It’s believed that up to 17 percent of the population has mast cell activation syndrome, or MCAS for short.

Yet it’s one of the most unrecognized and under-addressed chronic conditions, and until 2016 wasn’t officially recognized as a diagnosis.

Even with its lack of notoriety, MCAS is a trending phenomenon. There are millions of TikTok and other social media videos on the topic, so awareness is increasing. 

What is mast cell activation syndrome, and what can be done about it?

What Are Mast Cells?

A team of infection-fighting white blood cells, mast cells are an important part of the immune system. Mast cells are in almost every tissue of the body, including:

• the skin
• the GI tract
• blood vessels
• nerves
• bones
• the brain
• the lungs
• the eyes
• the ears

What Do Mast Cells Do?

Mast cells are necessary for our survival, protecting us from invading pathogens and harmful substances, and helping with wound repair.

What is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome?

When triggered into an overreaction phase, mast cells mistakenly alert the immune system that something’s off. 

This false alarm causes the body to release high amounts of inflammatory mediators like histamine, as well as other chemicals that trigger the immune system into action. These chemical mediators activate even more mast cells to respond.

Over time, the mast cells start seeing almost everything as a threat.

What Causes MCAS?

Experts aren’t sure why some individuals’ mast cells overreact. While mast cell activation syndrome is not an autoimmune issue, if the immune system becomes overwhelmed and something comes along that pushes it over the edge, mast cell activation syndrome can occur in some people.

Traumatic medical events like surgery, injury, or illness; exposure to insect or reptile venom; medications; stress; and infections can all trigger MCAS.

Certain smells can be a problem too. A walk down the grocery aisle of laundry detergents and cleaning formulas with their synthetic fragrances can trigger a mast cell attack.

Types of MCAS

There are different types of mast cell activation.

• Genetic

  One is associated with genetic conditions that are linked to mastocytosis (a type of rare mast cell disease where the body produces too many mast cells).

• Allergic

  Another type of MCAS is triggered by certain allergies.

• Idiopathic

  A third variety is known as idiopathic mast cell activation syndrome. It has no determinable cause, as it’s not related to other diseases or clear issues.

  Those experiencing this type of MCAS have new triggers that come up and cause reactions.

How Do I Know If I Have MCAS?

Lab tests tend to be inconclusive, since the blood only shows spikes above the baseline for a few hours after an attack. Because of this, levels are tested not only when someone’s having an episode but also when they’re feeling fine.

Diagnosis typically requires that symptoms occur in at least two of the following areas: the skin, the lungs, the GI tract, and the cardiovascular system.

Some practitioners feel that symptoms must be so severe that they resemble anaphylaxis. However, the debate continues on how extreme or consistent symptoms must be in order to be considered part of MCAS.

Speaking of symptoms: one person’s presentation can be completely different from another’s. In fact, medical practitioners often misdiagnose mast cell activation syndrome for other conditions due to the multitude of conditions it causes.

Some professionals feel that MCAS is diagnosed too often.

Symptoms of MCAS

Mast cell activation syndrome symptoms vary from the mild to the rare and life-threatening, including anaphylaxis when swelling, hives, shortness of breath, and vomiting.

In less severe forms of MCAS, symptoms are varied and may include:

• abdominal pain
• brain fog
• chronic gut issues
• constipation
• diarrhea
• excessive drooling
• fatigue
• flushing
• food sensitivities and allergies
• heart palpitations
• increased heart rate
• insomnia
• itching
• joint pain
• lightheadedness
• low blood pressure
• muscle weakness
• numbness
• sensitivity to light or sound
• shortness of breath
• sinus congestion
• skin conditions:
  • rashes
  • rosacea
  • psoriasis
  • eczema
• swelling
• tingling
• tinnitus

It’s important to note that those with MCAS may notice symptoms randomly appearing and disappearing, and they may have difficulty determining the triggers.

What makes mast cell activation syndrome even more confusing is that symptoms can increase, change, and even worsen over time.

Many of the above symptoms can also be linked to other disorders such as postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), IBS, and Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS).

MCAS Treatments

There’s currently no cure for MCAS, nor are there any fast fixes. But research is expanding, and those who suffer from its debilitating cluster of symptoms can often find relief.

