Supplements: Allergies and Mast Cell Stabilizers

Quercetin: Quercetin is a natural anti-histamine and an anti-inflammatory, making it effective for lowering the effects of seasonal and food allergies plus asthma and skin reactions. Histamines are chemicals that are released when the immune system detects an allergy or sensitivity, and they are what account for uncomfortable symptoms we face whenever the body has an allergic reaction.
Quercetin can help stabilize the release of histamines from immune cells, which results in decreased symptoms like coughs, watery eyes, runny noses, hives, swollen lips and indigestion.
Bromelain: Bromelain helps modulate the entire immune system. It can prevent allergies by addressing the root cause –-a hyperactive, over-sensitive immune system. Additionally, because bromelain is an enzyme that specifically digests proteins, it has been found to help your body digest food and absorb nutrients more efficiently, as well as being extremely effective at healing issues in the gastrointestinal tract.

Stinging Nettle: Stinging nettle’s anti-inflammatory qualities affect a number of key receptors and enzymes in allergic reactions, preventing hay fever symptoms. I take stinging nettle daily to help modulate my over-active immune system and have had great success with a large reduction in hay fever symptoms.

Sodium Cromolyn (Nasal Spray): Cromolyn is a mast cell stabalizer, meaning it prevents mast cells from releasing histamine. With mast cell disease, mast cells inappropriately dump their contents (histamine) into the body. By stabilizing the mast cells, the mast cells are unable to release histamine and thus prevent the formation of histamine-related symptoms. The nasal spray works within 5 minutes. It is the best medicine I have found to help with mast cell issues and to get rid of a chronic stuffy/runny nose and upper respiratory phlegm.

Ketotiferin Fumarate (Eye Drops): Ketotiferin is another mast cell stabilizer. Works in the same fashion as Cromolyn. It is very effective at getting rid of itchy eyes and also helps clear up nasal symptoms as well.