SPRING IS IN THE AIR! So is the wind and pollen!
Tucson and its surrounding areas offer a stunning desert landscape that comes alive in the spring, but with this natural beauty, allergy season emerges. As the weather warms up, pollen from local trees, grasses, and weeds fills the air, triggering uncomfortable symptoms. These symptoms can range from the common sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and congestion, to the more debilitating symptoms, like headaches, fatigue, and even skin rashes. While conventional medicine offers some relief, others seek gentler, more holistic options.
Fortunately, there are several non-pharmaceutical remedies that can provide natural relief. Air purifiers with HEPA filters can significantly reduce indoor allergens, trapping pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. Eating local honey, half to one teaspoon daily, it can also help desensitize you to local pollens. Supporting your gut health with daily probiotics can also play a role in allergy management, as a healthy gut microbiome is linked to a balanced immune system response.
Additionally, herbs and foods can help reduce histamine response and inflammation related to allergies.
Stinging nettles, are a natural antihistamine that can be taken on an as-needed basis to calm your histamine response, offering comfort when you need it most.
Chinese Skullcap, is an herbaceous perennial plant native to China. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Chinese Skullcap has a cooling effect on the body and is traditionally used to treat hot ailments of the body such as inflammation and easing the heat of allergic reactions.
Butterbur, is a type of marsh plant that works like a shield, blocking the release of inflammatory leukotrienes much like the drug ceterizine.
Guduchi or Amrita, strengthens your body's defenses, reducing the misery of hay fever and allergic rhinitis.
Luteolin treatment had an anti-allergic effect including less infiltration of inflammatory cells and decrease in Th2 cytokines in a murine model of allergic asthma and rhinitis.
Perilla seed. Its antiallergy effects stem from compounds like rosmarinic acid and luteolin, which exhibit antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, reducing allergic symptoms and inflammation.
Don’t forget these everyday allies!
Bromelain, found in papayas and pineapples, and Quercetin, which can be found in broccoli, citrus fruits, green tea, onions, and apples help to stabilize mast cells and reduce histamine release.
These natural solutions offer a path to reclaiming your health and well-being, allowing you to breathe freely.
EYES NEED RELIEF? Consider Oculoheel homeopathic eye drops for red, itchy, watery eyes. Put 2-3 drops in each eye 3-4x/day for a few days and the dry itchy response will lessen greatly for a few weeks! Also Dr Tecaya’s favorite for dry eye or eye strain from computer work!
HistaminX, HistaEze, & HistaQuel, which combine multiple natural ingredients to address histamine levels in the body, potentially reducing allergic reactions are available at our office. They all contain different combination of ingredients and often one works great for most people.
Researched Nutritionals, HistaQuel is a very unique supplement designed to support histamine response within the body by combining a blend of nutrients and botanical extracts like, quercetin with high bioavailability and absorption. Additionally, HistaQuel contains fisetin, luteolin, and perilla frutescens that moderate mast cell interactions and support healthy cytokine release. The inclusion of stinging nettle leaf and black cumin extract further supports a healthy immune system and helps manage the body's response to allergens by inhibiting histamine binding to prevent histamine’s ability to trigger allergic reactions.
Seeking Health, HistaminX, is a targeted formula to support histamine levels, reduce inflammation, and balance immune response. This formula combines a blend of natural ingredients, including stinging nettles, quercetin, luteolin, rutin, bromelain, and glucoraphanin. HistaminX can be used as a daily supplement to help alleviate allergy symptoms, promote respiratory health, and maintain overall well-being.
Designs for Health, HistaEze, is a dietary supplement formulated to provide support for individuals experiencing histamine intolerance or sensitivities. This crafted blend combines nutrients and botanicals known to stabilize mast cells, promote histamine metabolism, and support immune system balance. Key ingredients in HistaEze include; quercetin, a flavonoid that has mast cell stabilizing properties, vitamin C, essential for immune function and histamine breakdown, nettle leaf extract, used to reduce allergic reactions and inflammation, bromelain, luteolin & bicarbonate salts to better support histamine metabolism and immune function.
Other popular approaches to alleviate allergy symptoms like nasal irrigation by using a neti pot or saline irrigator to wash away pollen and irritants trapped in the nasal passages. XLear nasal spray, utilizing xylitol, can effectively clear nasal passages, reduce congestion and inflammation, and inhibit bacterial adhesion, offering relief from nasal allergies.
Some individuals respond fantastically to Histamin-Injeel, an injectable homeopathic remedy, to modulate the body's response to histamine. It is suggested for all symptoms for which the excessive action of histamine is seen, such as bronchial asthma, rhinitis, allergic skin diseases; further, gastritis due to histamine, & allergic headache. Many of our patients come once or twice monthly starting in March to subdue their allergic response.
Additional practices like acupuncture and the use of essential oils, such as peppermint, frankincense, eucalyptus, lemon, lavender, tea tree, and chamomile, are reported to offer some relief from inflammation and allergy symptoms. Maintaining a regular exercise schedule may also contribute to reducing allergy symptoms.
Remember before incorporating any new herb, remedy, or wellness practice, consult with a qualified healthcare professional as individual reactions to treatments can vary. Certain herbs may interact negatively with pharmaceutical drugs or be unsuitable for specific health conditions. For personalized guidance in managing your allergy symptoms and creating a tailored plan, schedule an appointment to speak with Dr. Kam Tecaya for an individualized plan of action to relieve your allergy symptoms.
Click on the following link to access Dr. Kam's fullscript to order the HistaminX, HistaEze: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/ktecaya
Click on the following link to access Research Nutritionals to order HistaQuel:
Sources
Ambardekar, N. 2022. HEPA Filters for Allergies. WebMD, URL:// https://www.webmd.com/allergies/hepa-filters-for-allergies
“Chinese Skullcap”. 2025. Plant Information. Mountain Herb Estate. URL:// https://www.herbgarden.co.za/mountainherb/herbinfo.php?id=395
Schapowal, A. 2002. Petasites Study Group. Randomised controlled trial of butterbur and cetirizine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis. URL:// https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC64514/
Anti-allergic effect of luteolin in mice with allergic asthma and rhinitis
“Guduchi”. 2024. Examine. URL://https://examine.com/supplements/guduchi/research/?srsltid=AfmBOoopvEYalEPPUqeEgZGjdCzYzBCBYuTnqVEy28hDy78ivYbY4Qi-
Histamin-Injeel, Oculoheel. N.D. URL:// https://www.unitedremedies.com
HistaminX. N.D. Seeking Health. URL:// https://www.seekinghealth.com/products/histaminx
HistaEze. N.D. Designs for Health. URL:// https://www.designsforhealth.com/products/histaeze/#HIS120
HistaQuel. N.D. Researched Nutritionals Solutions for Life. URL:// https://www.researchednutritionals.com/product/histaquel-comprehensive-mast-cell-support-supplement/
Xlear. 2025. Xlear Sinus Care. URL:// https://xlear.com/product/xylitol-and-saline-nasal-spray-1-5-fl-oz-metered-dose/
Leonard, J. 2023. What are the best essential oils for allergies? Medical News Today. URL:// https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320225
National University of Health Sciences. 2024. Acupuncture & Herbal Medicine Tips That Will Help You Survive Allergy Season. News Center, NUHS Blog. URL:// https://www.nuhs.edu/acupuncture-herbal-medicine-tips-that-will-help-you-survive-allergy-season/
Written by Catherine Elam and Dr Kam Tecaya.
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