In TH2-mediated allergies, the immune system overreacts to innocuous substances, such as pollen, pet dander, or certain foods. While pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and certain foods are common allergens that can induce allergic reactions in susceptible individuals, exposure to environmental toxins and pollutants can also contribute to allergic sensitization and exacerbation of symptoms.

Environmental toxins such as air pollutants, industrial chemicals, pesticides, heavy metals, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been associated with an increased risk of allergies and asthma. These substances can irritate the respiratory tract, disrupt the immune system, and promote inflammation, making individuals more susceptible to allergic responses.

For example, air pollutants like ozone, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter have been linked to respiratory allergies and asthma exacerbations. Exposure to indoor pollutants such as mold, tobacco smoke, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from household products, and formaldehyde from building materials can also trigger allergic reactions and worsen symptoms in allergic individuals.​

Furthermore, certain environmental toxins have been shown to disrupt the normal functioning of the immune system, leading to dysregulation of immune responses and increased susceptibility to allergies. For instance, exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) like bisphenol A (BPA) and phthalates during critical periods of development has been implicated in the development of allergic diseases later in life.

This exaggerated response involves the activation of TH2 cells and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5), and interleukin-13 (IL-13).

Upon exposure to an allergen, antigen-presenting cells (APCs) process and present the allergen to TH2 cells, initiating an immune cascade. TH2 cells then stimulate B cells to produce allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies, which bind to mast cells and basophils, priming them for future encounters with the allergen.
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Subsequent exposure to the allergen triggers the cross-linking of IgE antibodies on mast cells and basophils, leading to the release of inflammatory mediators, such as histamine, leukotrienes, and cytokines. This cascade of events culminates in the classic symptoms of allergies, including itching, sneezing, nasal congestion, and inflammation.

1. Initiation: When an individual comes into contact with an allergen, such as pollen, dust mites, certain foods, or a sea of environmental toxins, antigen-presenting cells (APCs) process and present the allergen to TH2 cells.
2. TH2 Activation: The allergen presentation stimulates TH2 cells to become activated and produce specific cytokines, such as interleukin-4 (IL-4), interleukin-5 (IL-5), and interleukin-13 (IL-13).
3. B Cell Stimulation: The activated TH2 cells stimulate B cells to produce allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies.
4. IgE Binding: These IgE antibodies bind to mast cells and basophils, priming them for subsequent encounters with the allergen.

​Upon re-exposure to the allergen, cross-linking of IgE antibodies on mast cells and basophils triggers the release of inflammatory mediators, such as histamine, leukotrienes, and cytokines. This cascade of events leads to the classic symptoms of allergy, including itching, sneezing, nasal congestion, and inflammation.

The TH1 response is involved in combating intracellular pathogens, such as viruses and certain bacteria. It is characterized by the activation of T-helper 1 (TH1) cells and the production of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and other cytokines that promote cellular immunity.

In a healthy immune system, there is a delicate balance between TH1 and TH2 responses. Imbalances, such as excessive TH2 activity or insufficient TH1 activity, can lead to immune dysfunction and increased susceptibility to infections, autoimmune diseases, or allergies.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in maintaining immune balance by suppressing excessive immune responses, including both TH1 and TH2 responses. Dysfunction of Tregs can contribute to immune-related disorders.

In addition to TH1 and TH2 responses, the immune system employs various other mechanisms to combat pathogens and maintain homeostasis, including innate immunity, antibody-mediated immunity, and cell-mediated immunity.
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Understanding the interplay between different immune responses, including the TH2 allergic response and the TH1 response, is crucial for comprehending immune-related disorders and developing targeted therapeutic interventions. Balancing immune function and modulating specific immune pathways can help mitigate allergic reactions and restore immune equilibrium.

TH2 allergies are a common debilitation of quality of life for many individuals. While conventional over-the-counter pharmaceutical drugs are often used to manage symptoms, they frequently mask the underlying issue without addressing the root cause and can come with undesirable side effects. For example, Benadryl has been observed to result in birth defects and infant mortality.

