How I Tamed My Seasonal Allergies by Supporting My Adrenal Glands

For the past 15 years or so, I’ve been dealing with spring allergies in March and April. During the first couple of years, I thought I had a cold. But when I realized I went to the doctor over the same week in April with a cough and chest tightness, I realized it must be a reaction to pollen.

As the years went by, I would try various over the counter medicines with varying degrees of success in countering the congestion that would sneak up on me. I would be miserable for about 6 weeks, waking up tired and often cranky and irritable as the day wore on.

More recently I turned to “natural” products to alleviate my symptoms. I tried adding quercetin in my smoothies and flushed out my sinuses with salt water using a neti pot. These measures brought some relief but I was getting very tired of the routine and still feeling cruddy. I recall last April I was really feeling tired, wishing I had just left the area for a month to escape the offending particles.

As I drove to my blogging class with my friend last spring, she noticed how I was suffering and reminded me how important it is to make sure my adrenal glands are in good shape. At the time, I did take some herbs to support my adrenals but had not been very diligent about it.

Then as winter of 2014 arrived, I started thinking about how spring was around the corner and how I was dreading my birthday month (April) because that meant I would be tired and cranky for weeks. So I decided I would do two things: see an allergist about finding out what I was reacting to so I could pursue desensitization shots, and start taking herbs to support my adrenals at least three months before April.

In mid March, I visited an allergist. He tested me for many pollens and I did not react to any of them! I was a little disappointed. He said I was either allergic to something really unusual that he does not test for, or I have something called non-allergenic rhinitis, which was somehow related to my nervous system. I left the office thinking that I was going to have to continue the same old routine, using the neti pot and the herbal pills with quercetin and nettles.

Happily,  something different happened this year. As the season progressed into late March, then mid April and past the dreaded April 20th mark, I noticed that I felt better than I had in 15 years. All that I was doing for allergies was taking my adrenal support herbs every day for several weeks as planned.

The supplement I’ve been taking is Adrenal Support Complete Care, by Innate Response. It contains Vitamin C, Pantothenate, Magnesium, Sensoril Ashwaganda (a special patented form of Ashwaganda), L-Serine, Rhodiola Extract, Holy Basil Leaf, Cordyceps Mushroom, Reishi Mushroom, Astragulus Root, Shisandra Berry.

There’s one other herb, hibiscus, that could play a part in this. I’ve drunk it as a tea twice a day for about six months. I have not heard that it helps allergies, but it is always possible it lowered inflammation in my body which in turn reduced my body’s response to pollen.

I’m relieved I’m feeling better this spring. I hope this information is helpful to you or someone else you know.

Foods and Supplements That May Reduce Your Blood Pressure

If you have high blood pressure you are not alone! Many people develop it as they reach middle age. Eating lots of vegetables and fruits along with exercise, keeping insulin levels low and reducing stress can help keep it controlled. In addition, certain plant foods supply minerals like potassium and some unique substances that may help your body maintain a healthier blood pressure. Be sure to monitor your blood pressure when taking any supplements and consult with your doctor. Note that some extracts mentioned below act in a similar fashion to common blood pressure medications.

• Celery contains the chemical 3-n-butyl phthalide that seems to help lower the resistance in blood vessels. It one study 150 mg of celery extract appeared to reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure by about 8 points each after three weeks. Natural Factors makes an extract capsule that has 75 mg of 3nb. Start with 1 tablet, twice per day. You can also eat about four ounces celery (equal to a cup chopped) daily.
• Hibiscus tea taken three times per day can lower blood pressure about 7 points within 3 weeks. It acts as an ACE inhibitor. Tazo Passion Tea, served at Starbucks iced, contains hibiscus and so does Celestial Seasonings Black Cherry Berry tea.  Black Cherry Berry tea and added hibiscus flowers also make a very refreshing iced tea in the summer. If you prefer capsules to tea, take 1000 mg capsules (2-3 times per day).

Tazo Passion Tea with Hibiscus

• Reishi Mushrooms contain triterpenes that lower blood pressure. A double-blind trial reported that reishi mushrooms significantly lowered blood pressure by the end of the four week study. A concentrated extract of reishi (25:1) in the amount of 55 mg three times per day was taken over the four weeks.
• Garlic tablets that are standardized, like those made by Kwai, may help lower blood pressure by five to ten percent within 12 weeks. Dose is 10,000 mcg allicin per day.
• Cocoa or Dark Chocolate with high polyphenol content may reduce systolic blood pressure by up to 5 points when ingested regularly. This is comparable to the effects of 30 minutes of daily minutes of exercise. 
• Fruits like watermelon and kiwis contain lutein that help lower blood pressure
• Potassium in such foods as peas, bananas, potatoes, tomatoes, kidney beans, melons and raisins can help your body control blood pressure. Potassium is very important for overall health. Each 1000 mg per day of dietary potassium reduces all cause mortality by about 20 percent.  A daily intake of 4700 mg of potassium from plant foods is suggested. The DASH diet recommends 8 to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
• Pomegranate juice concentrate may lower the systolic (top) number by having a similar effect as ACE inhibitors, a commonly prescribed medication.  Some studies have shown that drinking 50-200 mL (about 1/2 to one cup) of pomegranate juice daily for up to one year can lower systolic blood pressure (the top number) by 5% to 21%.
• Beet root juice or extract lowers blood pressure and increases cerebral, coronary and peripheral blood flow.  Take 4 ounces of juice one to two times per day or at least 500 mg of extract per day.
• Hawthorn reduces BP, is an antioxidant, vasodilator and may reduce blood clotting. Try 1,200 mg of hawthorn extract that contains 2.2 percent flavonoids per day. It may take several weeks before blood pressure lowering effects occur.
• Vitamin C at 500 mg per day over six weeks, for those with low vitamin C levels,  may reduce systolic readings by about 4 mmHg and diastolic by 2.1
• Olive Leaf acts as a calcium channel blocker and improves insulin sensitivity. Take a 500 mg capsule twice per day.
• Magnesium enhances BP medication effectiveness and most Americans don’t get enough. Take 400-600 mg per day of a chelated supplement as long as renal function is good.
• Vitamin D, plus K2 work to incorporate calcium into bone and inhibit artery calcification to reduce cardiovascular deaths. Your skin makes Vitamin D during sun exposure in the summer months. Gut bacteria make Vit K and is in fermented food and grass fed meat. Some vitamin D supplements contain it as well.
• Melatonin lowers cortisol and is a vasodilator. If you suspect your levels are low, you may want to take 3-5 mg each evening at bed time.