An overly sensitive immune response to environmental substances causes respiratory allergies. Mast cells burst as the immune system reacts to neutralize irritants, releasing histamine into the respiratory tissues and causing symptoms such as respiratory congestion, sinus discharge, sneezing, watery eyes, itchy eyes, sinus pain and/or pressure, coughing, and/or sore throat.

General detoxification of the body, especially the colon and liver, will desensitize and stabilize the immune reactions in the respiratory membranes as there is a strong connection between the health of the digestive membranes and the respiratory membranes. Yeast infections or SIBO may also be a root cause.

HistaBlock is a formula that counteracts histamine reactions and can help ease allergic reactions. The herbal combination Four is also good at easing allergic reactions. Eyebright is a specific remedy for upper respiratory allergies involving thin, runny mucus with itchy nose and eyes and redness. The herbal formula EW, which contains eyebright, is helpful for this as well.

Remedies that stabilize mast cells will also help counteract allergies. Vitamin C, feverfew and burdock all help with mast cell stabilization. ALJ also has anti-allergic effects as well as helping to expel excess mucus from the respiratory tract. Other expectorant and decongestant formulas that may benefit respiratory allergies are Bronchial Formula and Sinus Support.

Dehydration and Allergies

Dehydrated mucus membranes are also more susceptible to allergic reactions. Pollen, dust, and animal dander are flushed out of the eyes and sinuses by mucus and tears. There isn't enough watery mucus to flush these substances away when you're dehydrated. Cells release histamine in response to the irritation, forcing water to the membranes in an attempt to flush the irritants. Inflammation and swelling of respiratory tissues may also result from irritation. This can result in chronic sinus obstruction and/or asthma.

Unfortunately, most people treat this problem by trying to block the action of histamine with antihistamines, or to reduce the swelling with corticosteroids. Both of these strategies don’t address the dehydration and resulting irritation, and tend to make the problem worse.

A simple remedy for reducing allergic reactions is to drink plenty of water along and take a little natural salt (like NSP’s Sea Salt) with it. The water and salt stimulate production of mucus and tears, which flush irritants away and reduce allergic reactions. If you keep drinking water and take a pinch of salt with each glass, you may notice allergic reactions quickly subsiding.

One can also reduce the inflammation by mixing a tablespoon of Thai-Go with natural lemon aid made with real lemon juice and natural maple syrup. This cools the irritation and helps reduce the swelling, plus adds more water. You can also add some powdered vitamin C to water and add Thai-Go for a similar effect.

Homeopathics can help to desensitize the body to allergens. By taking a highly diluted remedy containing the frequency pattern of the allergy-producing substance, the body becomes desensitized. Where pollen allergy is a problem, taking small amounts of bee pollen may help to desensitize the body to allergens, however locally gathered pollen works best for this purpose.