Get Some Help This Allergy Season

By Author: Dr. Victor Marchione
Total Articles: 90
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Now that spring is in full bloom, many will find that along with the warmer weather, comes allergy season. It’s great to see leaves on the trees and flowers brightening gardens, but unfortunately, pollens and other allergens can create some chronic, irritating symptoms that can put a damper on your well-being.
You might resort to grabbing some allergy medication from the pharmacy, but why not consider some alternative treatments and see if they can’t offer some relief without the common side effects of antihistamines? Here are five remedies to try next time you suffer from an allergy attack.

1. Butterbur
A member of the daisy family, butterbur (Petasites hybridus) can also be called blatterdock, bog rhubarb, bogshorns, butterdock, butterfly dock, capdockin, flapperdock, langwort and umbrella leaves.
Used in the past to relieve spasms and pain in the urinary tract, in addition to easing muscle cramps, it is now being used to relieve symptoms of allergies, such as hay fever. “Petasins,” which ...
... are extracted from butterbur, bind to “histamine.” It is the release of histamines that cause allergic reactions.
A study that was done in Scotland concluded that there was no significant difference between butterbur and “fexofenadine” (the active ingredient in “Allegra”) when treating allergic rhinitis.1 Another study determined that butterbur protected patients against grass and pollen allergens.2 According to a report in the British Medical Journal, participants in a study who were taking butterbur experienced the same effects as when taking “cetirizine” (“Zyrtec”), but without the drowsiness.3
The typical dose is 50 milligrams (mg) twice a day with food. Some recommend taking the supplement for about four to six months, then slowly tapering off. One note of caution: butterbur that contains “pyrrolizidine alkaloids” must be avoided (look for labels that state unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids) as these are toxic to your liver and kidneys.

2. Quercetin
Quercitin is a “bioflavonoid” that is found in foods and drinks. It is a natural antioxidant that could prevent free-radical damage. Researchers think that this bioflavonoid may be able to stop your immune cells from releasing histamine — the chemical that triggers your body’s defense mechanisms against allergens. This automatic defense system causes the symptoms of sneezing, itching and swelling.
Quercitin has been used to combat hay fever. Because quercitin is not a required nutrient, there isn’t a recommended dietary intake. Therapeutically, you can take between 200 mg and 400 mg of quercetin three times daily.
Available in pill and tablet form, quercitin supplements don’t always absorb well. Look for a form called “chalcone,” and try taking it on an empty stomach.
If you think that taking supplements may not be the ideal way to go, look for foods that are high in quercetin. It is found in red wine, black and green tea and these fruits and vegetables: apples, raspberries, red grapes, citrus fruits, cherries, onions, leafy salad greens and broccoli.
Quercetin isn’t known to interact with any pharmaceuticals. Side effects from taking quercetin are rare, but they can include headache and tingling in the extremities. Pregnant women should probably avoid the supplement because it’s been linked (very loosely) to increasing the risk of infant leukemia.

3. Nettle
This perennial plant may have ingredients that attach to your histamines, preventing them from hitting the cells of your body during an allergic reaction. Nettle also contains quercitin, which works against histamine production.
It is a strong anti-inflammatory that may be particularly helpful for those with “rhinitis” (inflammation in the mucus membrane of the nose). Nettle can also act as a natural decongestant.
A 1990 double-blind study found that stinging nettle helped relieve sneezing, eye irritation and other allergy symptoms because of its ability to reduce inflammation. After one week, almost 60% of study participants had reduced allergy symptoms.4

4. Peppermint
By drinking tea that contains peppermint oil, allergy sufferers could help relieve nasal congestion. The menthol not only helps relieve congestion, but it could ease your breathing, as well.
This oil is found in many over-the-counter cough remedies and decongestants. Commonly thought of as an effective remedy for upset stomach, peppermint also has proven to be quite useful in the struggle against allergies, particularly when it comes to being stuffed up.
A 2001 study on rats found that when they were given a peppermint-leaf extract, their nasal blockages were significantly reduced.5

5. Vitamin C
This wonder drug seems to be the cure for just about everything these days. Not only is it an immune-booster, but studies have shown that vitamin C may also serve as an antihistamine. In a recent Italian study, patients were exposed to an allergen, then given two grams of vitamin C or placebo. Those who took the vitamin C improved in an hour, while those who took placebo did not.6
You need vitamin C in your diet every day, as your body cannot produce it. For people over 19 years of age, the recommended intake is 90 mg for males and 75 mg for females. If you smoke, you require an additional 35 mg per day.
It is better to get your vitamin C intake from food, rather than supplements, as there are additional nutrients in the foods that the supplements do not provide.
Diarrhea is a known side effect if you take a large dosage of vitamin C, in addition to copper deficiency or increased iron absorption. Speak to your doctor about an appropriate dosage for treating your allergies.

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