PollenTonic - Veterinary Reference Extract

EquiNatural® | Botanical Nutritional Support for Seasonal Histamine Regulation, Upper-Airway Comfort & Immune Modulation

Organically grown • Human grade • Not veterinary medicine

1. Important Context for Veterinary Review

Seasonal allergic responses in horses present along a spectrum, from mild ocular/nasal irritation to significant immune-mediated reactivity, often labelled clinically as:

  • recurrent seasonal allergy
  • atopic-like reactions
  • mild headshaking secondary to pollen irritation
  • immune–airway hypersensitivity


In many cases, these reactions are immune-driven rather than infectious or bronchoconstrictive, yet horses are frequently treated with:

  • corticosteroids
  • bronchodilators (e.g., clenbuterol)
  • antibiotics
  • systemic NSAIDs


These interventions may provide temporary relief but often fail to address the underlying immune dysregulation, particularly where symptoms align with spring tree pollen exposure.


PollenTonic is designed for the histamine-driven, upper-airway, immune-reactive end of this spectrum, not for chronic respiratory disease, deep-lung congestion, or chronic obstructive airway presentations.


It provides nutritional herbal support only and is not a treatment for asthma, infectious respiratory disease, COPD/RAO, or neurological headshaking.


Functional Positioning — PollenTonic

PollenTonic is positioned within EquiNatural’s respiratory support pathway as the Phase 1 seasonal immune-calming formula, designed specifically for early-season, tree-pollen–related histamine responses.


It supports:

  • immune steadiness during pollen exposure
  • moderation of histamine-like reactivity
  • comfort of the eyes, nose, upper airways
  • early-pattern headshaking linked to irritation rather than airway obstruction
  • mild, surface-level respiratory reactivity (not chest involvement)


It is not a lung or deep-airway formula.


Where coughing, mucous accumulation, or breathing effort appear, the appropriate escalation is:

  • PollenCOMBO (histamine + airway + cough reflex support)
  • BreathePlus (chronic airway sensitivity, wheezing, heave lines, dust-reactive lungs)


Core Actions

  • Helps maintain balanced immune reactivity to seasonal allergens
  • Moderates histamine-type responses in early pollen season
  • Supports mucous membrane tone in eyes, nasal passages, and upper airways
  • Encourages calmer nerve–immune signalling during allergen exposure
  • Provides circulatory support for clearer sinus and upper-respiratory comfort


Rationale for Key Components

Withania — Adaptogenic modulation of the stress–immune axis; supports steady immune response.
 Chamomile — Anti-reactive nervine; supports mucous membrane calm and systemic relaxation.
 Dandelion Leaf — Fluid balance and mild detoxification to support allergen clearance.
 Inula — Supports clear upper-airways and stable mucosal function.
 Euphrasia — Classic ocular–sinus botanical; supports clarity and reduces irritation.
 Ginkgo — Circulatory support for sinus and mucosal tissues; moderates vascular reactivity.
 Liquorice Root — Mucosal demulcent; adrenal–immune buffering (→ steroid caution).
 Peppermint — Cooling, settling influence on upper-airway sensitivity.
 Nettle Leaf — Natural antihistamine-like activity; supports seasonal immune balance.
 Yarrow — Anti-allergenic, vascular tonic; supports mucous membrane tone.


2. Product Summary

PollenTonic is a botanical nutritional formula designed for spring-pollen, histamine-type reactions, supporting:

  • upper-airway comfort
  • ocular/nasal equilibrium
  • calmer immune signalling
  • reduced reactivity to tree-pollens
  • steady seasonal resilience


It is a gentle, targeted seasonal-support formula, not a deep respiratory remedy and not appropriate for chronic airway disease.


