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Allergies can cause uncomfortable symptoms, including sinus pressure, nasal congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes. If you are like most individuals who suffer from allergies, you have probably tried a variety of over-the-counter medications. Unfortunately, some medicines have unpleasant side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, and blurred vision. Several natural antihistamines for allergies effectively relieve your allergy symptoms without side effects.
What Are Antihistamines?
To understand how antihistamines work, it helps to know what causes allergies. Allergies are an immune response to a harmless substance like dust, pollen, or animal dander. When exposed to an allergen, the immune system signals most cells in the mouth, throat, nose, blood, gut, lungs, or intestines to release histamines. Histamines increase blood flow to the area of the body affected by the allergen. This increase in blood flow causes inflammation to help protect the surrounding cells from the allergen.
Furthermore, histamines prompt special receptors to clear the allergen from the body. When an allergen such as pollen penetrates the nasal passages, mucus membranes elicit an increase in mucus, promoting a stuffy or runny nose and sneezing. An antihistamine blocks the effects of histamines in the body and can reduce the amount of histamine produced. Antihistamines help treat the symptoms of allergies, including hives, runny nose, congestion, cough, sneezing, and itchy, watery eyes. Below are some common natural antihistamines for allergies.
Quercetin
Quercetin is a naturally occurring flavonoid with antihistamine and anti-allergic properties. Various herbs and foods, including Ginkgo biloba, berries, green tea, and red onions, contain Quercetin. Most individuals find that Quercetin supplements better relieve their allergies than quercetin-rich foods.
Quercetin helps balance the immune system, reduce the release of histamines, and decrease inflammation. It also helps to treat the symptoms of hay fever. To maximize effectiveness, you must take Quercetin for six to eight weeks.
Astragalus
Astragalus is an Ayurvedic remedy that increases the production of interferon. Interferon suppresses most cell functions, including histamine release. Small amounts of allergens can significantly increase allergic reactions when the immune system overreacts. The individual may experience nasal congestion, a runny nose, stuffy ears, a dry cough, red, swollen eyes, and a scratchy throat. Astragalus soothes the immune system, thus reducing allergic symptoms.
Black Seed Oil
Black seed oil is a potent natural remedy that helps reduce the inflammatory response in the lungs and inhibits the release of histamine. It also helps relieve allergic rhinitis. In one study, participants placed black seed oil in their noses to relieve hay fever. After six weeks, 90 percent of the participants experienced a decrease in their hay fever symptoms, including reduced sneezing, stuffy nose, and itchy eyes, compared to 30 percent of the participants who received a placebo.
Bromelain
Bromelain is a plant enzyme found in pineapples. This powerful enzyme is also sold as a supplement and can help reduce sinus inflammation. Its anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce allergic rhinitis. Bromelain also thins mucus so that a person can breathe better during an allergic reaction.
French Maritime Pine Bark Extract
The maritime pine tree grows around the Mediterranean Sea, and its bark is beneficial as a natural remedy. Its bark improves blood flow, reduces inflammation, and stimulates the immune system. It has been used for centuries to improve respiration and relieve the many symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
Grape Seed Extract
Grape seed extract helps reduce histamine production, thereby relaxing blood vessels and relieving many symptoms of allergic rhinitis, including nasal congestion, itchy, watery eyes, sore throat, cough, rash, and itching.
Medicinal Mushrooms for Allergies
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, medicinal mushrooms may be just what the doctor ordered. Medicinal mushrooms contain triterpenes, polysaccharides, and peptidoglycan, which provide anti-inflammatory protection and immunomodulation. The two most potent mushrooms are the Chaga mushroom, which helps decrease the immune response, and the reishi mushroom, which supports respiratory health.
Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial yeasts and bacteria found in the digestive tract. They naturally boost immunity and help regulate the immune response created when an allergen enters the body. Some of the most potent probiotics for allergy sufferers include Bifidobacterium longum and Lactobacillus caseai Shirota. Combine a probiotic supplement with a diet rich in probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging nettle is a natural antihistamine used for centuries to relieve allergies and reduce inflammation. It prevents the immune signaling that causes most cells to release histamine and cause an allergic reaction. Thus, stinging nettle can help alleviate a variety of respiratory allergic symptoms.
Vitamin C
Most people know that vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that boosts immunity; however, many do not realize it is also a potent antihistamine and anti-inflammatory. Vitamin C supplements and foods rich in vitamin C (citrus fruits, bell peppers, and tomatoes) can help reduce allergic symptoms and inflammation in the body.
Benefits of Natural Antihistamines for Allergy Relief
Most people do not think about allergies until they have a flare-up. Unfortunately, once an allergic reaction begins, this is hard to manage. Taking natural antihistamines to prevent an allergic reaction in the first place is ideal for managing symptoms. For example, suppose you suffer from seasonal allergies and begin taking a natural antihistamine eight weeks before your highly reactive season. In that case, you will notice a significant reduction in your allergy symptoms.
Natural antihistamines effectively reduce allergic reactions, especially when combined with other methodologies like environmental control (regularly vacuuming, using an air purifier, mattress protectors, etc.), nasal irrigation, and acupuncture. Acupuncture treatments also help to reduce inflammation, relieve respiratory issues, reduce allergies, and regulate the immune system. Our integrative providers can help you manage and prevent unwanted symptoms from seasonal and environmental allergies.
