Although allergy season has been underway for a while, many still struggle to find relief. For some people, allergy season is year-long. In that case, a food and environmental allergy test is worth doing. Your body may also be giving you a sign that it is due for some detox!
If that is you or your loved one, discover natural allergy relief with these seven (7) powerful herbs! Unlike medications, herbs may help manage allergies long-term & reduce symptoms.
More than one-fourth of US adults and children have allergies. So, these are very common problems. Allergy is a hyper or excessive immune response to certain compounds. This excessive immune response to specific compounds causes much distress.
Allergies can be caused by different things. Some have respiratory or seasonal allergies, and others have food allergies. Allergies can also be quite complex; for example, skin eruptions may be due to an allergy to foods or when the skin comes in contact with specific allergens.
Since thousands of compounds can cause allergies, identifying the cause remains challenging. Correcting this excessive immune response is also difficult. Doctors use medications that may suppress allergic reactions, but these medications are quite harmful to health in the long run. Some of these medications, like corticosteroids, suppress immunity and have very severe side effects.
Nettle image by Paul Morley
Herbs are known to modulate immunity and, thus, immune function. Therefore, some herbals may even help get rid of allergies. Unlike medications that only suppress allergic responses, prolonged use of certain herbals may help get rid of allergies forever.
Below are some herbal remedies to consider for allergies:
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)
This lesser-known herb is good for managing respiratory allergies, especially seasonal ones. Some studies show that it could be as effective as some commonly used anti-allergic drugs without side effects like sedation (2).
It appears that butterbur can influence allergic responses in many ways. It can reduce histamine production and other chemicals involved in allergic reactions, like leukotriene. In the long run, it may even help stabilize immune cells and thus prevent future allergy episodes.
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica)
This plant grows widely in Europe and North America. It contains bioactive compounds that lower allergies and help counter inflammation.
It is perfect for reducing seasonal allergies. Studies show that it may significantly help reduce symptoms like sneezing and itching, with some reporting more than 50% reduction in their symptoms. What is incredible about this plant is that it may also work for those who do not respond well to commonly used allergy medications. Of course, unlike medications, it has tons of other health benefits, like being good for bone health (3).
Here is an Amazon link to one of my favorite nettle tinctures: https://amzn.to/3UB1vWJ (paid link).
Quercetin
It is not an herb but an organic compound found in many herbs, fruits, vegetables, apples, citrus fruits, onions, and more. It is a potent antioxidant known to modulate immunity and reduce inflammation. It is quite a popular natural supplement that is good for heart health and has anti-aging properties.
However, new studies show that it is also suitable for controlling allergies. It is good for stabilizing mast cells, which release histamine in response to allergens. Hence, its prolonged use can alter the course of various allergic diseases. Studies show that it is good not only for respiratory allergies but also for skin allergies like contact dermatitis. What is incredible about it is that some studies suggest that it is more potent than some of the expensive mast cell stabilizing medications like disodium cromoglycate (cromolyn) (4).
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Ginger is commonly added to various herbal remedies, such as lozenges, that help relieve local respiratory irritation, overcome the body’s inflammation, and more. Now, studies show that ginger is also good for overcoming allergies. Some studies show that ginger can be as effective as some of the commonly used anti-allergic medications for reducing symptoms of respiratory allergies. Moreover, ginger is relatively safe and does not cause side effects (5).
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)
This flowering plant native to North America is known to help fight respiratory viral infections and boost immunity. However, it is important to realize that it is also good for countering allergies. It helps stabilize immune cells that cause allergic reactions and thus reduce histamine release, and helps in many other ways (6).
Here is a link to one of my favorite echinacea tinctures: https://amzn.to/3UCVMQ6 (paid link).
Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
Turmeric or curcumin is now among the most popular natural supplements. It is known to have potent anti-inflammatory action. However, its prolonged use can also modulate immunity and thus help overcome severe allergies. It is also good for those with asthma, reducing allergy and inflammation (7).
Here is a link to one of my favorite turmeric tinctures: https://amzn.to/4bwc3xb (paid link).
Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
Licorice is one of the common herbals added to various remedies for respiratory ailments. It is good for respiratory infections and allergies. Clinical studies provide some sound evidence that it reduces respiratory tract irritation and lowers IgE production. It can be good for different kinds of allergies, including asthma and even skin allergies. However, it is important to ask your health provider before taking licorice if you have hypertension, as it is contraindicated for hypertension.
What To Remember
Allergies are widely prevalent. Medications can suppress allergic reactions, but they cannot cure allergies. Moreover, allergies tend to be chronic with periods of exacerbation. Prolonged use of medications causes many side effects. Hence, there is a need to consider using herbals as a part of a long-term strategy for managing various allergies. Some of these are butterbur, stinging nettles, quercetin, ginger, echinacea, turmeric, and licorice.
References
1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], (2023). More Than a Quarter of U.S. Adults and Children Have at Least One Allergy. Retrieved May 3, 2024, from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/nchs_press_releases/2022/20220126.htm
2. Schapowal A. Randomised controlled trial of butterbur and cetirizine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis. BMJ. 2002 Jan 19;324(7330):144.
3. Mount Sinai Health System [Internet]. [cited 2024 May 3]. Stinging nettle Information | Mount Sinai - New York. Available from: https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/stinging-nettle
4. Weng, Z., Zhang, B., Asadi, S., Sismanopoulos, N., Butcher, A., Fu, X., Katsarou-Katsari, A., Antoniou, C., & Theoharides, T. C. (2012). Quercetin is more effective than cromolyn in blocking human mast cell cytokine release, inhibiting contact dermatitis and photosensitivity in humans. PloS one, 7(3), e33805. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0033805
5. Yamprasert, R., Chanvimalueng, W., Mukkasombut, N., & Itharat, A. (2020). Ginger extract versus Loratadine in the treatment of allergic rhinitis: a randomized controlled trial. BMC complementary medicine and therapies, 20(1), 119. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-020-2875-z
6. Zorig, A., Toko, R., Sukhbold, E., Takasugi, M., & Arai, H. (2021). Echinacea purpurea water extracts suppress the release of chemical mediators from mast cells. Bioscience, biotechnology, and biochemistry, 85(4), 931–940. https://doi.org/10.1093/bbb/zbaa125
7. Kurup, V. P., & Barrios, C. S. (2008). Immunomodulatory effects of curcumin in allergy. Molecular nutrition & food research, 52(9), 1031–1039. https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.200700293
8. Kwon, Y. J., Son, D. H., Chung, T. H., & Lee, Y. J. (2020). A Review of the Pharmacological Efficacy and Safety of Licorice Root from Corroborative Clinical Trial Findings. Journal of medicinal food, 23(1), 12–20. https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2019.4459
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