4. The power of plants in allergies

We have already seen that supporting barrier defences can be very helpful with any immunity problems. This is certainly the case for allerges. For example pollen and dust particles first have to penetrate the airway mucosal linings before they reach the IgE-expressing cells in the bloodstream and tissues behind. A healthy intact mucosal lining will keep them at bay. Infections, smoke and pollution can directly damage this protection. Producing mucus or catarrh is a defence measure against these that makes the surfaces even more vulnerable to intrusion. In general a diet high in fruit and vegetables will help maintain healthy mucosa. As opera singers will attest eating dairy foods and fats will increase mucus production (these are foods typically avoided for best singing performance!) and may compromise mucosal defences.

There are herbal remedies long used to strengthen mucosal defences in the airways, often used also for catarrhal conditions, runny nose, sinus congestion and middle ear infections. Ribwort plantain, wood betony, ground ivy, eyebright, elderflower, and golden rod have been used in western indigenous traditions. Of these ribwort has a particular reputation in the context of airborne allergy problems. Peppermint and other mints can often help to clear the passages when used alongside these remedies. In some cases taking hot spices like ginger, horseradish and wasabi can both clear passages and rebuild damaged mucosa.

A great option for mucosal health is steam inhalations. Adding chamomile flowers to the steaming water is a great tip unless you find yourself with sensitivity to chamomiles, ragworts, chrysanthemums or other Compositae flowers.

The skin barrier that should protect us from contact eczema and insect bite allergies is unfortunately often penetrated before we are even aware of the problem, either by skin dryness or other breakdown, or by the insect bite itself. However in the former case it may help future allergic response to keep the skin as healthy as possible, with hydrating lotions if necessary for dry skin and increased dietary intake of fish and seed oils. One should be careful with washing too: other than keeping the hands clean, too frequent showering or bathing, or water too hot, can dry out the skin. Harsh soaps are also drying, scented soaps can be irritating, so stick with mild soaps with added oils, gentle cleansers, or shower gels with added moisturizers. Other than face, hair, hands, feet, armpits, and groin, body surfaces rarely need soap at all.

Herbal skin remedies can be applied in the form of creams, ointments or oils (in order of increasing oil content – the choice depending on the initial skin dryness). Favoured ingredients include calendula, chickweed, gotu kola, chamomile, cleavers and comfrey root or leaf (this strictly for external use only).

We have an internal skin-like surface, the epithelial lining of the gullet, designed to protect against pre-digested and sometimes very hot or cold food. Impairment in this barrier is implicated in the classic allergic condition eosinophilic oesophagitis. Slowly swallowing high tannin or mucilaginous remedies to coat the gullet liming, such as meadowsweet, aloe vera, slippery elm, licorice or seaweed gums is certainly worth a try especially if there are heartburn or reflux symptoms.

As we have also seen healthy digestion is the most effective barrier we have. Not only do stomach acid and digestive juices break down allergens, but IgEs are kept in check by other less explosive types of antibodies, IgAs and IgDs, in the upper gut wall. We now know that a healthy microbiome in both the mouth and gut is critical also to managing allergic responses. In herbal and naturopathic practice building digestive strengths is an early priority in managing allergies.

The starting approach to mobilising digestion is with bitters and spices, respectively classified as cooling and heating digestives. As allergies were once thought of as ‘hot’ symptoms it is not surprising that bitter remedies were often in the frontline and they remain particularly appropriate for the management of food allergies. Remedies such as gentian root, wormwood, chicory, barberry and andrographis often featured in traditional treatment plans. We can see that their benefits could include the more effective neutralising of antigenic proteins. The role of warming spices may also include better digestive efficiency though they are now increasingly implicated in supporting a healthy microbiome, with turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and cumin in the frontline. There is a very popular traditional Ayurvedic formulation triphala that has a broad reputation in helping digestive performance across a range of circumstances.

Beyond supporting barrier defences the main traditional medicine approach to allergic problems was constitutional, looking behind the symptoms to pointers of undermining imbalances. This often took account of symptom patterns and typologies and by definition may need some expert professional help to accomplish.

For example in the case of allergic airway problems like hayfever there might be recognisable symptom patterns. These have been linked to the dosha types in Ayurvedic medicine, to suggest how different treatment priorities might follow.

Vata pattern: with wheezing, sneezing, headaches, and dryness of the mouth and throat; sufferers would benefit from a regime of regular sustaining meals with warm, moist, slightly richer, spiced foods, and lots of warm fluid; constitutional treatments might focus on ‘moistening’ herbs like licorice, mullein, marshmallow, and from India gotu kola and shatavari.

Pitta pattern: with eye irritation, burning, inflammation and a sore throat, with the potential for fever and hives; sufferers would benefit from a diet of natural carbohydrates, simple wholesome food rather than anything too rich or stimulating; efforts to take more water are likely to be important to counteract dehydration; constitutional treatments might focus on bitter herbs and cooling tonics

Kapha pattern: with congestion, with runny noses, sinus infections, and itching along with feelings of heaviness; sufferers would benefit from a varied diet with some dry and raw foods, and sour and astringent flavours, and some hotter spices too; sweet, heavy fatty or stodgy food, cold foods and drinks would be better avoided; constitutional treatments might focus on warming spices and tonics.