Mast cell activation syndrome is frequently managed with medications and other treatments.

• Identify and Avoid Triggers

  Trigger avoidance is key to preventing mast cells from overreacting. 

  Track your symptoms with a journal. List the foods you ate and any irritants you were exposed to.

  This can help you determine possible triggers like:

  • pet dander
  • plant pollen
  • bee venom
  • certain foods
  • toxic mold
  • chemical exposure
  • heavy metal exposure

  Nervous system dysregulation, temperature changes, exercise, lack of sleep, and stress can also be triggering.

• Stress Relief

  Practice stress-relieving tactics such as meditation, mindfulness techniques, resting, spending time with friends, and participating in a hobby. Supporting the nervous system can also be profoundly helpful.

• Try Over-the-Counter Meds

  Aspirin can help with flushing. Over-the-counter antihistamine formulas can help rid the body of inflammation.

• Seek Corticosteroids

  Corticosteroids may be prescribed to reduce inflammation and open airways.

• Seek Mast Cell Stabilizers

  Mast cell stabilizers can help regulate overreacting mast cells. When anaphylaxis is a concern, an EpiPen® will be prescribed.

  Keep in mind that if mast cell medications offer symptom relief, it’s a probable sign that you have mast cell activation syndrome.

• Consider Supplements

  • Quercertin for GABA Help

    For supplemental help, consider quercetin. GABA has been shown to inhibit mast cell activation, which can reduce the release of histamine and other pro-inflammatory substances.

  • CoQ10 for Energy

    Consider CoQ10 for mitochondrial and energy support.

The COVID Link

Those experiencing Long COVID have an increase in MCAS and its symptoms.

• Comorbidity

  A published study found an increase in MCAS triggered by SARS-CoV-2. Researchers theorized that increased mast cell activation due to COVID-19 infection may contribute to Long COVID.

• Overlapping Symptoms

  There’s a definite overlap in symptoms experienced in MCAS and Long COVID. In fact, they’re virtually identical, and can include:

  • anxiety
  • depression
  • migraines
  • brain fog
  • fatigue
  • coughing
  • sore throat
  • bloating
  • diarrhea
  • constipation
  • food intolerances
  • chest pain
  • heart palpitations

Precautions

• Seek Medical Advice

  See a doctor if you’re experience new or worsening symptoms to rule out serious issues.

• React to Emergencies

  Severe reactions from MCAS are rare, but if a serious allergy occurs (trouble breathing or swallowing; fast heart rate; swelling of the lips, face, tongue, or throat) call 911 or go to the emergency room.

Picture this: it’s a postcard-perfect spring day with bright sunshine, a warm breeze, and glorious flora blooming all around.

Stepping outside, you start to feel it:

• The itchy, red, watery eyes.
• The sudden sneezing attack.
• The stuffy nose.
• The piercing headache.
• The utter exhaustion.

Welcome to hay fever season!

Hundreds of airborne allergens exist. When the body comes into contact with these, some people’s immune systems overreact and histamines are triggered.

Why Essential Oils?

The common approach is to reach for over-the-counter relief when symptoms appear, but these treatments can have unwanted side effects.

For little to no side effects, look to the plant kingdom’s gift of essential oils as an alternative or complementary treatment.

Springtime need not be a dreaded time of year for the millions of us suffering from seasonal allergies. Essential oils target allergy symptoms through anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, or antibacterial action.

How to Use Oils for Allergies

There are many mechanisms through which these powerful actions can be delivered.

• Aromatherapy

  Simply breathing in an essential oil’s aroma is one. This is known as aromatherapy.

  Upon inhalation, an essential oil can provide immediate relief since it stimulates the body’s olfactory system.

• Topical Application

  Skin application is another approach. This treatment allows oils to enter the bloodstream.

  Before applying essential oils to the skin, be sure to dilute them with a carrier oil. Five drops of essential oil to one ounce of almond, olive, sesame, jojoba, or fractionated coconut oil is a safe ratio.

Helpful Tips

Other techniques for combating seasonal allergies include:

• diffusing essential oils through an essential oil diffuser
• using essential oils in bath products
• making a room spray from essential oils
• adding essential oils to diffuser jewelry
• placing a few drops of an essential oil in the palms of your hands and inhaling in deeply
• creating a roller blend of essential oil along with carrier oil and applying it to the forehead, temples, and neck

Recommended Oils

Here are some of the essential oils that work well for seasonal allergy relief.

