Spring brings a world of colors through cool rain and warm sun. It wakes us by drawing on hibernated energy that has replenished and rebalanced during the winter season. However, the opening of nature means the release of a vast, chemically charged array that mixes with warm breezes making their way right into your respiratory system. These are natural allergens which can be seasonal or all year long in the form of other indoor nuisances.
Some people are built to easily deflect such health compromising compounds but others are not so lucky. Struggling with allergies can be a debilitating experience that lasts days to months long.
An example of symptoms of an allergic reaction to pollen include:
Either way those afflicted often succumb to conventional pharmaceutical remedies that can be a seasonal or even lifelong dosage. If you are in this category you may be able to avoid pharmaceuticals, with the permission of your doctor, by trying these 8 herbal remedies for allergies. Through accumulated dosing you may ba able to build up a good offense or defense against many airborne allergens and get the same or better results than medical intervention.
Butterbur
Petasites hybridus is known as butterbur, a large shrub with big leaves. These leaves were used to wrap and preserve butter during the warm season months which is how it got its common name. Eventually it was discovered that the extract from the leaves of this shrub contained some unique anti-allergy compounds.
Researchers from the Department of Complementary Medicine, Peninsula Medical School, University of Exeter, England published findings of Herbal medicines for the treatment of allergic rhinitis: A Systematic Review in the Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology which stated that,
“Six [out of 16] RCTs [randomized clinical trials] studied Petasites hybridus (butterbur) extract for AR [allergic rhinitis] and suggest that P hybridus is superior to placebo or similarly effective compared with non-sedative antihistamines for intermittent AR.”
Note: Do not use butterbur unless labeled “free of PAs (pyrrolizidine alkaloids) which can damage the liver.
Spirulina
There are so many healing remedies found (and are still being discovered) in the ocean. One popular supplement is blue-green algae aka spirulina. This algae is unique in that has shown to strengthen the immune system as well as suppress the release of cytokines which are small proteins that can contribute to systemic inflammation. Scientists deducted that if spirulina is applied to macular degeneration, inflammation which is one of the main compromises of the disease might be relieved. It seems they were correct in their deduction.
An archived study of spirulina reported the first known results of human testing in regard to allergy relief.
Results were published in the Journal of Medicinal Food by researchers from Division of Rheumatology/Allergy and Clinical Immunology, University of California at Davis, School of Medicine, Davis, California stating,
“In a randomized double-blinded crossover study versus placebo, allergic individuals were fed daily with either placebo or Spirulina, at 1,000 mg or 2,000 mg, for 12 weeks…These results indicate that Spirulina can modulate the Th profile in patients with allergic rhinitis by suppressing the differentiation of Th2 cells mediated, in part, by inhibiting the production of IL-4.[an allergy related cytokine]”
Quercetin
Quercetin is a polyphenol (organic compound primarily found in plants) that shows impressive benefits when it comes to battling allergies.
The study ‘Quercetin and Its Anti-Allergic Immune Response’ published in the journal Molecules compared Quercetin to a common allergy drug stating,
“Quercetin is structurally related to the anti-allergic drug disodium cromoglycate [cromolyn]…Both compounds at the concentration of 100 µM can effectively inhibit secretion of histamine and leukotrienes from primary human cord blood-derived cultured mast cells stimulated by IgE/Anti-IgE [allergic response]. Quercetin is more effective than cromolyn in inhibiting IL-8; reduces IL-6 in a dose-dependent manner;…” [IL-6/8 are allergy symptom causing cytokines]”
Quercetin can be taken as a supplement and us also found in broccoli, cauliflower, green tea, and citrus fruits.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle (urtica dioica) sounds scary but can actually help relieve allergies better than many medicines.
According to a study of Urtica dioica published in Hindawi,
“The safest remedy for allergy and sinus treatment is nettle…Lyophilized leaves of nettle have been clinically proven to relieve allergy symptoms.”
Talk to your physician or naturopathic doctor about a possible stinging nettle protocol. Keep in mind, as previously mentioned, all herbal remedies need to build up in your system before you see results. This is why it is recommended to start herbal remedies before allergy season.
Essential Oils
In addition to an oral supplement herbal remedy for allergies, using specific essential oils can also help with symptom relief. Three recommended essential oils are:
In a study, published in Hindawi by researchers at the Department of Nursing, College of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, Republic of Korea, it was reported,
“In conclusion, the current randomized controlled trial showed that the inhalation of blended oil from Ravensara, frankincense, and sandalwood alleviated subjective symptoms, improved the disease-specific quality of life, and reduced fatigue among adult patients with PAR. This intervention also has potential for improvement in sleep quality.”
Essential oils can be bought at many pharmacy or health food stores. Be sure to get essential oils safe for topical skin use. Be careful as to not purchase oils meant for burning or as a deodorizer, these should not be used on the skin. Do not use near eyes. Put a small dab on your finger then on each inside wrist then on each inside middle neck.
These 8 herbal remedies for allergies are a great way to let nature help you heal. After all, it is nature you’re allergic to.
Sources:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18219828/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15857205/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8894011/
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