I grew up with severe seasonal allergies to the point of being on multiple medications to try to stop the incessant sneezing, post-nasal drip, and cough. Every year I would dread spring time because of what it meant for me personally - lot's of medications and feeling quite drowsy all the time. 

When I discovered the world of herbalism, it impacted my life in many different ways. From helping me manage my autoimmune diseases holistically to better understanding how my body worked biologically, and helping my body cope with seasonal allergies. Never in a million years did I think that I would be able to get through the spring season without my medications, but herbs have helped me through it for years now. 

If you're interested in learning more about our Allergy Relief Blend AKA the limited tea drop for March, you can read more in this blog post. 

Today, we're talking allergies, but focusing in on the connection to the liver because I believe its one of the main reasons people struggle with seasonal allergies so much. The connection between poor liver health and seasonal allergies lies in the liver's role in detoxification and immune function.

The Liver x Allergy Connection 

1. Detoxification

The liver is responsible for filtering toxins and allergens from the bloodstream. If the liver is overloaded or not functioning optimally due to poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, or other factors, it may struggle to effectively eliminate these substances. As a result, allergens can accumulate in the body, leading to increased sensitivity and allergic reactions.

2. Immune Function

The liver plays a crucial role in regulating the immune response. When the liver is not functioning properly, it may not be able to adequately modulate immune reactions, leading to an exaggerated response to allergens. This can manifest as more severe or frequent allergy symptoms during the allergy season.

Additionally, there is some evidence to suggest that imbalances in gut health, which are closely linked to liver health, may contribute to the development of allergies. The gut and liver are interconnected through the gut-liver axis, and disruptions in gut flora or intestinal permeability (leaky gut) can affect liver function and immune response, potentially exacerbating allergy symptoms.

3. Gut-Liver Axis

There is a close relationship between gut health and liver health, known as the gut-liver axis. Disruptions in gut flora, intestinal permeability (leaky gut), or gut inflammation can affect liver function and immune response, potentially exacerbating allergy symptoms. Supporting gut health through a balanced diet, probiotics, and other gut-supportive measures can indirectly benefit liver health and improve allergy outcomes.

4. Inflammatory Response

Allergic reactions involve an inflammatory response triggered by the immune system's reaction to allergens. The liver helps regulate inflammation by producing proteins involved in the inflammatory process and clearing inflammatory mediators from the bloodstream. By supporting liver health, you can help maintain a balanced inflammatory response, reducing the severity and frequency of allergic reactions.

Improving Liver Health to Improve Your Body's Reaction to Seasonal Allergies

1. Eat a Balanced Diet

Consume a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Avoid or limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and high-fat foods, as they can contribute to liver inflammation and fatty liver disease.

2. Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water throughout the day to support liver function and promote detoxification. We love to level up our water by doing tea infusions, adding electrolytes, tossing in fresh herbs like mint or rosemary, adding lemon, or even swapping regular water for coconut water a few times a week.

3. Utilize Liver Supporting Herbs

We loveeeeee our liver supporting herbs at Symbi! Adding in some herbs every single day can help increase your liver function dramatically. 

The liver support tea includes a variety of traditional organic herbs to help your body naturally detox, cleanse, and flush your liver. This blend is great for those that want to support their body's natural cleansing process.

The liver support tincture is an herbal tincture to support your liver and detoxification pathways. This blend helps support liver phase 1 & 2 detoxification pathways. Aside from supporting the liver, this can also help with hormonal balances, skin health, and even GI health.

4. Limit Alcohol Consumption

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to liver damage and liver disease. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation, or consider abstaining altogether for optimal liver health.

5. Maintain a Healthy Weight

Obesity and excess body fat can increase the risk of fatty liver disease and liver damage. Aim to achieve and maintain a healthy weight through regular exercise and a balanced diet. 

6. Exercise Regularly

Engage in regular physical activity to support overall health and reduce the risk of fatty liver disease. Exercise helps improve insulin sensitivity, promote weight loss, and reduce inflammation, all of which benefit liver health.

7. Avoid Toxins

Minimize exposure to environmental toxins, pollutants, and chemicals that can burden the liver. Use natural cleaning products, avoid smoking, and limit exposure to pesticides and other harmful substances.

Try Our Allergy Relief Tea Blend 

Our newest tea, a specially crafted Allergy Relief Tea Blend, is designed to provide natural relief from seasonal allergies and support overall well-being. You can check it out for the month of March. It is a limited drop, so it will only be available until March 31. The Allergy Relief Tea includes the following herbs: 

1. Turmeric: Known for its anti-inflammatory properties, turmeric helps alleviate allergy symptoms and supports a healthy immune system.

2. Peppermint: With its soothing and cooling effect, peppermint helps relieve nasal congestion and promote clear breathing.

3. Lemongrass: Rich in antioxidants, lemongrass aids in reducing inflammation and boosting immunity, making it an excellent ally against allergies.

4. Nettle: Nettle leaf contains natural antihistamines that help reduce allergic reactions and provide relief from symptoms like sneezing and itching.

5. Ashwagandha: This adaptogenic herb helps the body adapt to stress and supports overall immune function, enhancing the body's resilience against allergens.

6. Marshmallow Root: Known for its soothing properties, marshmallow root helps calm inflamed mucous membranes and ease throat irritation caused by allergies.

This blend not only directly improves your bodies response to seasonal triggers, but it supports liver health as well. If you really need foundational liver support alongside seasonal allergy support, we recommend checking out our liver support tea or liver support+ tincture! 

Please let us know if you have any questions by reaching out to hello@drinksymbi.com! Happy sipping.