You might have seasonal allergies if you tend to overstock on tissues and antihistamines at particular times of the year. Natural treatments and supplements can help you manage your symptoms in various ways, from cleaning your nasal passages with salt water to consuming mushrooms for allergies.
Yes, you heard us right: medicinal mushrooms for allergies! Since the immune system's reactivity or hypersensitivity to environmental allergens causes allergies, strengthening the immune system by consuming medicinal mushrooms aids in preventing these reactions or at least makes them less severe and more straightforward to manage.
During allergy season, let’s explore some natural ways to relieve that itchy nose. We will then guide you on mushroom allergy treatment benefits.
Tips On Relieving Allergies Naturally
While seasonal allergies are hard to nip in the bud, several natural remedies can help reduce the severity of your symptoms. Here are some ways to tamp down the sneezing, sniffling, and wheezing without reaching for another antihistamine.
1. Cleanse your nose
Pollens stick to our mucus membranes, causing bouts of sneezing and watery eyes. So, try using a sinus irrigator, neti pot, or nasal oils to clean out your nasal passages. According to a review(1), saline nasal irrigation is helpful for children and adults with allergic rhinitis, also known as hay fever.
2. Use air filters
Using air filters, you can eliminate dust, dander, and pollen particles that can wreak havoc on your allergies. To remove around 99.97% of complex airborne particles, look for a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter.
Another easy step? When pollen counts rise in your neighborhood, shut the windows in your home. Air conditioning can also be helpful as they eliminate moisture from the air and halts the growth of mold and mildew.
3. Clean the house
Cleaning the house regularly can help eliminate numerous allergy triggers and relieve symptoms. Clean or replace your home's air filters frequently. Regularly replace your pillowcase because allergens might daily migrate from your hair to your pillow.
4. Try acupuncture
Acupuncture addresses underlying bodily imbalances. A treatment plan is created to alleviate the immediate effects of allergies while also addressing the underlying issues causing the body to react negatively to allergens.
According to a review(2), acupuncture showed promising outcomes for treating seasonal and chronic allergic rhinitis.
5. Vitamins and supplements
A balanced diet strengthens the immune system response. However, your immune system could likely use a boost, where dietary supplements could be beneficial.
Inflammation brought on by allergic reactions can also be reduced by taking supplements such as:
- Vitamins A.
- Vitamin D.
- Vitamin C.
- Omega 3 fatty acids.
- Medicinal mushrooms.
Role Of Mushrooms For Allergy Relief
Allergies are the immune system’s reaction to threats. The more capable our immune system is in combating allergens, the fewer allergy symptoms we encounter.
A compromised or confused immune system may overreact to allergens or mistakenly identify them, making several unpleasant symptoms even more bothersome.
At the molecular level, mushrooms support a healthy immune response and resilience against aging. We can handle allergies, infections, and other stressors easily thanks to their special capacity to strengthen, regulate, and "reset" our immune system from scratch.
According to studies, some types of mushrooms can reduce allergic reactions in the body as well as their accompanying symptoms. This is because these mushrooms contain two key properties specifically designed to help our bodies' allergic reactions, such as lowering histamine levels and bolstering immune responses.
Best Mushrooms For Allergies
Reishi mushrooms have the power to regulate the immune system since they are immunomodulators(3). Although the science behind the immunomodulating effects of Reishi mushrooms is complicated, it is believed that the presence of certain substances known as Beta-glucans is responsible. These substances help control allergies(4) by modifying the activity of specific immune response-related cells.
The triterpenes in the mushroom also contribute to Reishi's potency as an immunomodulator, so it's not just the beta-glucans responsible. White blood cells, a vital part of the immune system, have been demonstrated to be modulated by a specific class of molecules called terpenes. Recent studies have revealed that Reishi contains 119 distinct triterpenoids, some of which, like lanostan, have anti-inflammatory(5) and anti-histamine properties!
The function of the liver is a less well-known contributor to an allergic response. The liver breaks down histamine, an essential component of the inflammatory response. Therefore, the liver is in charge of controlling histamine levels to aid in the defense against allergens when our bodies are exposed to them. The allergy symptoms we all know and detest are caused by the liver being overloaded with histamine due to our immune system acting a little too "dramatically" and overreacting.
