Histamine intolerance: causes, symptoms and anthroposophic treatment approaches

Histamine is a substance that occurs in the human body and is found in many foods. It plays an important role in the immune system, digestion and the regulation of various physiological processes. People with histamine intolerance have difficulty breaking down histamine appropriately, which can lead to an accumulation of this molecule in the body. This accumulation can lead to a variety of unpleasant symptoms.

The causes of histamine intolerance can be varied. A deficiency in diamine oxidase (DAO), an enzyme that breaks down histamine, is often considered to be the main cause. This deficiency can be genetic or influenced by environmental factors and lifestyle. Risk factors include stress, certain medications, digestive disorders and food intolerances.

Symptoms of histamine intolerance can vary from person to person and range from gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating and diarrhea to skin problems such as itching, rashes and eczema. In addition, headaches, dizziness, palpitations and breathing difficulties can occur. The variety of symptoms often makes diagnosis difficult and means that the disease is frequently overlooked.

Diagnosing histamine intolerance can be a challenge as there are no specific tests that can clearly confirm this condition. Often the diagnosis is made by ruling out other conditions and by careful dietary and symptom diary management.

In conventional medicine, treatment usually focuses on avoiding histamine-rich foods and relieving symptoms with antihistamines and other medications. However, these approaches can have limited effectiveness and often do not address the underlying causes of intolerance.

Anthroposophic medicine takes a holistic approach that views the human being as a unity of body, mind and soul. It is based on the teachings of the Austrian physician Rudolf Steiner and the Dutch physician Ita Wegman. In the treatment of histamine intolerance, anthroposophic medicine offers various approaches aimed at strengthening the body’s self-healing powers and restoring balance.

In anthroposophic medicine, histamine intolerance is seen as an expression of a disturbed regulation of the metabolism and immune reactions. Treatment therefore focuses on supporting the body’s regulatory systems and improving the processing of histamine.

The main approaches in the anthroposophical treatment of histamine intolerance include

1. Dietary changes: diet plays a crucial role in the treatment. In anthroposophic medicine, it is recommended to eat a balanced diet of fresh, organically grown foods that are low in histamine. This usually includes fruit, vegetables, rice and certain types of meat and fish. It is also recommended to avoid fermented foods, as they often have high histamine levels.
2. Natural remedies: Anthroposophic medicine uses a variety of herbal remedies to support the digestive system and regulate the immune system. These include preparations made from camomile, yarrow and angelica. These plants have anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that can help relieve symptoms.
3. Anthroposophic therapies: Various therapies such as eurythmy, art therapy and eurythmy therapy can help to restore the balance of body, mind and spirit and activate the body’s self-healing powers. These therapies aim to treat not only the physical symptoms but also the underlying mental and spiritual causes of the illness.
4. Supplementary food supplements: In addition to a balanced diet, certain food supplements can help to alleviate the symptoms of histamine intolerance and support the body in processing histamine. These include supplements containing vitamin C, vitamin B6 and zinc, which play a role in the production of DAO and can therefore support the breakdown of histamine.