Chelsea Natural Health Clinic

Nutritional Therapy with Erin McCann and Halina Osinski at Chelsea Natural Health, Fulham Rd, SW10

Nutritional therapy helps people to improve and maintain their health and sense of well-being through advice on diet and nutrition. Better nutrition helps the body heal itself more quickly and helps prevent disease processes getting started in the first place. if you would like more information please feel free to contact our Nutritional Therapists using the form above.

The Naturopathic Nutritional Approach to Reducing Allergic Rhinitis and Hay Fever by Erin McCann at Chelsea Natural Health Clinic, Fulham Rd, Sw10.

What is Allergic Rhinitis:

Allergic rhinitis is the inflammatory response by the immune system to particles and substances such as pollen or dust.  This immune reaction is normal in cases of harmful substances like bacteria or viruses. However, in allergic rhinitis, the immune system is over stimulated and not able to modify its reaction to harmless particles like pollen, dust or pet dander.

Symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:

• Congested, runny nose
• Sneezing
• Red, itchy, and watery eyes
• Itchy mouth, throat, ears, and face
• Cough
• Headaches, with pain or pressure
• Fatigue

There are two types of allergic rhinitis.  The first one is perennial (year round) which is caused by indoor allergens such as dust, pet dander and mold.  The second type of allergic rhinitis is seasonal, also called hay fever, and is attributed to outdoor allergens such as pollens and spores.  Allergic rhinitis is extremely common and occurs in 1 in 5 people.

Naturopathic Nutritional Therapies for Allergic Rhinitis Symptoms:

Reduce exposure to allergens.

The first line of defense against allergic rhinitis is to reduce exposure to allergens.

Suggestions to reduce environmental exposure are as follows:

For perennial allergic rhinitis:

• Remove carpet and install tile or hardwood floors.
• Cover pillows and beds with allergen-proof covers.
• Wash bedding in hot water once a week.
• Use an air purifier/filter to remove dust and pet dander or a dehumidifier to clear mould.

For seasonal allergic rhinitis/ hay fever

• Close windows.
• Do not hang laundry outside to dry.
• Use an air purifier/filter.

To reduce inhalation of allergens:

• Apply bees wax balm around the nose to inhibit particles from entering the nose.

Support your immune system

By supporting your immune system to regulate the histamine response to harmless elements, you may reduce allergic rhinitis symptoms.

• Reduce inflammatory foods such as dairy, sugar and processed foods.  By reducing these foods, you may reduce hay fever and rhinitis symptoms.

• Eat quercetin containing foods.

Quercetin, a plant flavanoid, has been found to inhibit the production and release of histamines.

Foods containing quercetin are apples, red onions, berries, and brassica vegetables which include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, kale, cabbage and green tea.

• Eat foods high in Vitamin C containing foods and include quality supplementation.

o  Vitamin C has an immune supporting action in the body.

o  Foods containing Vitamin C are berries, citrus fruit, red pepper, melon, and brassica vegetables

o  Supplementation of 2,000mg/day has been found to be beneficial in combating allergic rhinitis/hay fever.

• Use herbs that support and modulate the immune system.

o  Elder flower (Sambucus nigra) has an anti-catarrh and anti-inflammatory action particularly in the upper respiratory tract.

o  Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) may reduce symptoms.

These herbs can be prepared and consumed as tea.

Consult a qualified practitioner before using herbs if taking any medications or if being treated medically for chronic conditions.

By reducing your environmental exposure and by supporting your body to regulate its immune response, you may find relief naturally from your allergic rhinitis/hay fever symptoms.

It may take additional investigation to determine the root cause to the immune system™s over reaction to harmless particles.  Whether it is connected to things such as digestive problems, food intolerances or other underlying issues, the root cause can be explored through Naturopathic Nutritional consultations with Erin McCann.

References

Hoffman, D., 2003. Medical Herbalism, The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.

Kompauer, I.,  Heinrich, J. , Wolfram, G. ,Linseisen, J., 2006.  Association of carotenoids, tocopherols, and vitamin C in plasma with allergic rhinitis and allergic sensitisation in adults.  Public Health Nutrition. [Online] June 9(4), p. 472-479.  Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16870019

Oseiki, H. , 2008. The Physician’s Handbook to Clinical Nutrition, 7^th Edition. Australia: AG Publishing.

Podoshin, L., Gertner, R., Fradis, M., 1991. Treatment of perennial allergic rhinitis with ascorbic acid solution.  Ear, Nose and Throat Journal. [Online] January 70(1), p. 54-55. Available at: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2065622

University of Maryland Medical Center, 2009. Allergic Rhinitis. [Online] Avaliable at: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/allergic-rhinitis-000003.htm

• Naturopathy
• Erin McCann ND Dip CNM mBant
• Rosacea and Naturopathic and Nutritional Therapies by Erin McCann
• The Naturopathic Nutritional Approach to Reducing Allergic Rhinitis and Hay Fever. The Naturopathic Nutritional Approach to Reducing Allergic Rhinitis and Hay Fever.