Sneezing, wheezing, runny nose, and itchy, watery, red eyes -- these are just some of the symptoms that more than 35 million Americans face each year as the pollen from trees, grass, flowers, and plants makes it way into the air. For many, relief is just a drugstore counter away -- with a wide array of traditional medications available to help. However, for an increasing number of allergy sufferers the road to relief is best paved by Mother Nature, with a variety of all-natural treatments that studies show can help -- often without many of the troubling side effects ascribed to traditional care.
For centuries, our ancestors used herbs to try to control the symptoms so common in allergies and asthma, such as runny nose and wheezing. In fact, some present-day prescription medications have their roots in these old herbal remedies. Modern practitioners of alternative medicine say that many herbs have a place in the prevention and treatment of diseases and conditions. The following herbs are purported to be useful in the management of allergies.
Butterbur is an herb native to northern temperate regions. It's also known as blatterdock, bog rhubarb, bogshorns, butter-dock, butterfly dock and petasites. A study published January 2002 in the British Medical Journal found that butterbur may be as effective as cetirizine (Zyrtec) — a prescription antihistamine — at reducing runny nose, sneezing, and itchy nose and eyes. The study also showed that those who used the butterbur experienced less drowsiness — a troublesome side effect of many antihistamines — than did those who used cetirizine.
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is an altered form of the non-essential amino acid cysteine, which is commonly found in food and synthesized by the body. NAC helps the body synthesize glutathione, an important antioxidant. N-acetylcysteine is recommended at 200mg three times per day for allergies. Pantothenic acid supplementation may reduce allergic reactions, especially allergic rhinitis. Pantothenic acid is quite effective in treating nasal congestion caused by allergy.
Plants high in bioflavonoids such as quercetin and curcuma (rose hips, bilberry) are especially useful because they reduce your body's production of histamines or leukotrienes (substances that cause allergy symptoms) and strengthen connective tissue. Quercetin appears to stabilize the membranes of the mast cells that release histamine. Since quercetin's action is preventive, it is best taken daily a week or two before pollen season and continued throughout.
In addition to herbs, many naturopathic doctors also believe certain nutrients can be helpful in quieting seasonal symptoms. Among the most popular are grape seed extract and a flavonoid compound known as quercetin. Although both occur naturally in many foods -- and are especially abundant in red wine -- when used in supplement form they can be extremely helpful in reducing allergy symptoms, particularly in conjunction with vitamin C.
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