quick questions before I share some additional thoughts and suggestions. Does he consume dairy and gluten? Knowing that you suffered with mold illness, did you ever run a MycoTox test for him as well?

 Ok, so allergic rhinitis can be triggered by environmental allergies, such as seasonal, animal, toxins (mold), or it can also be triggered by eating a certain food, such as dairy.

So more questions coming your way and I would for sure do a 100% elimination trial of dairy first since it is mucous forming. This may resolve his symptoms entirely.

Other than the recent congestion and cough though, does he / did he experience any other symptoms? Did he have reflux as a baby? Have you started giving him any new supplements recently (other than the immune supportive ones). Fermented food or cod liver oil intake by any chance? I’m trying to see if histamine might be at play.

In terms of rapid relief for the cough, have you tried my flaxseed remedy? It’s unbelievably effective for both wet & dry coughs.

As a rapid relief for allergies/congestion, here are my favorites and reasons why:

Quercetin (a natural anti-histamine): Quercetin actually calms the immune system to reduce or prevent histamine release.

Stinging nettle leaf (not root): It’s also has ‘antihistamine’  action because it makes histamine receptors less sensitive.  Because of this mode of action, I tend to use stinging nettle as a synergistic, additive pairing with an antihistamine like quercetin (vs. an agent on its own). 

I don’t think Butterbur would be suitable for your son (I think he’s less than 6 years right?) but just wanted to mention it as it might help other B Better members reading this. This one has actually been formally studied and found to be just as effective as Zyrtec at treating seasonal allergy symptoms.  Unlike quercetin, butterbur is helpful because it is an anti-spasmodic remedy. Phytochemicals in butterbur relax swollen nasal membranes and alleviate muscle spasms in the respiratory system.  When our immune system reacts to a perceived “foreign invader” (like an allergen), our cells produce  inflammatory signaling molecules called leukotrienes (which usually happens in concert with the production of histamine, as mentioned above).  Leukotrienes trigger spasms in the trachea which can help us to cough – to expel undesirable substances.  Overproduction of leukotrienes, however, causes major inflammation in the respiratory system in the case of asthma and allergy. Butterbur simply interferes with the production of leukotrienes. Short-term use (3-4 mos) is generally regarded as quite safe; long-term use has not been studied.   Note that butterbur is not suitable for pregnant or breast-feeding women (or for very young children less than six years of age).  A typical therapeutic adult dose of butterbur extract is about 200mg/day (divided into an AM and PM dose for greater absorption).  Mild headache or stomach ache may be side effects of butterbur and can be best avoided by taking it on a full stomach.  Before you ask:  yes, in very tough cases, it would be quite synergistic to pair these three agents together.

I like to use food therapy with children, so consider trying my Onion Peel & Stinging Nettle Leaf infusion as another measure for rapid relief. Here’s the post I made on Insta showing how to make it.

Ok, let’s keep this conversation going. I’ve got more things I can add, but will wait to hear from you first.

Hey 

If you aren’t using any anti-histamine medication you can try a therapeutic dosage of 50 – 100 mg 2x spread over the day, taken on an empty stomach!

It might take 6-12 weeks to see some effects though!

As for the use of stinging nettle, I will let  answer that!

I hope this advice can give some relief!

 

Usually what works really well with allergic rhinitis is a combination of quercetin and stinging nettle leaf. The leaf (don’t choose the root!) is usually freeze-dried. 

Especially the combination can reduce the histamine load on the body

If you are going to choose these supplements, then the dosage for stinging nettle leaf is as followed: for children between 5-12 take somewhere between 1/3 and 1/4 of the adult dosage (The therapeutic adult dosage is 300 mg 2-3x per day with allergic rhinitis).

I like the open-minded vision of your doctor. If you are going to try this, do it in collaboration with your doctor!

And if you sticking to NAET only, definitely share your results with us!

 I’ve seen some pretty incredible results with NAET when it comes to food sensitivities/allergies with children. But for treating other things in adults, it’s really hit and miss. But worth a shot for your child for sure!