MCAS Relief

This blend is near and dear to my heart, as it got me through many nights the past three months while struggling with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome episodes. I’ve created this blend with the help of my Integrative Health Practitioner, Madison Yount. Her knowledge on MCAS was an answer to prayer. Upon our first interaction with each other, she asked if I had these herbs on hand and of course I did, so I made a tea from it and it has helped me significantly.

What is MCAS? Taken from https://www.botanicalmedicine.org/herbal-approach-to-mcas-and-histamine-intolerance/

Mast Cell Activation Disorder (MCAD) is an umbrella term for mast cell conditions that results in either the overproduction of mast cells or overactivation of existing mast cells. MCAS patients often benefit from strong immune modulators, nervous system trophorestoratives, and mucilagenous herbs that soothe and heal the GI system. Immune modulatory herbs serve to “retrain” a hyper-reactive immune response. In MCAS, patients either produce too many mast cells or trigger the ones they have more readily. The clinician must determine what each patient’s triggers are and address each of those as well. Inflammation modulators like Curcuma longa (Tumeric), Boswellia serrata (Frankincense), and Scutellaria baicalensis (Skullcap) aid in immune cell regulation, helping to retrain the inflammatory cascade.

Nervous system trophorestoratives offer healing to the overtaxed system and a means to recalibrate the patient’s resilience to stress, which in turn, indirectly decreases mast cell reactivity. This is something I’ve found more beneficial clinically, rather than reflected in research. Some herbs to consider using include Avena sativa (Oat), Verbena officinalis (Vervain), and Matricaria chamomila (Chamomile). Lastly many of these patients struggle to eat a normal diet, often finding reactivity to a variety of foods. It becomes a challenge to heal their reactive GI system through dietary intake alone, thus, Althaea officinalis (Marshmallow) and Ulmus rubra (Slippery Elm) can be used to heal the irritated mucosa while providing some nutrition. Althaea has even been found to have anti-inflammatory effects in asthma.

Patients with histamine intolerance can benefit from the aforementioned herbal actions, in addition to herbs with more targeted antihistaminergic and mast cell stabilizing properties. For example, Urtica diocia (Nettles) has been shown to positively impact the inflammatory cascade. Moringa oleifera (Moringa) has also been shown to inhibit mast cell release.

Tulsi (holy basil) is known to be a natural anti-histamine and it is also known to help with bowel movements and removing toxins. Holy basil works by preventing mast cell degranulation, which is the process by which histamine is released in response to allergens. Some research finds that holy basil affects histamine’s H2 receptor in a way that may benefit histamine intolerance.

Ingredients:

Chamomile, Nettle, Tulsi Basil, Lemon Balm, Moringa, Marshmallow Root,

Skullcap, Gotu Kola

**May not be breastfeeding or pregnancy safe. Consult with practitioner before using**

Note: The information on this site is provided as a research resource for health professionals and is not intended to replace diagnosis and treatment by a qualified health care practitioner. Consult your medical care provider before using any herbal medicine.