Common Pharmaceutical Drugs for Allergies:

• Antihistamines (e.g., loratadine, cetirizine, diphenhydramine)
• Decongestants (e.g., pseudoephedrine, phenylephrine)
• Corticosteroids (e.g., fluticasone, prednisone)
• Mast cell stabilizers (e.g., cromolyn sodium)
  
• Leukotriene modifiers (e.g., montelukast) 

​​Common Unintended Side Effects:

• Drowsiness or fatigue
• Dry mouth or dry eyes
• Headache
• Nausea or gastrointestinal discomfort
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Increased heart rate or palpitations
• Nasal irritation or burning
• Increased risk of infections
• Mood changes or behavioral disturbances
• Elevated liver enzymes

For those seeking alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs, a stack of naturally occurring compounds designed to supplant their use has emerged. This stack includes:

​1. Whole Food Vitamin C: Known for its antioxidant properties and immune system support, whole food vitamin C can help regulate the immune response and reduce inflammation associated with allergies.

2. N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC): NAC is a precursor to glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that helps combat oxidative stress and regulate the immune system. It has been shown to reduce inflammation and improve respiratory function in individuals with allergies.

3. Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia): A traditional Ayurvedic herb, guduchi has been used for centuries to support immune function and reduce allergic reactions. It possesses anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, making it beneficial for managing allergies.

4. Bromelain: Derived from pineapple, bromelain is a mixture of enzymes known for its anti-inflammatory and mucolytic properties. It can help alleviate nasal congestion and respiratory symptoms associated with allergies.

In contrast to conventional approaches that often focus solely on symptom management with pharmaceutical drugs, holistic modalities rooted in functional medicine address the underlying imbalances contributing to allergic responses. Here's how:

1. Identifying Triggers: Functional medicine practitioners conduct comprehensive assessments to identify allergens and other triggers, including dietary, environmental, and lifestyle factors.
2. Addressing Gut Health: The gut plays a crucial role in immune function and tolerance. Functional medicine emphasizes optimizing gut health through dietary modifications, probiotics, and gut-healing protocols to restore microbial balance and reduce inflammation.
3. Balancing Immune Function: Immune dysregulation underlies allergic responses. Functional medicine interventions, such as nutritional supplements, botanicals, and lifestyle modifications, aim to modulate immune function and promote tolerance to allergens.
4. Reducing Inflammation: Chronic inflammation exacerbates allergic symptoms. Functional medicine approaches focus on mitigating inflammation through anti-inflammatory dietetics, stress reduction techniques, and targeted supplementation with nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C.
5. Supporting Detoxification: In addition to supplementation, a functional medicine detox can be beneficial in mitigating body burden and supporting overall health. By addressing underlying imbalances and reducing toxic exposure, a detox program can help alleviate allergy symptoms and improve overall well-being. Environmental toxins can exacerbate allergic responses by burdening the body's detoxification pathways. Functional medicine advocates for detoxification protocols tailored to individual needs, including dietary modifications, sauna therapy, and targeted supplementation.

Kim, Hyon-Jeen, et al. “Nrf2 Activation by Sulforaphane Restores the Age-Related Decrease of TH1 Immunity: Role of Dendritic Cells.” Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, vol. 121, no. 5, 1 May 2008, pp. 1255-1261.e7, www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(08)00148-6/fulltext, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2008.01.016

Engwerda, C. R., et al. “Bromelain Modulates T Cell and B Cell Immune Responses in Vitro and in Vivo.” Cellular Immunology, vol. 210, no. 1, 25 May 2001, pp. 66–75, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11485354/, https://doi.org/10.1006/cimm.2001.1807.

Singh, S. M., Singh, N., & Singh, V. (2009). Immunomodulatory and anti-tumor actions of Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi). Natural Products: Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmacology, 114, 35-43.

​Belwal, T., Devkota, H. P., Hassan, H. A., Ahluwalia, S., Ramadan, M. F., Mocan, A., & Atanasov, A. G. (2018). Phytopharmacology of Acerola (Malpighia spp.) and its potential as functional food. Trends in food science & technology, 74, 99-106.

