A Dust Arose and Clogged My Nose
April, 2025
It’s finally getting warmer outside, and visits to the farm are increasing. The veggies and herbs are starting to thrive in the gardens, and the threat of a freeze that could destroy tender fruit blossoms appears to have passed. People are spending more time outside playing as the days are getting longer. All good things… So why are many of our regular visitors suffering both physically and mentally? I have had more than a few parents postpone visits these past few weeks because their kids were “melting down” and unable to leave the house. Behavioral incidents at schools and SIB (self-injurious behaviors) are on the rise, and sleep quality is on the decline.
People who suffer from mental health issues often report symptoms being worse in the spring. In people who have mood disorders, this is referred to as “spring mania”, and it is usually attributed to a sensitivity to light and circadian rhythm shifts. As the length of the day increases, the amount of the hormone melatonin our bodies produce to help trigger sleep decreases. While this has long been accepted as the primary reason for these behavioral changes, a newer body of research is emerging that is offering another possible explanation for abrupt mood changes in the springtime, sometimes including depression so severe it even leads to suicidal ideation. The cause? Allergies! A growing number of studies have shown an association between seasonal allergic rhinitis and depression. Exposure to airborne allergens in sensitive people can trigger immune responses and induce neuroinflammation, which can cause a whole host of psychiatric and physical difficulties. Not surprisingly, the clientele of Helping Friendly Farm often falls into this category of sensitive people.
Histamines are best known for being those chemicals that are involved in the body’s allergic response, causing allergy symptoms like sneezing and itchy eyes. However, histamines also act as neurotransmitters in the brain, influencing various physiological processes such as appetite, cognition, and mood. Many of our farm visitors have allergies or are susceptible to various food and environmental triggers. In fact, people who have autism may even produce more histamine and cytokines — chemicals that cause inflammation. So, when your child is having a histamine reaction that is outwardly manifesting as sneezing or itching, it may also be causing inflammation in their brain. The increased irritability you might be seeing recently could have a scientific explanation. There is so much we are learning about how the immune system affects not only physical health but mental health as well. As a parent who was thrown into the PANS world, I have had to become aware of triggers and strive to thwart neuroinflammation when I can. I often feel like I’m playing whack-a-mole during the spring and have to remind myself that the thick coating of pollen on every outdoor surface is ephemeral and won’t last forever. Yes, the rebirth of Earth is beautiful – even magical. It can also be very difficult for people who struggle with sensory integration, allergies, autism, mood disorders, and autoimmune diseases.
Luckily, admission to Helping Friendly Farm includes access to the Sensory Barn, away from the elements. There are lots of opportunities for sensory input, making music, as well as quiet exploration and relaxing in the barn. In addition to our indoor space, we are proud to grow herbs and plants outside in our hugelkultur gardens that are known to lessen histamine and inflammatory responses.
Our rosemary plants contain a substance called rosmarinic acid, which helps calm down the immune system and can block histamines from causing allergy symptoms. We also grow Holy Basil (Tulsi) in our newly planted Tea Garden. Tulsi is a special herb used in Indian medicine that aids the body in fighting stress and reducing inflammation. The mint varieties we grow at the farm all contain menthol, which not only can help you breathe better but also can help calm allergic reactions in your body. Our sage has anti-inflammatory properties and helps to cool down immune reactions, including those from allergies. In the fall, when ragweed is prevalent in the Mid-Atlantic, our apples work as natural antihistamines. This is because apples have a plant chemical called quercetin, which is known to stop the release of histamines. Maybe that’s why an apple a day keeps the doctor away?!
Our understanding of the immune system’s role in neuropsychiatric and physical health is evolving, much like our understanding of the complexities and inner workings of the brain. New research is being conducted, and connections are being made across disciplines. While these studies are happening in the scientific world, rest assured that at Helping Friendly Farm, you can find something to brighten your day and maybe even discover a remedy for that itchy nose!