Natural Alternatives for Allergy and Asthma

It is definitely Spring at the Stillman House. The garden has taken off,the hens are laying,and our butterflies have emerged! And with Spring comes pollen and LOTS of it.  It is literally raining pollen in our yard. I came across this article in Mother Earth News that has a good summary of allergy triggers and natural remedies. It seems that this allergy season hit hard and is going to last long,so I thought I would do a recap blog on natural alternatives for allergy and asthma.

Allergy Triggers

1. Pollen and Mold –This time of year the pollen is coming down like rain. We have a HEPA air filter in the kids room with a UV light to kill the mold spores. I find it helps a lot. Also we change the main filter for the AC every few months. I am very allergic to molds,so I am careful to eliminate all moisture in and around the house. I like to use vinegar and tea tree oil to kill molds in the house and hydrogen peroxide (with water) can help to get the stains out.
2. Milk –Casein is the protein in milk that can trigger the release of histamine. Histamine triggers an inflammatory response,such an in allergies and asthma. It is often a good idea to reduce or eliminate milk products during allergy season,especially the hard cheeses. The harder the cheese the the more casein (and less lactose).
3. Cleaning Products - many cleaning products can be hard on the respiratory system. Besides fragrance there are many toxic chemicals in most cleaners. Here is a link to the EWG guide to detoxifying your home.  The American Lung Association has a guide to non-toxic cleaning. I also will post my favorite recipes for my Natural Spring Cleaning Workshop later in the month,but here are some of my older cleaning recipes.
4. Antibiotics and Steroids –Antibiotics and steroids can start a cyclical dependence that lowers the bodies ability to fight allergies,asthma,virus,and infections on it’s own. I have already written on this subject in Allergy and Asthma:What Every Mother Should Know. But to summarize,antibiotics kill all bacterial (flora) in the body including the good bacterias that help us digest our food properly and fight off invaders (colds/virus/allergies). These bacterias in your gut make up more than 70% of our immune system. Antibiotics kill that immune system. Given enough time most of us can recover without outside help,but repeated doses of antibiotics and/or already sensitive stomachs may never recover. I truly believe most children (and adults) are functioning with suppressed immune systems due to bacterial imbalance. That is why I am a huge proponent of probiotics (see below for more). The problem with steroids is a little different. Our bodies naturally produce steroids in order to fight inflammation,but when we take synthetic steroids regularly,our body stops producing it’s own. Then more steroids are required to fight inflammation (ie. asthma attacks),and the cycle continues. Please read my previous post to learn more. I would never recommend immediately taking a child (or adult) off steroids,but I do recommend trying to build your child’s immune system and own anti-inflammatory response. Then when you and your doctor feel ready,trying to wean your child off the steroids.

Natural Alternatives for Treating Allergy and Asthma

1. Multi-Vitamin:Many studies suggest that the B vitamins,magnesium,and selenium all can help to reduce the symptoms of allergy and asthma,including inflammation. In addition,Vitamins C and E help to build the immune system. My children take Perfect Kids by Super Nutrition. It is the only whole food vitamin I have found that has high concentrations of the B vitamins. For more information on how to choose a multivitamin CLICK HERE.
2. Probiotics:OK,I’m a huge fan. My kids take them daily,but I don’t recommend that for everyone. I do recommend taking them when traveling,during and after a virus or antibiotics,and for irregular bowls. CLICK HERE to learn more on how to choose a probiotic.
3. Natural Anti Inflammatory: I view Elderberry as a “super food.”I believe that our families respiratory health is great because of the elderberry syrup we take regularly. Elderberries are anti-inflammatory,anti-viral,full of antioxidants,and immune boosting. In our home we use elderberry syrup or tea at the first sign of cold,virus,cough,or runny nose. Here are a few of my previous posts on elderberries:Elderberry Syrup Recipe,Natural Remedies for Cold and Flu Season,Chocolate Elderberry Cough Syrup Recipe,and Alternatives for Persistent Cough. Turmeric is another good anti-inflammatory. I try to include turmeric in any recipe that I think it will go well with. But for those who take it for it’s anti-inflammatory properties usually take it in capsule form. Curcumin is the the active ingredient in turmeric. It works a lot like ibuprofen,but may not be quite as effective pain relief. And like ibuprofen,it can cause stomach irritation or other bowl problems if taken at high dosages for prolonged time. I would not use high dosages regularly,but seasonally. It maybe hard to find dosages for children. I have not yet found a resource or any information for children under 6 or 60 lbs,but it is common in medicines and supplements for children over 60 lbs. to be prescribed half the adult dosage. (Please note this is my own estimate and not an exact nor very scientific dosage.) This can still be vague because adult dosages are often something like 2-6 capsules a day. In this case I would start with 1 and use no more than 3 per day.
4. Natural Antihistamine:Quercetin,Butterbur,and Stinging Nettle are all natural antihistamines. “[Quercetin] helps block the release of histamine that causes inflammation.” For my own allergies,I take Quercetin capsules as directed on the bottle. I do not give it to my children because I am not sure of dosage because they are so light (about 30 lbs).  But for children over 60 lbs,I would give half an adult dosage. “[Stinging Nettle] this botanical contains carotene,vitamin K,and quercetin.”I have a stinging nettle tea that I sometimes take for milder reactions. It doesn’t taste that great alone,but I add local honey. My kids do not like tea,but sometimes I give them some of this when I suspect allergies as an underlying problem for their symptoms. It is also common for Stinging Nettle to be combines with Quercetin in capsules. “[Butterbur] appears to work as a leukotriene inhibitor,which blocks some chemicals that trigger swelling in the nasal passages.”Butterbur is probably the most extensively used herb for allergies,but you have to be careful in choosing which supplement to use. “Some butterbur preparations contain chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs),which can damage the liver and cause other serious harm. Only butterbur products that are certified and labeled “PA-free” [or UPA-free] should be used.) And never eat unprocessed Butterbur. I would use as directed.  (All Quotes from WebMD).
5. Natural Antibiotic:The most powerful natural antibiotic that I know of is oregano oil. That being said it is still an antibiotic and should be treated as one. It will not be as helpful with a virus. And you should always take probiotics while taking oregano oil. I don’t have much experience with oregano oil myself,although I have friends who swear by it. I found this link on the properties and uses for Oregano Oil. Also,I would always buy from a reputable source and use as directed. Garlic is another great antibacterial that I use often to treat or prevent  ear infection,as you may have read in my previous post Naturally Fighting Ear Infection.
6. Natural Decongestants:The most effective natural decongestants I have found to be essential oils,eucalyptus and camphor. I use them both with a little peppermint oil in a vapor plug or humidifier while the children sleep.  I also have a recipe for a vapor rub using these oils. Mustard is another great decongestant and detoxifier. For my recipe for a mustard bath CLICK HERE.

If you want more information,here are a few of my previous posts on allergy and asthma:

• Asthma and Children:What Every Mother Should Know
• Asthma and Allergy Triggers
• Herbal Remedies for Allergy and Asthma
• Virus or Allergy

I hope you can find some relief and enjoy this wonderful Spring!