​Gilboa, Suzanne M., et al. “Use of Antihistamine Medications during Early Pregnancy and Isolated Major Malformations.” Birth Defects Research Part A: Clinical and Molecular Teratology, vol. 85, no. 2, Feb. 2009, pp. 137–150, https://doi.org/10.1002/bdra.20513. Accessed 10 Dec. 2019.

Dandelion, also known as "tooth of the lion", for its leaves striking resemblance to a lion's teeth. This thought to be prevalent weed is actually a tenacious, highly nutritious medicinal plant. Commonly known for its composite flower head, dandelion is edible from petal to root. Despite rampant attempts to annihilate with pesticides, dandelion thrives returning year after year from farm field, garden beds to beside freeways and gutters, there is no stopping these distinct golden flowers each spring. Resilient as they are, there are medicinal reasons to benefit from dandelion.

Dandelion greens and roots can be harvested almost all times of year whether or not the plant has gone to flower. The best time to harvest would be when they are young, fresher and less bitter. This would be in the rapid early spring of dandelions leaves first emergence. Look for lighter green and more tender leaves. At this time there is less sun exposure because it is still low in the sky and days are shorter. Therefore, locations providing less sun stimulation for the dandelion to produce less bitter leaves and root. Roots have are suggested to be best harvested in early spring when they still young and have yet to produce spring bitters to feed their growing leaves and flowers. Waiting too long to harvest roots will cause woody and bitter flavors. When choosing a location to harvest, it is important to take into factor the growth period of dandelion. If there is slow growth, this is due to the lack of moisture this plant was provided and/or contributed to a lack of growth-promoting nutrients (i.e. nitrogen). This will go stagnant in the plants body and bake in the sun causing bitterness. Therefore, spring rains, well-moisturized soil, nonfreezing temperatures and healthy energy storage contribute to explosive spring growth. Look for locations that show these distinctions. Rich soil, abundant moisture, lack of competition, and shade are the most important factors when harvesting. Dandelion seem to grow best in shaded areas by tall plants, rock features, topography and other natural features. Flowers and seeds of dandelion grow in the spring in many stages until taking seed. After spring's massive flowering, dandelion continues to grow sporadically throughout the rest of the year with a small upsurge of blooming flowers in the fall. Bitterness may be in contribution to too much sun, slow growth and root energy storage. Dandelion root can be dug from the ground cautiously, washed well and dried, cooked (below 110 F) or dehydrated. If you are not harvesting the entire plant and want only the leaves, cut a couple inches above the base. Be aware dandelion will have milky juices that will bleed from cuts made. To avoid leakage one can cut the stems off and store wrapped up to avoid leaf stain. Rinse the greens and root if collected both prior to consumption testing to be sure the flavor is to bitterness-liking. Soaking in an cold water for 5-10 minutes will perk up leafy dandelion greens. When storing a pyrex bowl, or bag will aid wilting. Greens can be stored for up to a week. The heart will need to be immediately to wash for dirt and soaked 5-10 minutes in cold water to leech milky juices. Flower, buds and stems are stored in the same manner as conventional bought flowers, in cold water and supported in a vase.

So wide-spread, abundant and hardy there is hardly a reason to plant it. Dandelion a cold-loving plant that enjoys moist soil, full of sun. Dandelion commonly is known to emerge in a well-watered garden or area in the spring or autumn, especially for the flowers around the months of April or May. Overtime dandelion will grow more and longer leaves, and sends down a taproot that thicken with age. Therefore, the moister the conditions the more leafage and larger, and deeper root dandelion will surmount in its second stage of development (flowering). As a perennial, dandelion can survive for two or more winters with an occasion late winter, early spring bloom depending on the climate conditions. Despite this capability, dandelion photosynthesizes energy to buildup a storehouse of energy in the roots to support flower and growth. As a winter-tolerant plant, dandelion decreases sugar and increases alcohol content to survive the cold. This is a preventive measure that protects damage in the cells from potential freezing. When winter passes above ground dandelion leafage begins to grow rapidly using up the stored energy from the taproot. The dandelion plant generally is proportional to the root. Cultivation provides great sources of food for our local pollinators (i.e. bees!).