• Blue Tansy

  Blue tansy has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic properties.

  For congestion, sneezing, and non-stop nasal drip, apply a small amount of this essential oil to a cotton swab. Use the swab to gently coat the oil to the inside of each nostril.

  Blue tansy essential oil can also be rubbed on the base of the neck, the bottoms of the feet, or behind the ears to lessen itchy eyes and ease congestion.

• Eucalyptus

  Eucalyptus, when inhaled, provides a cooling sensation that helps improve airflow and circulation. It also lessens inflammation.

  Usage

  Diffuse it, or inhale directly from the bottle to reduce allergy symptoms.

  Another technique is to pour a cup of boiling water into a bowl. Add 1 to 2 drops of eucalyptus essential oil. Drape a towel over your head, and breathe in deeply for 5 to 10 minutes.

  Combine eucalyptus essential oil with oregano and peppermint essential oils for a powerful allergy-fighting blend.

• Frankincense

  Frankincense offers anti-inflammatory properties, but it’s also antibacterial as well as being a powerful antioxidant.

  Usage

  Diffuse this oil during hay fever season to reduce coughing spells and sinus irritation.

• Lavender

  Lavender helps calm and reduce skin inflammation and can reduce the enlargement of mucous cells. It also relaxes the body and helps with sleep issues.

  Usage

  Try adding this essential oil to a bath, or diffuse it in a diffuser.

• Lemon

  Lemon is known for its antioxidant and immune-boosting properties. With its clean and bright scent, it can clear sinuses, reduce congestion, boost energy, and increase alertness.

  Usage

  Lemon essential oil can be applied to the skin along with a carrier oil, or it can be diffused.

  Precautions

  Take care when using citrus essential oils, as skin that’s been treated with them can burn and blister when exposed to the sun.

• Lemongrass

  Lemongrass offers antihistamine actions.

  Usage

  Diffuse this essential oil, or sniff it directly from the bottle.

• Marjoram

  Marjoram essential oil when inhaled can help break up mucus.

• Peppermint

  Peppermint has a stimulating scent that works to clear nasal passages and reduce inflammation. In fact, studies find this essential oil to be one of the best for reducing allergy responses and lowering histamine levels.

  Usage

  Inhale it directly or diffuse it. Diluted with carrier oil, peppermint essential oil can be applied to the skin.

• Our Special Blend

  A blend of ravensara, frankincense, and sandalwood in almond oil was used in a study to treat allergic rhinitis (the medical term for hay fever).

  Participants inhaled this blend and noted that their runny noses, blocked nasal passages, and sneezing fits improved.

Precautions

Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before beginning any essential oil treatment.

• Always take care when working with essential oils, as they are strong and potent healers.
• Shop for high-quality brands, and use as directed.
• Don’t ingest essential oils.
• Take care when using essential oils around children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and pets (especially cats).

Do a Patch Test

When working with essential oils, perform a skin patch test to check for reactions.

Test each oil you wish to use.

1. Mix the essential oil with carrier oil, and apply to unbroken skin (try the forearm).
2. If there’s no redness, inflammation, or rash after 24 hours, the oil should be safe to use.

It can be hard to believe that eating healthy food can cause unpleasant issues and make someone ill. But that’s exactly what happens when someone has histamine intolerance.

What is Histamine?

Histamine is a naturally released compound created by the body’s immune system. It’s perhaps best known for its role in wreaking havoc for those who experience allergies and anaphylactic symptoms.

What Does Histamine Do?

Though histamine gets a bad rap, it’s important for regulating digestion by triggering the production of stomach acid. Histamine is also necessary for the central nervous system, cognitive functioning, and the sleep-wake cycle.

Histamine is also pivotal to the body’s inflammatory response. It signals the immune system to prepare for action against potential invaders. 

What Causes Histamine Intolerance?

But here’s where the problem starts: enzymes in the body eventually break down histamine, so it won’t build up in the blood. When the body doesn’t produce enough of these necessary enzymes, the breakdown of histamine is affected and histamine intolerance develops.

