3 Natural Antihistamines

When sniffles, scratchy throat and red, itchy eyes occur you know your allergies are kicking in. Sometimes this means perpetually suffering until local pollen and various allergens subside while other times it may be an isolated response. Either way, you will most likely run to an over-the-counter (OTC) remedy that comes with a host of side effects.

These 3 natural antihistamines have shown to work just as well as OTC attempts but with little or no side effects. Before you reach for something that dries you up and makes you jittery or exhausted or jittery and exhausted at the same time, try a single alternative remedy or combination to get you back on track and stay that way. Do keep in mind that the earlier you use natural antihistamines the more chances the remedy will have time to accumulate in your system for a more potent response.

Feel Less Swell

Once you are about to explode in an allergic reaction, your nasal and throat tissues begin to swell. Try bromelain, the natural compound found in pineapples, to reduce inflammation and stop symptoms in their tracks. Bromelain best works when taken in supplemental form which regulates quality, potency and milligrams.

A study by Indian researchers published in Biotechnology Research International (12/10/12) stated that,

“Bromelain is a food supplement that may provide an alternative treatment to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).[]. Bromelain has analgesic [pain killing] properties which are thought to be the result of its direct influence on pain mediators such as bradykinin…[] oral therapy with bromelain produces certain analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects…[]. It is proved that bromelain is well absorbed in body after oral administration and it has no major side effects, even after prolonged use. All the evidences reviewed in this paper suggest that bromelain can be used as an effective health supplement.”

Bromelain dosage as recommended by Alternative Medicine Review (AMR vol 5, no 5, 2000),

“The therapeutic dose for allergic rhinitis [inflammation of mucous membrane] ranges from 400-500 mg three times daily of an 1800-2000 m.c.u. potency bromelain…[] bromelain should be taken on an empty stomach”

C The Way

Yup, it’s vitamin C again, the veritable go-to for keeping your body running on all cylinders. This vitamin, technically called ascorbic acid, is absorbed when consumed naturally from citrus such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons, especially kiwis, and even peppers! Supplementing is beneficial as well, however it is important to use a reputable brand of high dosage vitamin C.

AMR reports on the results of several vitamin C studies stating, 

“Vitamin C has been found to exert a number of effects on histamine. It appears to prevent the secretion of histamine by white blood cells and increase its detoxification. Histamine levels were found to increase exponentially as ascorbic acid levels in the plasma decreased.”

A seasickness study also confirmed the use of vitamin C. During seasickness, your body naturally increase histamines as a warning of something gone awry. The study applied the use of vitamin C supplements to determine whether it suppresses nausea in 70 volunteers who spent 20 minutes in a life raft, exposed to one-meter-high waves in an indoor pool.

Published in the Journal of Vestibular Research (2014) the study concluded that,

“Some of the data show that vitamin C is effective in suppressing symptoms of seasickness, particularly in women and men younger than 27 years of age, and is devoid of side effects. Histamine levels were initially increased after the test persons had been exposed to waves.”

The recommended dosage of vitamin C as an antihistamine is between 500-3000 mg per day. Talk to your physician or holistic practitioner to determine the best vitamin C dosage that may be helpful for you.

Q-Tip

The quirky sounding compound quercetin (kware-so-tin) represents a part of a polyphenol, flavonoid subgroup called flavonols. Flavonols can be found in onions, the most studied quercetin containing food, and broccoli, apples, grapes, berries, tea, and wine.

Known as a natural mast cell stabilizer, quercetin contains antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties proven in many research studies to display anti-allergy mechanisms. Through the inhibition of histamine inflammatory markers and enzymes, quercetin is considered one of the best natural antihistamine remedies.

The review ‘Quercetin and Its Anti-Allergic Immune Response’ published in the journal Molecules (5/12/16) concluded that,

“It is well known that quercetin is an inhibitor of human mast cell activation through the inhibition of Ca2+ influx, histamine, leukotrienes and prostaglandins release. This review also summarizes the role of quercetin in relation to respiratory allergic diseases (in vitro, animal and epidemiological studies) and food allergies. The results of the studies prove a unique position of quercetin in the treatment of allergic disorders and the possibility of using phytochemicals such as quercetin for an efficient cure.”

According to AMR,

“The recommended dosage for allergic rhinitis ranges from 250-600 mg, three times daily, five to ten minutes before meals. Quercetin’s efficacy may be enhanced when bromelain is taken concomitantly.”

 

If you are exposed or prone to allergic responses from seasonal changes, chemical pollutants or other sources, try these 3 natural antihistamines to employ your body’s innate healing capabilities.