Reishi(6) can support the liver's allergic response mechanism. The mushroom is thought to accomplish this by controlling histamine release, which lessens the symptoms of histamine's inflammatory effects. In addition, Reishi mushrooms are known to help with allergies and liver health in general, which is thought to be caused (at least in part) by the presence of ganoderic acids in Reishi. These acids help the liver stay healthy and work more effectively overall. In addition, high quantities of antioxidants in Reishi mushrooms can further shield liver cells from deterioration. Reishi extract may therefore be regularly consumed to support liver health and lessen some of the negative consequences of allergies.
Furthermore, histamine levels in the blood rise under stress(7). Despite not directly causing allergic reactions, stress is known to exacerbate allergy symptoms.
Adaptogens like Reishi mushrooms aid in minimizing the damaging effects of stress on the body. This is because they improve the body's capacity to withstand stress on a chemical as well as a physical level.
It is also well known that Reishi mushrooms have direct antihistamine effects. According to studies(8), histamine has been inhibited by the mushroom's polysaccharide and triterpenoids.
By now, we know the benefits of Reishi mushroom for allergies. This makes it one of the best medicinal mushrooms for relieving allergy symptoms.
Other recommended medicinal mushrooms for relieving allergy symptoms are:
- Maitake mushroom.
- Lion's mane mushroom.
Maitake mushroom offers excellent liver support. This mushroom is a liver tonic that fortifies and protects liver function. Like Reishi, Maitake mushrooms(9) can also support the immune system and possibly reduce sensitivity to allergens. For someone with seasonal allergies, Maitake mushrooms can assist in maintaining natural equilibrium and balanced stress response in the body.
Since leaky gut syndrome has been related to increased immunological reactivity and allergic reactions, the gut, which is frequently the key to overall health, may also be involved in allergies. Therefore, supporting the microbiome and digestion is crucial, and Lion’s mane(10) has the potential to help the gut lining and enhance function.
FAQs About Mushrooms For Allergies
Are There Any Side Effects Of Taking Mushrooms For Allergies?
Mushrooms for allergies are generally safe when taken in the dosages recommended by your healthcare provider. However, these mushrooms may cause digestive upset or nausea in some people with a sensitive gut.
What Is The Recommended Dosage Of Mushrooms For Allergies?
The daily recommended dose of mushrooms like Reishi is 2000 mg (or 2 grams). Start with this dose and work your way up, depending on how your body responds to it.
Is Reishi Mushroom An Antihistamine?
Studies have shown that Reishi mushrooms inhibit histamine in the body. This makes it an effective antihistamine.
Key Takeaways
While there may not be a cure-all treatment for allergies, research points to the possibility of some relief from medicinal mushrooms, including Reishi, Lion's mane, and Maitake. These mushrooms can at least aid in the relief of some of the symptoms related to allergic reactions because of their anti-inflammatory properties, supportive roles in liver function, and, perhaps most importantly, their potent immunomodulating properties.
Therefore, you should consider trying medicinal mushrooms for allergies. Also, it might make enjoying the outdoors a bit more fun this time of year!
References
- Nasal irrigation as an adjunctive treatment in allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis, (1)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23168142/
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Acupuncture for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis,
(2)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25590322/ - Suppression of inflammatory and allergic responses by pharmacologically potent fungus Ganoderma lucidum, (3)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24948193/
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Antiinflammatory and Immunomodulating Properties of Fungal Metabolites,
(4)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1160565/ - Suppression of the inflammatory response by triterpenes isolated from the mushroom Ganoderma lucidum, (5)https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19651243/
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Chapter 9, Ganoderma lucidum (Lingzhi or Reishi),
(6)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92757/ -
Acute stress modulates the histamine content of mast cells in the gastrointestinal tract through interleukin-1 and corticotropin-releasing factor release in rats,
(7)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2343625/ - Triterpenoids and Polysaccharide Fractions of Ganoderma tsugae Exert Different Effects on Antiallergic Activities, (8)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4417579/
- Immune-enhancing effects of Maitake (Grifola frondosa) and Shiitake (Lentinula edodes) extracts, (9)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4202470/
- Gastroprotective Effects of Lion's Mane Mushroom Hericium erinaceus (Bull.:Fr.) Pers. (Aphyllophoromycetideae) Extract against Ethanol-Induced Ulcer in Rats, (10)https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3835629/
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