Meet HMT and DAO

Two of the enzymes that break down histamine are histamine N-methyltransferase (HMT), which is found in the central nervous system, and diamine oxidase (DAO), which is found in the digestive tract.

HMT is typically more influenced by genes, while DAO is produced in the intestines. If someone has experienced intestinal damage, the body’s production of DAO can be affected. 

Conditions such as celiac disease, IBS, SIBO, leaky gut, and gluten intolerance, as well as medications like antidepressants, NSAIDs, immune modulators, antihistamines, and histamine blockers can lower DAO and contribute to the overproduction of histamine. 

When low levels of DAO and HMT enzymes are in the body, histamine can run amok and histamine intolerance results. An individual begins to react to all sorts of foods and other harmless allergens.

Symptoms of Histamine Intolerance

Symptoms are broad and varied, making it particularly difficult to diagnose histamine intolerance.

One study shows that up to 55 percent of individuals with digestive issues also have histamine intolerance. 

How do you know if you have histamine intolerance?

Here’s a list of some of the symptoms that can occur:

• Anxiety 
• Bloating 
• Cardiovascular issues:
  • low blood pressure
  • irregular heartbeat 
• Diarrhea 
• Dizziness 
• Eczema 
• GI disorders 
• Headaches and migraines 
• Hives 
• Hormonal issues and imbalances
• Itchy skin 
• Itchy tongue 
• Leaky gut 
• Menstrual cycle irregularities 
• Nasal issues:
  • congestion
  • difficulty breathing
  • runny nose
  • sneezing 
• Nerve-related issues:
  • numbness
  • tingling
  • burning 
• Rosacea
• Skin flushing 
• Sleep issues 
• Watery eyes 

It’s important to note that histamine intolerance is not a food allergy, although annoyingly some of the symptoms appear the same. 

Irregularity of Symptoms

Another frustration with histamine intolerance is the occurrence of symptoms. Issues seem to come and go with seemingly no rhyme or reason.

For example, you may eat a high-histamine meal in the morning and low-histamine foods for lunch. Symptoms begin a few hours later in the afternoon, making you think it was something you had for lunch.

In reality, it was the morning meal that put you over your histamine threshold.

Histamine in Foods

Almost all foods and beverages contain histamine, even healthy ones. The presence of histamine increases as a food ages, ferments, or spoils, which is why leftovers can be a problem for those with histamine intolerance.

Common Food Triggers

This list represents some of the histamine-rich foods and beverages out there.

Many of these items are considered high-histamine; others are histamine liberators, which means they trigger the body’s release of histamine; and a few inhibit or block the action of the DAO enzyme.

When figuring out which foods trigger histamine intolerance, start by avoiding the following.

• Aged and fermented cheeses 
• Avocados 
• Bananas 
• Canned fish:
  • tuna
  • mackerel
• Chocolate 
• Citrus fruits 
• Cured meats:
  • lunch meat
  • bacon
  • hot dogs
• Dried fruit 
• Eggplant 
• Fermented items:
  • buttermilk
  • cottage cheese
  • kefir
  • kombucha
  • sauerkraut
  • sour cream
  • soy sauce
  • yogurt 
• Nuts (including peanuts) 
• Pineapple 
• Shellfish 
• Strawberries 
• Tea:
  • black
  • green
  • white 
• Tomatoes 
• Vinegar-based and pickled foods:
  • mustard
  • pickles
  • ketchup

It can be depressing to realize all of the foods that can contribute to histamine intolerance. But keep in mind that everyone has different food triggers, and not everyone with histamine intolerance will react to all of the above.

There are blood tests that check for histamine and enzyme ratio levels. But if you can’t or don’t want to get your blood tested, following a histamine-reducing diet is another way to see if histamine is affecting you.

