The trees are in bloom, the days are longer, temperatures are rising, and this can only mean one thing, ALLERGY SEASON. Yes, with the lightness, bounty and joy that is spring also comes a darker side in the form of runny nose, watery and itchy eyes, and a massive increase in the use of allergy medications. You will be happy to know that there are many alternatives to medicated nasal sprays and pills. Let’s first examine why so many people suffer from seasonal allergies.

It seems that most people just accept seasonal allergies as a part of life that they can’t really change. They often can identify the allergens, but seldom ask or get told what the underlying cause is. The answer is total load; this is when your body hits a saturation point due to toxins. The liver becomes overburdened and then the other detoxification organs (lungs and skin) pick up the slack. At this point allergies and skin rashes are common. So even if you suspect that you are allergic to pets or pollen, you may want to examine your diet, because this is where allergies usually begin.

Most people eat foods that they are allergic to every day. This causes the immune system and liver to be called into action. Repeating this process over and over makes it easy for the body to hit its “total load”. Avoiding processed foods is one major way to reduce total load, as these denatured foods contain many chemical additives that are difficult for the liver to process. Another way is to look at your consumption of common allergenic foods such as gluten, dairy, corn, sugar, and soy. If you eat any of these foods often, then eliminate them and see if your symptoms improve.

Unfiltered tap water, plastic, household chemicals, perfume, cosmetics, lotions, furniture, and even that “new car smell” could be adding to your body’s toxic burden. Limiting exposure to toxins in your environment can provide tremendous relief to your liver and immune system. Look for all-natural, non-toxic alternatives.

To relieve existing allergies, try a vitamin/mineral/antioxidant/herbal allergy support blend, a neti pot, or a natural nasal wash. Nettles, mullein, ginger, and licorice are beneficial for the lungs, liver, and immune system. Try brewing a tea or taking a tincture. Neti pots use sea salt and water to clear congestion and can provide quick relief. Look for nasal washes that contain saline, xylitol, and herbs.

Increase seasonal fresh fruits and (especially) vegetables. Both are high in antioxidants and flavanoids. Antioxidants fight free radical damage generated by toxins, and fiber ensures proper elimination of toxins. Flavanoids are plant pigments that have a wide variety of benefits. Onions, apples, citrus peel, grapes, buckwheat and broad beans are high in the flavanoid quercetin, which is an antioxidant and natural antihistamine. Garlic contains allicin, which has powerful decongestant and antimicrobial properties. Eating these foods is a simple and effective way to make spring more pleasant for allergy sufferers.

Try this simple and delicious seasonally inspired soup. It’s an easy way to incorporate the foods that I’ve suggested, and is healthy and tasty even for those who don’t have allergies.

happy Spring Soup

1 bunch asparagus, bottom snapped off

1 bunch purple and orange carrots, cut lengthwise

1 bunch spring greens, chopped

2 turnips, sliced

1 onion, sliced

2 cloves garlic, diced

2 stalks spring garlic, cut lengthwise

2 tsp black peppercorn, to taste

2 tbsp Miso paste, stirred into 1/3 cup of water

Optional: cayenne pepper, fresh cilantro or parsley

directions: Place veggies in a pot with garlic, onion, and peppercorns. Cover veggies with boiling water and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Turn off heat, let stand a few minutes, and then add miso paste.

enjoy!

To learn more about how to reduce toxic burden in your life, join me on Sunday, April 18^th in San Francisco for the next Detox4Life workshop. Go to detox4life.net for more information. Also, check out my blog at nutritionevolution.net

spring cleanse goodies

Many people turn to popular programs such as the Master Cleanse for their detoxification needs. This is a fast and is not a good idea for everyone, especially those who have blood sugar imbalances. If you are hypoglycemic (even borderline) or diabetic, then ingesting only simple sugars for many days can be dangerous. Another concern is for those with heavy metal toxicity (having mercury fillings increases this likelihood). Liquid fasts stir up the toxins quickly, so if someone is already highly toxic then they could become very ill. Some level of discomfort such as headaches, flu-like symptoms, and light-headedness are typical while fasting. If these symptoms persist for several days, or you feel very dizzy or confused, it is a good idea to pull back on the fast, and eat!

There are gentle yet effective ways to do your inner spring cleaning. An ideal detox program will consist of organic whole foods, herbs, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals. There are many 1-4 week cleanse kits available at your local health food store. Some are very healing, while others are too harsh. You can also put your own cleanse together. Look for a product with liver, kidney, gall bladder, and blood purifying herbs such as milk thistle, dandelion, burdock, black radish, licorice root, yellow dock, turmeric, and parsley leaf. The amino acids methionine and N-acetyl cysteine, along with the antioxidant alpha lipoic acid, support the liver detoxification process. Fiber plays a crucial role while cleansing because it binds to the toxins and ensures their removal from the body. Look for a powder with a blend of soluble and insoluble fiber. Here are two excellent products: Gaia Herbs’ Rejuve Powder and Clary Sage Organics’ Fig Fruit Fiber.

What about the diet? Eliminating toxins can also remove beneficial nutrients. Therefore, it is important to eat food that is packed with nourishment for the body so that it does not become depleted. Stick to organic veggies, fruit, chicken, lamb, soaked beans, nuts, seeds, yogurt, and gluten-free whole grains (quinoa, brown/red/black rice, millet, and buckwheat). Due to high levels of mercury, limit fish consumption while on a cleanse. Herbal teas and potassium broth (recipe below) are packed with nourishing compounds. Fresh vegetable juice and green super-food powders with spirulina, chlorella, antioxidants, and herbs, are cleansing and energizing.

Ingredients to eliminate: sugar, gluten (wheat, barley, rye, spelt, and kamut), caffeine, alcohol, deep fried anything, and processed foods. These refined foods usually contain preservatives and additives for flavor and shelf life extension and have been stripped of nutrients such as fiber and minerals.

Once your cleanse is finished, don’t reintroduce the toxic foods and substances that caused the bloating, weight gain, and fatigue that made you want to detox in the first place. Maintain your newfound spring lightness through all the coming seasons!

Potassium Broth

8 carrots, scrubbed with skins on

6 celery stalks

1 bunch fresh parsley

1 bunch broccoli

2 medium onions

6-8 red or purple potatoes, skins on

1 head cabbage

Put all ingredients in soup pot, cover with filtered water. Simmer covered for 30 minutes. Let cool, and then strain solids. Add 1 teaspoon of miso to each serving. Store in glass jar in fridge. Drink one cup a day while cleansing.

Happy cleansing!