Two-Step Approach for Gut Health and Allergies
Hippocrates once said that ‘all disease begins in the gut’ … and how right he was! Gut conditions, like small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), leaky gut and IBS, can all trigger uncomfortable symptoms, such as bloating, gas, cramps, diarrhea and fatigue. However modern day research has also linked poor gut health and allergies, autoimmune and inflammatory conditions, neurological issues, and malabsorption.
The good news is that it is possible to improve your gut health and allergies risk. You can reduce your risk factors for other chronic health conditions by encouraging gut healing through a two-step Naturopathic approach.
1) Weed and seed:
Weeding involves ‘weeding out’ unhealthy bacteria, yeasts and fungi from the gut. Seeding involves introducing beneficial bacteria and healing the gut lining. Naturopaths can achieve this by prescribing a variety of naturopathic herbs, including:
- Antimicrobial herbs – herbs like golden seal, oregano, wormwood, andrographis, pau d’arco, olive leaf and Echinacea can help kill off gut pathogens and cleanse digestion.
- Pre-biotics – including fermented foods (like kim chi and sauerkraut) may be recommended to help promote the growth of good bacteria in the gut.
- Probiotics – such as saccharomyces boulardii, may also be prescribed to introduce ‘good’ or ‘helpful’ bacteria into the gut. These may improve digestion and increase immunity.
The herbs prescribed during the weed and seed stage may vary depending on the individual, their history and presentation of symptoms. This stage also needs to be paced in order to avoid Herxheimer’s reaction, a consequence of sudden bacterial die off. Symptoms of Herxheimer’s reaction may include fatigue, nausea and headaches.
2) Heal and seal:
Once the pathogens contributing to gut irritation have been partially reduced, we can focus on healing and sealing the lining of the gut. There are a number of Naturopathic herbs that may help improve gut health and allergies, including:
- L- Glutamine – the body’s dominant amino acid and plays a huge role in strengthening and healing the lining of the gut as well as preventing bacteria infiltrating the bloodstream with leaky gut. L-Glutamine is also important to improve immune function, which makes it useful when managing food allergies and intolerances
- Slippery elm and aloe vera – who’s protective, calming and anti-inflammatory properties sooth to the mucosal layer (responsible for digestion, absorption and secretion) of the digestive tract.
- Medicinal herbs – golden seal, calendula, chamomile, licorice, turmeric all exert anti- microbial, soothing and healing effects of the lining of the GI tract. Fennel, peppermint, lemon balm, ginger are carminitives, which help reduce pain and cramping associated with gas build up and bloating
- Bone broth – an easily absorbed nutrient source with notable amounts of glucosamine/chondroitin/proline and other important minerals. These all contribute to soothing and healing the lining of a damaged digestive tract.
- Vitamins A & D – required for healing and maintaining the mucousal layer of the gut and for normal immune function.
Natural Allergy Treatment
At Health & Wellness Australia & Auckland (HWA), our Naturopaths use a form of muscle testing (kinesiology) to help pinpoint the substances triggering your allergy symptoms and contributing to your symptoms. Following this, we perform a natural allergy treatment called Positive Association Technique (PAT), which aims to reduce your reactions and symptoms.
Positive Association Technique (PAT)
Positive Association Technique (PAT) is a non-invasive holistic therapy, which:
- draws on acupressure and kinesiology techniques
- aims to re-train your body
- may reduce your reactions to food and environmental substances
At Health & Wellness Australia & Auckland (HWA), our Naturopaths use a form of muscle testing (kinesiology) to help pinpoint the food and environmental substances triggering your allergy symptoms.
Following this, we perform a natural allergy treatment called Positive Association Technique (PAT), which aims to reduce your reactions and symptoms.
We stimulate acupressure points down the spine with a chiropractic tool called an ‘Acustim’, while you are holding onto a sample vial of the substance, which aims to to re-train your body to no longer react to the substance.
Some cases can be complex, so our Naturopaths may also recommend supplements and herbs, and provide lifestyle advice to help you achieve the best long-term results.
Get in touch
- Call us on 1300 853 023 / 09 479 5997 (NZ) to chat to our friendly staff
- Send us your question HERE
- Request a Free PAT Information E-PACK HERE
Please note this blog is general information only. Always consult your healthcare professional before making any diet or lifestyle changes
Related Articles
Gut Health & Allergies
Leaky gut syndrome is a condition where the lining of the gut becomes more porous (‘holey’) and inflamed. The link between gut health and allergies is circular.
Food Intolerance
Food intolerance can cause a wide range of symptoms, and are notoriously difficult to pinpoint. So, what causes food intolerance symptoms?