Low-Histamine Foods

Here are some lower-histamine items to consume:

• Berries:
  • blackberries
  • blueberries
  • raspberries 
• Coconut water (fresh) 
• Cooked eggs 
• Dairy substitutes:
  • coconut milk
  • hemp milk
  • rice milk
• Fresh fish, meat, or poultry 
• Fresh fruit:
  • apples
  • cantaloupe
  • grapes
  • kiwi fruit
  • mangoes
  • pears
  • pomegranate
  • watermelon
• Gluten-free grains:
  • amaranth
  • millet
  • quinoa
  • rice
  • teff 
• Herbal teas
• Oil (olive or coconut) 
• Vegetables:
  • artichokes
  • arugula
  • asparagus
  • Brussels sprouts
  • carrots
  • cauliflower
  • potatoes
  • rutabagas
  • sweet potatoes
  • turnips 

Avoiding Triggers

There’s no doubt that a histamine-reducing diet can be restrictive, but it does help manage and relieve symptoms. Follow it strictly for two to four weeks. 

Reintroduce the high-histamine foods you excluded, one at a time, to see if problematic symptoms return. If a food causes no reactions, add it back to your diet.

It helps to keep a food journal to track re-introduced foods and any symptom reemergence.

Precautions

Keep in mind that a histamine-reducing diet should not be followed long term, since it reduces healthful nutrients that come from eating a wide variety of foods.

Consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any elimination diet to insure proper nutritional intake. And don’t stay on a histamine-reducing diet for too long, especially if it’s not working.

Treatment

The time it takes for the body to eventually lower its histamine levels and restore healthy equilibrium varies greatly, from a few weeks to many months.

• Medicines and Supplements

  Some healthcare providers may recommend over-the-counter or prescription medications to control histamine amounts in the body.

  These include epinephrine injections, corticosteroids, antihistamines, and supplements (herbal, vitamin, mineral).

  DAO supplements can offer relief, as well as vitamin B6, which is a cofactor for DAO enzyme production and has been shown to improve DAO levels. 

• Comorbidities

  Histamine intolerance is typically not an isolated condition. It generally occurs along with other health conditions, particularly gastrointestinal issues.

  When these other conditions are treated and a person gets better, histamine intolerance also improves.

As a practicing pharmacist for over 20 years, every spring and fall, I get asked many times, what is the best medication for seasonal allergies? To which I reply, none of them. No medication will ever truly help your seasonal allergies.

You are going about it all wrong and here is why.

Histamine is not the issue.

Contrary to popular belief, seasonal allergies are not a histamine problem. I know, hard to believe as the options that line the pharmacy shelves are all labels “anti-histamine”.

We have been conditioned to believe that by controlling histamine (with pills, creams, liquids) we are treating the problem. But in reality, we are only scratching the surface.

The Core Reason for Seasonal Allergies

While histamine is certainly a component of seasonal allergies, it is just a small part of the real issue. Your Immune system.

Seasonal allergies to pollen, dust, mold, pet dander and many others is caused by your immune system over-reacting to something harmless.

Reacting in the same way it would to a virus or bacteria recruiting additional immune cells that result in inflammation.

Designing the Ideal Allergy Remedy

The ideal natural allergy remedy would involve a combination of herbs that address histamine and balance your immune system.

All too often, I find that many natural brands overly focus on controlling histamine with combinations of ingredients such vitamin C, bromelain, stinging nettle, quercetin and many more. Worse, many brands, when you look at their labels closely, are almost identical formulas.

These formulas often miss the mark on how to truly help people with allergies.

Immune Support is the Key

The true problem with seasonal allergies is not histamine as we have been trained to think. It is our immune system.

Much like how our body’s immune system responds to viruses, it sometimes undergoes the same response to allergens such as pollen, pet dander, mold and more. For people with seasonal allergies, your immune system has identified it as a foreign entity that must be attacked and removed.

This immune response is a natural reaction and favorable. But sometimes the immune system overreacts and creates unnecessary inflammation by releasing too many inflammatory mediators and recruiting excessive help from the immune system.

The secret to seasonal allergy control is in balancing the immune response. Balancing the immune response in the right way can make all the difference.

Top 5 Herbs for Immune Support for Seasonal Allergies

• Butterbur

  Acts by stabilizing an important immune cell called the mast cell.

  Mast cells contain a lot of inflammatory medications such as interleukins, prostaglandins, cytokines and histamine.

  Butterbur standardized to petasins has been shown in clinical studies to be very effective at stabilizing the cell membrane and limiting the release of these highly inflammatory chemicals.

• Apigenin

  Often overlooked but so important in the moderation of the immune response for allergies.

