s non-GMO and tastes great.

8. Buy and consume certified organic or naturally grown local produce. Allergies can be a negative response to toxins so the goal is to reduce them in food, beverages, and personal care products. Herbicides (especially glyphosate) and pesticides can create respiratory issues and create more inflammation in our bodies.  Today, almost every grocery store carries thousands of organic items to enable you to eat clean. It is worth the time and money to go the extra mile.

Switch your in-between meals snacks from crackers and chips to fruit or raw veggies.  Be sure to avoid the MSG-laden ranch dressings and opt for hummus or organic dips. Again, fruits and vegetables act as natural anti-inflammatory agents. Fruits and veggies should come from the whole food either fresh or frozen, never canned. Canned foods are void of enzymes and nutrients, which are essential in reducing inflammation and building the immune system.

9. Vacuum your home more frequently, especially in your bedroom and if you have pets. Delegate to another family member (assuming they do not have allergies) or hire someone to do this for you.  Keep your windows closed during peak pollen seasons as well. We invested in a Roomba and this has helped immensely to save time, energy and it gets in those hard-to-reach spots we can’t (under the beds).

10. Eliminate chemical or perfumed cleaners, dryer sheets, detergents, soaps, and shampoos.  Consider making your own detergents and choose personal care products that are free of chemicals that aggravate your skin and cause inflammation. I clean with simple products like baking soda and/or vinegar.

One outstanding laundry detergent is Norwex. Not only is this product safe but it is the best at getting out tough stains. I was able to get ink stains off my husband’s brand new polo shirt after running it through the dryer!

11. Drink plenty of purified or reverse osmosis water to support the detox process. Your body is 70-80% water, so replenish it with the good stuff.  City/tap water contains heavy metals that block nutrients. To learn more about what pure water really is and bring an affordable system into your home, go to Aquasana.com. One of the better-bottled waters on the market is Fiji water.

12. Tongue Scraping. As crazy as this sounds, this ritual has really helped my allergies. Purchase a stainless steel scraper as they work better than the plastic versions. Scrape your tongue each morning before you brush. I start in the middle and then scrape both sides rinsing your scraper at each section. Using your toothbrush (which is what I used to use) doesn’t remove the bacteria but can drive it in. Since 70% of bacteria reside on the tongue, scraping can help keep you healthy and reduce allergy symptoms.

Understand that when you experience unpleasant symptoms your body is temporarily out of balance. Allergies and asthma are not necessarily lifetime conditions if you are diligent and disciplined with your diet and lifestyle. Reach out with questions as we love to help or let us put a personalized allergy support protocol together for you at no cost.