I’ve heard people say that if you think you don’t have allergies, live in the Sacramento Valley for a year or two, and you will. It goes by the name “allergic rhinitis” but has a few aliases including pollenosis and hay fever. No matter what you call it, the symptoms are miserable: itchy, watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, coughing, tickly throat and ears and of course the ever present post-nasal drip. Gross.

In general, allergies materialize when your body’s immune system reacts to something foreign such as pollen, mold spores, pet dander, bee venom or something you ingest. Your immune system works by producing antibodies and if you have an allergy to one or more particular thing, your immune system makes antibodies that view those things as harmful and signals the release of histamines. Histamines are what cause many of the common allergy symptoms from sinus and skin issues to digestive issues. These reactions can range from very annoying to truly life threatening.

There are many approaches to treating allergies and often include medication or allergy shots. If your allergies are not life-threatening perhaps you’d like to try out some natural methods before resorting to medication. Avoidance is the best method to keep sinus allergies at bay but unfortunately, that’s not always feasible. If you’re allergic to a particular food or develop a topical reaction to chemical, you may be able to avoid them most of the time but when nasty teeny-tiny Death Star shaped things (pollen) are covertly floating around in the alluring springtime air; it’s real hard to avoid inhaling them.

Experts suggest staying indoors with the windows closed and using a HEPA (high efficiency particulate air) filter for your house and vacuum to strain out the tiniest of allergens. And, stay indoors during peak pollen times, typically between 5:00 to 10:00 am and during the warmest part of the day to avoid some of the outdoor pollen barrage. Another simple thing you can do to help keep allergens out of your house is remove your coats and shoes before entering your home, and shower and wash your hair before bed to rinse off pollen that’s collected on you. Don’t forget to frequently bathe your pets as they can also track pollen inside your home and deposit it on your rugs, furniture, pillows and bed. Dusting and vacuuming often also help to control allergy and asthma triggers as dust mites, mold spores and pet dander can collect in household dust piles. Saline nasal rinses, which I can not make myself do even though I know they help, also cleanse and empty sinus cavities and nasal passages, however it’s extremely important to use only sterile or distilled water to avoid infection. We know that histamines are chemicals that cause allergic reactions and being hydrated aids in keeping your body from producing more of them. You can also sneak in foods that have a high water content like cucumbers, berries and soups to give your hydration routine a little boost. Eating spicy things helps to thin mucus and clear congestion. Another thing to try is eating local honey but only if you’re not allergic to bee venom and never give honey to a child less than a year old. The theory is that eating locally produced honey over time will lower the allergic reaction to the pollen that your body is reacting to. Bonus feature - honey also soothes irritated throats. Eating honey I can get behind, this sounds way better than a nasal rinse.



If you’d like to try adding some supplements to your daily diet, some that have been shown to provide some allergy relief include probiotics which may help improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis, and getting at least 2,000 milligrams of Vitamin C has shown to reduce histamine levels and lessen inflammation. Bromelain is an enzyme naturally found in papaya and pineapple that has positive effects on breathing and reduces swelling. Quercetin is an antioxidant and helps regulate histamine production and release. It can be taken in supplement form and foods rich in Quercetin include apples, honey, raspberries, red grapes, cherries, citrus fruits, onion and leafy greens. Butterbur has been shown to work as well as some allergy medications but can also be hard on the liver. Please keep in mind that supplements can have conflicting effects with medication and it is always best to check with your doctor before trying anything. And please do know that no natural remedy will help in the case of anaphylaxis or other allergy induced emergency. 

-Kristie Ehrhardt (kehrhardt@tuleyome.org)

Tuleyome Land Conservation Program Manager