  This ingredient is found in high concentrations in parsley and celery. Its specific action is balancing T helper cells.

  T helper cells are divided between TH1 and Th2. An imbalance in T helper cells can lead to worse allergy symptoms.

  Apigenin restores this balance in your body.

• Andrographis

  This ayurvedic herb has a long history of showing benefit for immune support.

  Andrographis contains andrographolide which helps support inflammation and has mild astringent properties. Highly standardized andrographis promotes healthy breathing pathways quickly.

• Rosmarinic Acid

  Derived from the rosemary plant, this ingredient when used in its purest form can have a significant impact on histamine.

  Rosmarinic acid is best used in combination with other herbs when using it for seasonal allergies.

• Quercetin Dihydrate

  Very beneficial for controlling both histamine formation and release. It also has some benefits for stabilizing mast cells.

  Quercetin alone is not very effective for seasonal allergies but when paired with other immune support ingredients, it can be very effective.

  It is important to know that not all quercetin forms are equal in absorption. Quercetin dihydrate has very good absorption characteristics (up to 80%) in the GI system compared to traditional quercetin which is only 5% absorbed into the body.

If you live anywhere in the US, chances are you're quite familiar with seasonal allergies. We're plagued by an incredible dousing of pollen every year that quite literally covers EVERYTHING. But even if that's not the case in the place you call home, there are plenty of other allergens that can stir up symptoms.

While there are plenty of OTC options, many of these come with a list of unwanted side-effects. What if we were to tell you that there are natural options, with no side-effects that work equally as well (based on clinical studies), and can work in as little as twenty minutes?

Our guest this week is the formulator of a some really fantastic natural allergy supplements, registered clinical pharmacist Dr. Jason DuBois.

Keep your nose clean, healthy, and breathing right with Xlear Saline Nasal Spray with Xylitol.

As Spring arrives, the leaves on the trees and the bulbs we planted last year are not the only companions the season offers.

Allergies come along with these new beginnings, and while many people turn to antihistamines for relief, there are natural remedies that can help you embrace the outdoors fearlessly.

Natural Remedies for Springtime Allergies

• Fight Allergies with Astragalus

  Astragalus stimulates the immune system as it eases allergy symptoms. Studies show the greatest benefit of this traditional Chinese medicine is that it provides relief from that annoying runny nose.

• Bromelain to Help Reduce Sinus Inflammation

  Bromelain, an enzyme found in the stem and fruit of the pineapple plant, breaks down proteins in swollen tissues, like inflamed sinuses. Look for bromelain in supplement form.

• Boost Your Immune System Through Allergy Season with Garlic

  Garlic has years of research behind it supporting its use for health issues ranging from high blood pressure to digestion problems, and, yes, even springtime allergies and sinus congestion. Garlic cloves may give a boost to the immune system and fight coughs, earaches, and bronchitis, making it popular during allergy season.

• Keep Cough & Allergies at Bay with Ginkgo Biloba

  Ginkgo biloba has been used in Chinese herbal medicine for more than 5,000 years. This known anti-inflammatory helps treat symptoms of allergies and coughs.

• Quercetin as a Natural Antihistamine

  Quercetin is an antioxidant found in almost all herbs and plant foods. Quercetin eases allergy symptoms as it halts the growth of cells that secrete histamine, but it doesn’t cause drowsiness like antihistamines. It is especially abundant in apples and green tea. For maximum effectiveness, consider taking this ingredient in supplement form.

• Let Stinging Nettle Battle Back That Allergy Attack

  Don’t let the name scare you! Nettles, when cooked or dried and eaten as a vegetable, provide an antihistamine. Nettles may also be boiled and made into tea, added to soups or stews, or taken in supplement forms.

• Reduce Pollen Allergens with Yogurt

  If eaten daily during allergy season, yogurt can help reduce grass pollen allergies, according to research from UC Davis.

• Clear Allergies Away with a Neti Pot Day to Day

  Saline nasal irrigation using a neti pot clears irritants and mucus from the nasal passages. Use sterile, distilled, or previously boiled water. Wash the device after each use.

Xlear's patented saline solution with xylitol naturally washes the nose of bacteria and contaminants that we come in contact with every day, helping us breathe better and feel better.

