Natural Allergy Relief

Stuffy nose, watering, itchy eyes and dry mouth — these are just a few of the annoying symptoms of seasonal allergies. For many, allergies are more than annoying; they can seriously affect the quality of life.

But treating allergies isn’t always simple. Some medications come with side effects that are nearly as annoying as the symptoms themselves, and others just don’t work as well as we might hope. These natural allergy relief options could replace or support any current treatment options.

Natural options, including quercetin, butterbur, vitamin C and probiotics, may present allergy sufferers with the opportunity to manage symptoms without medication. Additionally, these options could be used to support an existing treatment plan if care is taken to avoid interactions. Let’s take a closer look at the science behind these claims.

Quercetin

Found in foods like apples, berries and grapes, along with onions and broccoli, quercetin is a natural antihistamine. In 2016, researchers documented its effects on allergies in the journal Molecules. Specifically, this nutrient acts to reduce inflammation and affects the immune system in a way that can improve allergic responses and asthma symptoms, even among those allergic to peanuts.

In addition to loading up on foods high in quercetin, taking a 500mg supplement is also an option for individuals hoping to improve their allergy symptoms. Green teas also contain this natural allergy remedy.

Butterbur

Found in marshes, butterbur is a plant-derived supplement can be taken in pill or oil form to improve allergy symptoms. 

According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, butterbur can be safely used to improve the symptoms of hay fever. Caution: This supplement should only be taken under the direction of a healthcare provider since it can cause allergic reactions in certain individuals. 

Vitamin C

Vitamin C has been said to address the oxidative stress that plays a big role in environmental allergies, according to a 2018 study in the Journal of International Medical Research. More specifically, an antioxidant known as ascorbate keeps inflammation levels low, but individuals with allergies have been found to have low levels of ascorbate.

Taken intravenously, vitamin C was found to improve allergy symptoms in the study’s participants. At this time, giving patients a high dose of vitamin C isn’t common practice, but this research calls for clinical trials in the future. That being said, an earlier study suggested supplementing with 2 grams daily to help manage symptoms of allergies.

Probiotics

A healthy gut seems to have a widespread effect on human health and allergies are not excluded from convincing reasons to include probiotics in your diet. In 2017, researchers connected supplementation with three specific strains — lactobacillus, bifidobacterium bifidum and bifidobacterium longum — with improved quality of life for individuals suffering with allergies.

Probiotics can be purchased as a supplement and it is possible to find strain-specific choices. Adding fermented foods, like sauerkraut and kombucha, is another good way to increase dietary intake of these gut-friendly bacterias.

Allergies can be so much more than a nuisance. If your current treatment options aren’t working for you, talk with your healthcare provider about making adjustments to medications, exploring options like allergy shots, and experimenting with natural remedies until you find relief.

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