Dandelion has six edible parts: leaves, flower buds, upper bud stem, flowers, heart and roots.  Commonly dried dandelion root is great in decoctions as tea or in tinctures as a blood purifier, mild diuretic and laxative. Roasted dandelion root is a simple way to enhance a coffee-like flavor without the caffeine from the root and enjoy in a decoction with other herbs (i.e. burdock, chicory). The root is also commonly used in vegetable broths, stir-fries, rice, pickeling recipes and mung bean porridge. Leaves can be eaten raw, sauteéd, cooked, steamed or boiled depending on preference. Fresh leaves are often found in zesty pestos paired with a variety of other fresh herbs (i.e. chickweed, chicory greens, endive greens, cilantro, parsley, etc). Dandelion heart can be eaten raw, boiled, sauteéd or baked. Flowers, buds and stems can be harvested to eat as garnishes raw, in salad and sandwiches. However, flowers must be eaten within 3 hours before wilting. Petals are enjoyed cooked, boiled, in soup, raw in salads, syrups and wine. Generally removed from the bud sprinkled on dishes. Once petals are boiled they are less flavorful and more of a leafy green taste. Buds are delicate and are best least processed, such as raw, pickled or cooked with greens.

Dandelion has a long history of being used by practitioners as a digestive aid that stimulates bile secretion, cleanse the liver out from toxins, is a blood purifier, and helps with insulin management.  The root clears obstruction in the spleen, pancreas, gall bladder, and kidneys. Both the leaf and root are mild diuretics with laxative effects. In Chinese medicine the root is recognized for balancing the liver and pancreatic enzymes by stimulating digestion, assimilation and elimination. This is specific for treating hypoglycemia when combined with other herbs (i.e. ginseng, ginger, huckleberry lf). The root is considered a nutritive in its ability to  decreases blood pressure and supplying minerals in treating anemia and diuretic affects by encouraging sodium elimination in the urine. The dried leaf is commonly taken in the form of tea for fluid retention, cystitis, nephritis, weight loss and hepatitis. The root and leaf offer a range of vitamins and trace minerals. Such as, the bitter leaves contain more iron and calcium than the root, but the sweeter yellow flowers contain carotenoids like lutein. The greens provide high amounts of vitamin K known to strengthen bones and potential role in fighting Alzheimer’s disease limiting neural damage in the brain. The leafy greens requirement of vitamin A (antioxidant carotenoid) is suggested to be good for the skin, mucous membranes and vision. High in inulin and pectin (soluble fibers) they tend to help satiate the body assisting weight control and optimize cholesterol levels. Also, the greens contain vitamin C, B6, thiamin, riboflavin, calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium and manganese. Further nutrients found present include folate, phosphorus, copper, and is packed with flavonoids, such as carotene-ß, carotene-α, lutein, cryptoxanthin, and zeaxanthin. These suggest consumption of dandelion rich may help the human body protect from lung and oral cavity cancer (Vitamin C and flavonoids [carotene]), while zeaxanthin may help protect the retina from harmful UV rays. The leaves have a greater affinity for the kidneys and/or bladder as a diuretic (action that makes one pee), whereas roots focus more on the liver (detoxification increasing bile production and excretion). Unlike synthetic diuretics dandelion contains high amounts of potassium and is able to replenish itself when lost during elimination.  The flowers and stalks contain a milk latex that if applied diligently several times a day over the course of two to three weeks will rid of unwanted warts. Dandelions liver-supportive properties aid digestion, relieve constipation, improve fat digestion and absorption, improve skin issues, lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and fresh roots are known to relieve allergies as a natural antihistamine. Fresh dandelion makes great additions in various edible arrangements, as dry dandelion pairs well in tea, tinctures, herbal pills or capsules or infused vinegar.

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