Ah, when the days of summer are lazy, hazy, and making people crazy—with hay fever. Ragweed allergies hit hard this at this time of year. The unfortunates are easy to spot—their coughing, watery eyes, sneezing, and fatigue give them away. Among the sufferers are a growing number of middle-aged people who’ve never had hay fever before. Why the sudden uptick of seasonal allergies in the middle aged?

Why Allergies Develop During Middle Age

Allergy experts posit several reasons. Air pollution has been found to work synergistically with allergens to create more hay fever symptoms. There have also been increasing levels of pollen counts—both in terms of daily averages and “number of days when pollen exceeds a certain limit,” said Harsan Arshad, professor of Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the University of Southampton, in an interview with the Telegraph. In the past, an allergic response may not have been triggered because pollen levels were lower.

Climate change is also causing an increase in allergies. The Union of Concerned Scientists reported that “[c]arbon dioxide, the heat-trapping gas that is the primary cause of our warming planet, increases the growth rate of many plants and increases the amount and potency of pollen. Rising temperatures extend the growing season and the duration of allergy season.”

Fortunately, there are many ways to fight hay fever naturally.

Natural Remedies for Hay Fever

• Butterbur & Nettles as an Antihistamine

  Extracts of the herbs stinging nettle and butterbur help relieve seasonal allergy symptoms. Nettle decreases inflammation and acts as an antihistamine. Butterbur also works as an antihistamine, and research shows it can be as effective as Zyrtec and Allegra—without as much drowsiness or fatigue.

  If you want to try butterbur, look for Petadolex; this is a special extract of the herb that removes the liver-toxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids from its roots.

• Garlic for Sinus Congestion

  This common kitchen herb helps treat allergy-related sinus congestion and coughs. With more than 70 active ingredients, garlic can also help reduce inflammation and boost the immune system.

  Other remedies for seasonal allergies include Pycnogenol, a pine bark extract rich in antioxidants, and bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapple that can reduce nasal swelling and inflammation.

• Medicinal Mushrooms for Immunity

  “Allergies occur when the immune system is irritated and malfunctioning, eliciting an immune response to otherwise harmless substances,” said herbalist Maria Noël Groves. “Over time, you may be able to decrease incendiary inflammation and retrain the immune system so that you’re less reactive to pollen.”

  To do so, Groves recommends medicinal mushrooms including reishi, chaga, and shiitake, as well as astragalus root. All appear to strengthen the immune system, she said.

Homeopathy v. Hay Fever

Researchers have found certain homeopathic treatments help with hay fever. One study showed that hay fever symptoms were better reduced by a homeopathic remedy compared to placebo. In another study of patients with hay fever, the authors found that “the homeopathy group had a significant objective improvement in nasal airflow compared with placebo group.”

Several homeopathic medicines, including those manufactured by Boiron, can target specific allergy symptoms. Here are a few to consider.

Nasal congestion: Apis mellifica relieves nasal congestion with stinging pain and swollen nasal mucosa caused by allergies.

Sneezing: Reach for Galphimia glauca, which helps with sneezing fits associated with hay fever.

Eye allergies: Euphrasia officinalis relieves abundant and irritating eye discharge.

General allergy symptoms: Histaminum hydrochloricum is well-known and widely used to ease a variety of allergy symptoms, including sneezing, runny nose, and itching.

Burning nasal discharge: Kali iodatum alleviates burning discharge, especially when accompanied by with pain at the base of the nose.

Runny nose: Natrum muriaticum targets a runny nose from allergies with clear, watery discharge that is worse in the morning

Lifestyle Hacks for Hay Fever

In the battle of human versus ragweed, more than herbs are needed. Saline sprays or xylitol sprays help unclog the nose, reduce inflammation, decrease postnasal drip, and flush away allergens. A neti pot works similarly.

Wraparound sunglasses can protect eyes from pollen as can eye drops. During a high pollen day, take a shower when you get home and change your clothing. Keep windows shut as much as possible. Avoid doing yard work.

Certain foods fight allergies by boosting immunity and triggering allergy-easing processes in your body. In addition to garlic, eat broccoli, citrus fruits, onion, and leafy greens like collards and kale.

Take on allergy season, and be proactive with Xlear. Breathe Better Be Better!