Allergy Naturopath Brisbane
Reacting to the environment is a sign your body is overflowing with histamine – reduce the internal histamine production to improve your tolerance to the environment.
About Allergies
There is nothing I like more than helping people reduce their allergies! Allergies are becoming more apparent, affecting millions of people worldwide, and interestingly more people in ‘developed’ countries.
People who don’t have allergies don’t understand the impact of daily life to those who DO have allergies.. Not just the unpredictable itch, sneeze, post nasal drip, stuffy nose, food and environmental reactions, but the fatigue and mental health changes that come with it.
Many people simply manage symptoms with over-the-counter medications, but this doesn’t address the underlying cause. Naturopathy takes a holistic approach, aiming to calm the internal histamine production driving your allergic responses. By addressing root causes, we can help reduce symptoms and improve your body’s tolerance to environmental triggers!
Causes of Allergies
Allergies often arise from a combination of immune system imbalance, detoxification issues, environmental exposures, and internal triggers. Understanding these factors is key to effective, long-term relief.
Common contributing factors include:
- Immune hypersensitivity fuelled by chronic inflammation – when you have allergies, your immune system is disordered, and there are excess inflammatory mediators in the body that cause histamine symptoms like rashes, hives, sneezing, congestion etc (Maeda et al., 2019).
– From research, we know that the immune system AND inflammation is controlled but the gut. We know that an unhappy gut drives food and environmental allergies, and it can also be a source of histamine, as many microbes in the gut can create histamine as a byproduct. Further, the gut is encased in a ‘barrier’, which can sometimes become ‘leaky’, allowing byproducts like histamine into the blood stream (Poto et al., 2023).
– The histamine ‘bucket’
- I often think of histamine as a kind of “bucket.” What fills this bucket is the histamine produced by microbes in your gut. If your body starts producing too much histamine—and especially if it also struggles to break it down—the bucket is starting to get full…
- Now imagine walking into a dusty bedroom while your histamine bucket is already nearly full. With so much histamine circulating, your system becomes far more sensitive to environmental triggers and even certain foods.
- Stress and cortisol imbalances – Statistics show that stress worsens allergies, and newer research looking into the cross talk between the nervous system & immunity (called ‘neuroimmunology’) have found that the nervous system is an important communicator to the immune system. We now understand that a nervous system that is stressed, or depleted, can increase the amount of pro-inflammatory chemicals via the immune system, which fuels allergic responses (Theoharides 2020).
- Hormonal imbalance, specifically estrogen dominance situations – Estrogen is considered a ‘mast cell’ stimulator, which are cells in the body that secrete histamine. When estrogen is in excess, or perhaps out of balance with other hormones, excess histamine is created. Conditions like endometriosis, fibroids, and peri-menopuase all have an estrogen dominance component and have many cross-over histamine symptoms – such as headaches, migraines, brain fog, pain, rashes etc.
- Nutrient deficiencies – Prolonged deficiencies of proteins, minerals, and vitamins promote inflammation, setting the stage for allergies – the deficiencies discussed in the scientific literature include: vitamin D, iron, various antioxidants, protein, healthy fats, zinc, fibre, and fat soluble vitamins (Vassilopoulou et al., 2024). All can affect inflammation, the breakdown of histamine, and the production of anti-inflammatory/antioxidant mediators.
- Genetic predisposition – having a genetic history of allergies make you more sensitive to ‘epigenetic’ triggers, which include stress, nutrient deficiencies, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet and poor gut health.
Why a Naturopath for Allergies?
Naturopathy focuses on treating the root cause of allergies rather than simply suppressing symptoms.
Step 1 – Initial Consultation
We start with a detailed assessment of your symptoms, diet, lifestyle, environment, and overall health. Understanding your unique triggers allows us to create a targeted plan.
Step 2 – Testing & Investigation
Testing may include gut health analysis, food sensitivity testing, immune function assessments, and nutrient panels. These tests help identify internal imbalances contributing to your allergic reactions.
Step 3 – Individualised Treatment Plan
Treatment may involve dietary and lifestyle modifications, herbal remedies, targeted supplementation, gut microbiome support, and strategies to reduce inflammation and immune overactivity.
Common prescriptions include:
- Low histamine diet if required
- Minimising allergens in the environment – consideration of HEPA filters, plants, vacuuming, cleaning practices, dust mite protectors, PPE, dehumidifers
- Targeted nutritional supplements to restore any deficiencies, as well as specific interventions to break down histamine. I often prescribe nutrients like strain specific probiotics, Glutamine, Quercetin, vitamin A, Vitamin D & Omega-3
– Please note, working with a practitioner gives you access to good quality & therapeutically dosed supplements which is why I always encourage a consultation before trialling various supplements yourself. - Targeted herbal supplements to improve the gut lining integrity to reduce histamine in the body, reduce immune response & increase removal of histamine via the various detox organs. Common herbs that I prescribe include: St Marys Thistle, Schisandra, Baical Skullcap, Rehmannia & Hemidesmus.
Step 4 – Ongoing Support
Regular follow-ups monitor progress, adjust treatment, and help you maintain long-term relief and resilience against environmental triggers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can naturopathy really help my allergies?
Yes. By addressing the root causes, supporting gut health, and reducing inflammation, naturopathy can improve your tolerance to triggers and reduce symptoms.
Do I have to stop all medications?
No. Naturopathic treatment can complement your current medications. Some people are able to reduce medications over time under professional guidance.
Are allergies caused by diet?
Diet can play a major role. Certain foods may increase inflammation or trigger sensitivities, which can worsen allergic responses.
How long does it take to see improvement?
Results vary, but many people notice a reduction in symptoms within weeks, with continued progress over months as underlying imbalances are addressed.
Can children benefit from naturopathic allergy care?
Yes. Naturopathy is safe and effective for children, helping to manage symptoms and support immune system development.
Why Naturopathy?
Accredited & Experienced Practitioner
You’re in safe hands. As a fully accredited naturopath, I follow professional standards and stay up-to-date with the latest research and best practices in natural medicine. Your care is guided by expertise and integrity.
Personalised Treatments From A Practitioner That Truly Cares
We understand that health journeys are personal and sometimes challenging. We take the time to listen, understand your unique situation, and provide compassionate, holistic support tailored specifically to you.
Evidence-Based, Results-Oriented Treatments
Our recommendations are grounded in scientific evidence and clinical experience. We combine the wisdom of natural medicine with modern research to create treatments that are safe, effective, and targeted to your individual needs.
Don’t let allergies control your life. Seek naturopathic support today
CITATIONS:
Poto, R., Fusco, W., Rinninella, E., Cintoni, M., Kaitsas, F., Raoul, P., Caruso, C., Mele, M. C., Varricchi, G., Gasbarrini, A., Cammarota, G., & Ianiro, G. (2024). The role of gut microbiota and leaky gut in the pathogenesis of food allergy. Nutrients, 16(1), 92. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16010092
Vassilopoulou E, Venter C, Roth-Walter F. Malnutrition and Allergies: Tipping the Immune Balance towards Health. J Clin Med. 2024 Aug 11;13(16):4713. doi: 10.3390/jcm13164713. PMID: 39200855; PMCID: PMC11355500.
Theoharides TC. The impact of psychological stress on mast cells. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2020 Oct;125(4):388-392. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2020.07.007. Epub 2020 Jul 17. PMID: 32687989.