3. Clinical Rationale (Nutritional Mechanisms of Action)

Immune Modulation & Histamine Steadiness (Withania, Nettle, Chamomile)

  • Supports balanced immune responses
  • Helps regulate mild histamine reactivity
  • Maintains calmer systemic immune signalling during allergen exposure

Upper-Airway & Ocular Mucosal Support (Euphrasia, Peppermint, Inula)

  • Traditionally used for sinus, nasal, and ocular irritation
  • Helps soothe inflamed mucous membranes
  • Supports clearer nasal airflow

Circulatory & Microvascular Tone (Ginkgo, Yarrow)

  • Enhances perfusion to upper respiratory tissues
  • Supports stable vascular responses during allergen challenges

Adrenal–Immune Interface Support (Liquorice)

  • Helps buffer immune reactivity linked to stress–adrenal load
  • → Veterinary caution with corticosteroid therapy


Botanical responses are nutritional in nature and do not replace pharmacological antihistamines or anti-inflammatories.


4. Nutritional Indications (Non-Diagnostic)

PollenTonic may be considered when a horse presents with mild to moderate, histamine-type spring reactions, including:

  • itchy or watery eyes
  • nose rubbing
  • mild headshaking only during pollen exposure
  • early-season sinus irritation
  • pollen-triggered reactivity without chest involvement
  • seasonal sensitivity fluctuating with wind and pollen count


Not indicated for:

  • wheezing, breathing effort, flared nostrils
  • chronic coughing
  • airway congestion
  • heave lines
  • reactions unrelated to pollen season (possible neurological involvement)


5. Composition

Withania somnifera
Matricaria recutita
Taraxacum officinale folia
Inula helenium
Euphrasia officinalis
Ginkgo biloba
Glycyrrhiza glabra
Mentha piperita
Urtica dioica folia
Achillea millefolium

(Organically grown • Human grade)


6. Herb Micro-Monographs (Technical)

Withania — Adaptogen supporting immune overreaction moderation.
 Chamomile — Anti-inflammatory nervine aiding mucosal calm.
 Dandelion Leaf — Supports detoxification and fluid balance during allergen exposure.
 Inula — Supports mucosal tone and upper-respiratory comfort.
 Euphrasia — Traditionally used for ocular and sinus membrane support.
 Ginkgo — Enhances microcirculation and supports vascular stability.
 Liquorice Root — Demulcent herb supporting mucosal comfort (→ steroid caution).
 Peppermint — Cooling and easing to upper-airway tissues.
 Nettle — Natural antihistamine-like profile; seasonal immune steadiness.
 Yarrow — Vascular and mucosal support; anti-allergenic traditional use.


7. Medication Considerations

Use with veterinary guidance when combined with:

  • Corticosteroids (systemic or inhaled) — Liquorice may prolong steroid activity
  • Anticoagulants / antiplatelet drugs — Ginkgo / Yarrow have mild vascular effects
  • Immunosuppressants — herbs may influence immune tone
  • Diuretics — Dandelion & Liquorice influence fluid balance


No harmful interactions reported at nutritional levels, but spacing herbal and medicated feeds by several hours is prudent.


8. Feeding Guidance

Dried Herbs: 5 g per 100 kg (25 g/500 kg horse)

Organic Tincture: 6 ml per 100 kg (30 ml/500 kg horse)

Introduce gradually over 3–5 days.


Begin feeding 4–6 weeks before peak pollen season for best results.


9. Clinical Considerations

Advisories

  • Not a replacement for veterinary assessment where respiratory distress is present
  • Seasonal-use formula; may be fed through spring as needed
  • Combine with environmental management (dust reduction, hay steaming, etc.)
  • Monitor horses with adrenal or fluid-balance issues

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy/lactation
  • Concurrent steroid use without veterinary oversight
  • Horses with kidney disease or electrolyte imbalances
  • Atypical/non-seasonal headshaking


10. Supporting Products

  • PollenCOMBO – for escalation into cough/airway irritation
  • BreathePlus – for chronic or lower-airway involvement
  • Spirulina – histamine modulation
  • BiomeTonic – gut–immune axis reinforcement


11. Standard Professional Disclaimer

PollenTonic is a botanical nutritional supplement and not veterinary medicine.
It does not diagnose, treat, or prevent disease.
Veterinary consultation is recommended for horses on medication or presenting with respiratory distress.