The Throes of Spring

Where I live, the pollen is in full force and about to get even more intense as all the pine trees eliminate their last haul right before Summer. For those of you who struggle with Spring and the abundance of pollen it represents, this is the blog for you! From stuffy to runny noses, headaches, itchy eyes, sneezing and more, the herbal kingdom is always there to help balance, support and in the case of allergies, strengthen your system through these rough times.There are many herbs that can help with common seasonal allergies but I am going to talk about my top 3.

Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) is rich in minerals, anti inflammatory and supports the urinary system by flushing out toxins. This is a fantastic herb to have on hand if you want to minimize allergy symptoms. It is a natural blood cleanser, rich in chlorophyll and can be used to strengthen the kidneys. You can drink it as a tea, take it as a tincture or capsule and it can be mixed with other herbs.

Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) has been studied because of it's anti inflammatory, antitussive and antihistamine properties. It has been used for centuries for chronic coughs, colds, headaches and many other conditions. This herb does contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) and it is not suggested to be taken raw in either tea, capsules or unprocessed tinctures. When purchasing, make sure it says PA-Free. PA's can cause liver damage, lung damage and circulation issues. I have personally worked with this herb and does work wonders for allergy season.

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) is a planktonic cyanobacteria that has been on earth for more than 3 billion years. Yes you read that right... they have seen it all. They have an extraordinary composition. They contain antioxidants, essential fatty acids, vitamins A, all the B's, E, I and K, plus they are packed with minerals. Their cell walls are not cellulose like most vegetables, but murein, which is a more fragile compound, allowing the body to assimilate it more easily. Some studies have shown spirulina inhibiting the release of histamine, which is what can trigger allergy symptoms. You can take this as a powder, liquid, or capsule.

So if you love Spring but would like to enjoy it from the other side of the glass, you might want to check these out! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

Take good care,

Jody