Lest we forget, a Paleo diet doesn't make one invincible. While away camping over the weekend around the Sacramento river delta with absolutely fabulous weather, great food, friends, fun, liquid cheer, there was also something in the air -- some sort of pollen effecting just about all of us.
There's a history, here, and to make it short, I suffered debilitating springtime allergies since I was a teenager. I've had the scratch tests (allergic to grasses above all -- you know, those things grain seeds come from), took injections for years, and was on prescriptions for decades. Then, in January of '08, I stopped the medications and have never looked back. Last year, I either had one episode requiring a Claritin, or none, 'cause I can't remember. This weekend, I went on Saturday and got some Claritin, took one, and it did the trick. I began feeling symptoms again Sunday before departure late afternoon and took another. I though that would be it, until I woke this morning after an 8 hour sleep to an awful attack. Then I recalled something from the past whenever that would happen. First, ditch all the clothes you had while there, toss 'em in the washer, and then take a long shower and soap and scrub. In this case, I used Dr. Bronner's liquid peppermint. If you've never tried it, it's quite an experience.
I also took another Claritin. I'm fine, now, but pretty beat and so the kick off for revealing the plan for World Paleo Domination is on hold until tomorrow.
On a couple of notes, take a look at Nikki's Paleo Cookbooks (or click on the image in the right-had sidebar). This is exactly the sort of thing that I want to promote here without compromising either the integrity of the blog or the manner in which information is presented. How many times have commenters asked for recipes and cookbooks? This integrates perfectly with the message and I'm proud to have it over there. And that will be the standard for all products and services that make it over to the right side: I'll be proud to have them there, or they won't be there at all.
Second: yes, Free the Animal receives a portion of each sale that comes as a result of a referral from this site. So, this is a way to help launch the marketing effort and spread the message, as well as secure a great value for yourself. Later: I forgot that Nikki also has a Paleo blog.
Third: If you have not already, I would appreciate if you take a moment to take the survey.
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Does the peppermint make you smell when you get out of the shower?
Not at all. What it does it give a strong tingle in some interesting places.
Richard Nikoley
Richard — Sounds weird, but you may find using a Neti Pot good for treating allergies. It helps clean out your nasal/sinus passageways and removes irritants. I don't know what I'd do without mine.
Don't forget to wash the pillowcases too. The allergens get in your hair during the day, then all over the pillowcase as you sleep and roll around, and of course since your nose is close to the pillow you breathe it all night long. (unless you shower before hitting the rack)
Sheets & pillowcases already washed & dried.
You're exactly right.
Richard Nikoley
I was kicked in the butt by allergies this week as well. Really took a toll and I was out of commission for a few days.
Getting back on track now. Glad you are, too.
Ah, Dr. Bronner's peppermint. Yeah, I'll just say that females should avoid it at all costs. Yikes!
I make homemade soap and often use peppermint essential oil in it. usually I put in twice as much as the soap recipe calls for. Love the stuff!!!
Yes. Tingly. And really clears the sinuses!
Love Dr. Bronner's Peppermint. Use it as my soap and shampoo. The tingle is nice. I take it backpacking and wash up after a number of days in the woods. Really nice then.
I used to get pretty significant seasonal allergies that would start the first day we open all the windows in the house, and would run through July if I didn't get going on nasonex or the like. I used to get mild wheezing whenever I had a significant cough. Went low carb / mostly wheat free 6 months ago, and I never wheezed once during my 3 weeks with a cough this January, and so far no allergies this year! Have you noticed any changes of this nature since you started your health improvements?
Yes. Last year I had nothing at all, first time ever. I may have had a normal sneeze, now and then, but that's it. This time there was just too much, but it has passed, now.
Love the blog. A question. Why do you call the way you eat a Paleo diet? I've noticed that on many occasions you evince the benefits of fat(including sat fats)in the diet, and since Dr Cordain advocates low fat eating(for obvious political correctness reasons not evolutionary ones – which goes against his premise) it begs the question: why call it the Paleo diet? I won't discount the importance of the work Dr Cordain has done with his book (though there where others who made the evo/food connection much earlier) but I feel that strictly adhering to the Paleo diet as he outline would be missing a many parts of the puzzle from our ancestors diet(s)(how the hell does he think we survived the last few ice ages, on lean meat??). Is it just that the term is so fitting and catchy?
I agree, Dawson. I typically call it _a_ Paleo diet, or Paleo-like diet. I never call it "The Paleo Diet," for that very reason. Mark Sisson uses "Primal," and De Vany, "Evolutionary Fitness or EvFit.
I've toyed with an actual name that's completely different, but for now "Paleo or Paleo-like fits the bill.
Thanks for the reply! I think the movement definitely needs some common terminology. Keep up the good work!
Hunter-gatherer diets weren't necessarily low-carb, so saying "Low Carb" doesn't really capture it.
It's not a neolithic diet; it's chosen specifically to match our evolutionary heritage.
I'd suggest calling it "paleo", with a lowercase p. I'm leaning that way, now.
Absolutely. This is why low-carb diets often fail. I'm sure there have been failures with people eating paleo, but I don't think I've yet to hear of them.
I myself went on Atkins at least 6 times and failed each time.
Just stumbled onto this old(er) post of yours. I've had a similar experience when it comes to springtime allergies, namely they've kicked my butt ever since high school (I'm 25 now). Had the scratch tests too (aren't those fun) and found numerous trees and pets to be on my list of things to 'avoid.' However, since going low-carb (1-2 years) but now Paleo/Primal (6 months?!?) I've noticed these allergies have almost disappeared, moreso since going Paleo. I went from at one time being recommended for weekly/monthly allergy shots to now like you using an antihistamine occassionally/as needed.
Anyway what caught my eye was the 'relapse' you had with allergies and your comments. I too occassionally have allergic relapses, mostly when visiting my parents and their cat. I've found two things. First, If I had eaten some/a bunch of sugar or typical SAD food that weekend (unfortunately this happens occassionally when I go home to a house filled with food vices from my childhood) then the allergies were much more likely to occur…an interesting n=1 observation. The second is right on with what you mentioned…if I go back home and have with me clothes that I had taken or worn while home my allergies tend to continue until I throw that whole mess in the washer. Just wanted you to know my observations were right on with yours.
Sorry for the long comment and thanks for a great blog…I always look forward to reading it.
Since that incident I have had almost zero problems this season. I
suppose the lesson is that when this happens, get away from the source.