The days are finally warmer, and the grass is greener. The trees are leafing out and the flowers are blooming. And you might be miserable. Especially if you’re among the millions that suffer from seasonal allergies.
Can anything be done beyond over-the-counter medications to calm the inflammation and histamine reactions?
Yes! There are many foods that have properties known to help reduce runny nose and calm itchy eyes. By juicing these fruits and vegetables, the beneficial properties are concentrated, making it easier to get a therapeutic dose from whole foods.
Here are the fresh allergy-fighting juices to focus on.
Vitamin C Rich Juices
Vitamin C is anti-inflammatory and has been proven to reduce allergy symptoms. It prevents the secretion of histamine by white blood cells and increases its detoxification.
When we talk about vitamin C, orange juice most often comes to mind. But there are many foods much higher in vitamin C than oranges. Here are some of the top vegetables and fruits, ranked highest to lowest in vitamin C content.
Yellow Bell Pepper Juice – Green bell peppers are immature. Yellow bell peppers are the highest in vitamin C.
Jalapeno Juice – Also contains capsaicin which reduces inflammation. Remove the seeds and membranes, and start with ¼ – ½ a pepper.
Parsley Juice – Parsley is a potent herb. Add it to juice blends in amounts that would normally be eaten.
Mustard Greens Juice – Start with one small leaf, as its flavor is quite strong. Best combined with less intense leafy greens, like spinach and romaine.
Kale Juice – Kale is one of the world’s best sources of vitamin C, containing 4x the amount found in spinach. A ¼ cup of kale juice provides over 84 milligrams of vitamin C.
Kiwi Juice – This sweet and tangy fruit is full of vitamin C, K and E, and potassium.
Broccoli Juice – A 2” broccoli stem is a good amount in a juice.
Watercress Juice – This tender green is one of the most nutrient dense foods on the planet. Full of vitamins and minerals, it offers a host of health benefits.
Lemon Juice – An excellent source of vitamin C, which not only helps you fight inflammation, but also helps your fresh juice last longer when stored.
Papaya Juice – Firm fruit, peel and seeds removed, works best in a vertical slow juicer.
Orange Juice – Remove the outer orange peel, leaving as much of the white pith as possible.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Tasty Green Juice Recipes
Bromelain for Allergies
The enzyme bromelain found in pineapples reduces swelling, especially of the nose and sinuses, (and after surgery or injury.) Most of the bromelain is found in the stem or core. Since most people don’t eat the core, juicing pineapple with its stem is the best way to consume bromelain from whole food.
NOTE: If you are allergic to pineapple, latex, wheat, celery, papain, carrot, fennel, cypress pollen, or grass pollen, you might have an allergic reaction to bromelain.
The effectiveness of bromelain is enhanced when combined with quercetin.
Quercetin Rich Juices
Quercetin is a flavonoid polyphenol found in many dark leafy greens, berries and broccoli. It is anti-inflammatory and a natural antihistamine. Quercetin blocks mast cells – immune cells that trigger allergic reactions.
Radish Leaf Juice – Radish leaves are edible and very nutritious. If you can find radishes with fresh, green leaves, rinse them well and add them to your juice blend.
Arugula Juice – Arugula is spicy, so it is best combined with something sweet. I usually skip the ginger or jalapeno when juicing arugula.
Cilantro Juice – This potent, heavy metal detoxifying herb is also rich in quercetin. Juice in amounts that you would normally eat.
Banana Pepper Juice – Fresh, not pickled.
Red Leaf Lettuce Juice – Mild and nutritious, buy large heavy heads of lettuce to get the most yield.
Watercress Juice – Here it is again!
Kale Juice – Yep, high in vitamin C and quercetin!
Apple Juice – Quercetin is in the peel.
Ginger Juice for Allergies
Ginger is also a well-known anti-inflammatory food. It helps loosen and break up mucus too. Many people swear by daily ginger shots for reducing their allergy symptoms.
Juice Recipes for Seasonal Allergies
By combining juices that are known to be anti-inflammatory and antihistamine, you get a potent remedy for allergies. Juicing for allergies works best when consumed daily. Here are some juice combinations to help you get started.
Ginger Shots – Juice 1-2” of ginger with some pineapple or apple
Pineapple – Yellow Bell Pepper – Kale – Ginger – Lemon
Cucumber – Arugula – Parsley – Apple – Lemon
Cucumber – Celery – Red Leaf Lettuce – Apple – Jalapeno – Lemon
Romaine – Celery – Watercress – Cilantro – Apple – Lemon
Cucumber – Orange – Mustard Greens – Lemon
Pineapple – Kiwi – Kale – Ginger
Pineapple – Papaya – Ginger – Lemon
FREE DOWNLOAD: Tasty Green Juice Recipes
The possible combinations are nearly endless. Experiment and have fun! Rotate your greens and use just enough fruit to make your juice taste good. You’ll be feeling better soon!
Have you reduced your allergy symptoms with fresh juice? Share your experience in the comments below.
Source: http://www.altmedrev.com/archive/publications/5/5/448.pdf