If you're allergic to onions, your immune system will identify onions, and possibly other alliums, as dangerous substances. Your body then takes protective measures, including the release of chemicals like histamine. These chemicals can cause symptoms ranging from uncomfortable to potentially life-threatening.
Low Histamine Foods
Vegetables: Onion, sweet potatoes, asparagus, broccoli, squash, cucumbers, beets.
Onions are rich in quercetin, a flavonoid antioxidant that acts as a natural antihistamine. Quercetin works by blocking the production and release of histamines, compounds involved in the body's allergic response, and inhibiting other allergic and inflammatory compounds.
Alliums like garlic and onion are generally well tolerated on a low histamine diet in small amounts.
Natural diamine oxidase in the body normally degrades histamine, but when there is not enough activity and degradation, histamine levels become unbalanced. The use of a diamine oxidase supplement is able to compensate for the reduction in DAO activity.
Potatoes do not have a high histamine content and do not increase the body's histamine burden. Therefore, most people with histamine intolerance can eat them safely. You can also eat potatoes with additional food sensitivities, such as gluten sensitivity.
Summary. Natural antihistamines may help you control your seasonal allergies. Common ones are stinging nettle, vitamin C, quercetin, butterbur, bromelain, and probiotics. Some alternative practices—such as acupuncture, nasal irrigation, and exercise—may also help you manage symptoms.
Avocados are naturally very high in histamine and such high levels can be problematic for people with histamine intolerance. If you suspect that you may have histamine intolerance, it is best to avoid foods high in histamine, such as avocados.
“Onions release a chemical that is very specific that targets the cornea, and the cornea has a ton of nerves,” Dr. Deobhakta explains. That chemical is syn-propanethial-S-oxide, a sulfur compound.
Ginger, basil, chives, oregano, garlic, peppermint, rosemary are all excellent histamine lowering herbs. Avoid or restrict anise, cinnamon, cloves, curry powder, paprika, and nutmeg. These can liberate histamine and cause mast cell reactions.
Foods rich in histamine and other biogenic amines include some fresh foods (spinach, eggplant, and tomatoes), most fermented foods and drinks (beer, sauerkraut, yogurt, sausage, etc.), and many canned or processed foods (fish, tomato paste, etc).
Nettles. Nettle leaf is a natural antihistamine that naturally blocks histamine production. It can be made in to a tincture or tea, but for allergy relief, capsules made from dried nettle leaves are the most effective option.
Vitamin C has many immune boosting properties, but is distinctively beneficial for individuals with seasonal discomfort because of its ability to deactivate histamine.
Carrot is likely suitable for a low histamine diet. Carrot is likely low in histamine and other amines and does not trigger release of the body's natural histamine.
Broccoli is likely suitable for a low histamine diet. Broccoli is likely low in histamine and other amines and does not trigger release of the body's natural histamine.
Some high-histamine foodsinclude aged or preserved meats such as smoked or cured meat, aged cheeses, fermented foods, and alcohol. Cocoa, certain nuts, avocado, banana, shellfish, tomatoes, citrus fruits, legumes, and strawberries are other foods high in naturally-occurring histamines.
Eggs are low in histamines, this makes them ideal for the low-histamine diet. Chickpeas, peanuts, and lentils have been found to have low concentrations of histamines and may be safely consumed in a low-histamine diet.
Seasonal allergies are often the cause of histamine production in the body, but foods can also contain this chemical.
The symptoms of histamine intolerance vary widely.
These include: Flushing, difficulty regulating body temperature, sudden excessive sweating. Hives, rashes, swelling, itchy skin, eczema. Racing heart, palpitations, arrhythmia.
You can get a runny or stuffy nose. And you'll sneeze. The mucus can also bother your throat and make you cough. Histamines can make your eyes and nose itch.
Foods which are reported as having lower histamine levels include most fresh produce, fresh meat, certain fresh/frozen fish, eggs including quail eggs and most fresh herbs.
Block and reduce nighttime histamine release
You can block nighttime histamine release and get a better night's sleep by taking 0.25 -1 mg of ketotifen or zaditen at night.