10/16/2025
Do you struggle with allergies of any type? The naturopathic doctors here at Head to Heal got your back and are waiting for you to book with them so they can help you out with them pesky symptoms.
Here is some free education:
Allergies suggest an imbalance in immune function - with the immune system hyper-sensitized to foreign invaders (that is an over-abundant Th2 or humoral immune response).
Allergies can have various triggers - you may not even be aware of what is triggering your symptoms. Your body's immune response to food and/or environmental triggers cause mast cells in your body to initiate a whole cascade of inflammatory responses which includes the release of histamine, a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate the immune response. An over-production of histamine causes many of the typical "allergy" symptoms we think of - including constricted airway, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion/sinus pain, watery eyes, itchy eyes/throat/ears/sinuses, postnasal drip/sore throat and cough. Mast cells are mostly stimulated by IgE mediated immune responses, but also by IgG and IgA responses. The IgE responses are immediate and the mast cell binds to these 100x stronger than the others - meaning your body will remember longer and react even quicker the next time you encounter a similar allergen. This means more severe allergies at your next exposure. Stabilizing your mast cells is an important part of reducing hyper-responsive reactions.
If eczema/dermatitis occurred prior to allergy onset, it is worthwhile to investigate for a dietary sensitivity or allergy. If conventional IgE allergy skin prick tests are negative, you may need to investigate food intolerance (come book for a Carroll Food Intolerance evaluation - it is covered as a Naturopathic Service at Head to Heal Wellness).
If your symptoms occur throughout the year and are not only linked to seasonal allergies, it's time to investigate for other causes (especially if you're becoming more sensitive with time) - from gastrointestinal infections to heavy metal toxicity.
Prevention is the Best Remedy
Once the cascade of histamine release is started, it can't be stopped. We can mop up the mess. However, ideally we can work to stabilize mast cells starting 2 months prior to seasonal allergies to prevent future histamine release (this still works to stabilize mast cells that have already released histamine). See below for a list of Mast cell stabilizers and anti-histamine support to prevent the activation of mast cells and release of histamine.
If the histamine is already out, review the list below for ways to raise the enzyme diamine oxidase (DAO) to lower histamine.
Did you know?
Gut health is a key part of allergy management. Mast cell responses and histamine release are part of the normal (and abnormal) function of the digestive system! Histamine impacts motility, promotes stomach acid (needed to digest your food), and production of stomach acid (important to help you break down and absorb nutrients from food) and mast cells in the mucosal layer of your digestive tract can be protective or overly sensitized by inflammation and a leaky gut lining. Histamine may even be a cause of some IBS symptoms.
Also consider investigating digestive issues (food sensitivities) if you have migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, ADHD, cardiovascular disease (atherosclerosis) or difficulty losing weight.
READY FOR A NATUROPATHIC APPROACH TO ALLERGIES
Mast cell stabilizers - in actions/foods/supplements
Prioritize sleep and stress-reducing activity: lack of sleep and stress cause mast cell destabilization - avoid blue light exposure in the evening, get enough hours in bed and use tools like breathing, meditation and exercise for natural stress-reduction
Quercetin (supplement) or foods (from highest to lowest):
Highest (~200mg/100g): capers
High (30-40mg/100g): elderberries*, cooked onion (red more than white, cook daily - can even eat steamed - raw onion may aggravate),
Moderate (15-20mg/100g): cocoa powder, cranberries, green hot peppers,
Some (
