Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsVitamin CStinging NettleQuercetinCeylon CinnamonButterburBromelainProbioticsBerberineSpirulinaAlternative Treatments
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Vitamin C
Stinging Nettle
Quercetin
Ceylon Cinnamon
Butterbur
Bromelain
Probiotics
Berberine
Spirulina
Alternative Treatments
Medical treatments usually consist ofantihistaminesthat ease symptoms of an allergic reaction such as sneezing, itchiness, runny nose, and a scratchy throat. Some people find that herbal remedies, vitamins, or supplements effectively reduce this discomfort.
Research supporting alternative treatments is limited. However, the most effective natural antihistamines may be stinging nettle, vitamin C, quercetin, butterbur, bromelain, and probiotics. These all have some evidence to back their usefulness for allergy sufferers.
You may know ofvitamin C’s benefitsin shortening the duration and severity of colds, but it also has potent anti-inflammatory andantioxidanteffects. Research suggests thatinflammationis a major contributor to allergy symptoms and that the alleviation of inflammation may ease symptoms.
Moreover, taking more than 2,000 milligrams per day is generally not advised as it can lead to side effects like nausea, stomach upset, cramps, and diarrhea. High doses can also interfere with the absorption of other essential vitamins and minerals.Adding some additional vitamin C to your daily supplements, though, may offer benefits for your overall health as well as help you manage allergies. You can buy vitamin C in supplement form, or you can get it from vitamin C–rich foods like:
6 Best Vitamin C Supplements
Common AllergensCommon allergies associated withallergic rhinitis (hay fever)include:Tree pollenRagweedDust mitesMoldPet danderCockroach droppings
Common Allergens
Common allergies associated withallergic rhinitis (hay fever)include:Tree pollenRagweedDust mitesMoldPet danderCockroach droppings
Common allergies associated withallergic rhinitis (hay fever)include:
The evidence supporting the use of stinging nettle for allergies is limited. A 2017 study evaluated its effects among 37 people with hay fever who were given a daily dose of a stinging nettle supplement for one month and 37 others who were given a sham drug (placebo). At the end of the study period, the stinging nettle supplement worked no better than the placebo.
Even so, the supplement was well tolerated, and no notable side effects were reported.
You can buy stinging nettle in several forms, includingteas, tinctures, or supplements. Possible side effects included upset stomach, fluid retention, sweating, and diarrhea.
A study conducted in 2022 involving 66 subjects with seasonal allergies—half of whom were given a 200-milligram quercetin supplement and half of whom were given a placebo—reported a reduction in eye itching, sneezing, and nasal discharge after four weeks of use.
Quercetin is available as a nutritional supplement and is found in a lot of foods and herbs, including:
Side effects include headache or upset stomach. If you havekidney diseaseor are pregnant or breastfeeding, quercetin may not be safe and should be avoided.
In traditional medicine, extracts from the bark of the Cinnamomum zeylanicum, also known as Ceylon cinnamon, tree are used to treat cold symptoms and allergic reactions. This tree is also a source for one type of cinnamon spice.
The active ingredient in Ceylon cinnamon is cinnamaldehyde, which has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that may reduce inflammatory responses related to allergens.
Ceylon cinnamon can often be found at grocery or spice stores. (Be sure you choose Ceylon cinnamon and not cassia cinnamon, which is more useful when flavoring foods.) You can use the power or stick form to create a tea, add it to other beverages, or cook with it.
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)is a shrub native to Europe, parts of Asia, and North America. Since the Middle Ages, it’s been used to treat urinary tract symptoms, stomach upset, headaches, allergic rhinitis, hay fever, and other conditions.
Despite some promising benefits, it’s unclear if butterbur works as a stand-alone antihistamine or whether it should be used to offer additional support when people are taking OTC or prescription allergy medications.
Butterbur is sold in supplement, extract, or dried forms. Side effects include belching, headache, itchy eyes, diarrhea, and breathing problems.
Butterbur as a Cause of AllergySome people are allergic to butterbur and should avoid the product altogether. The risk is especially high if you haveallergies to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies.
Butterbur as a Cause of Allergy
Some people are allergic to butterbur and should avoid the product altogether. The risk is especially high if you haveallergies to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, or daisies.
Bromelainis a group of enzymes found in pineapples that may have health benefits. Historically, pineapple has been used in Central and South America to treat a variety of illnesses, including digestive disorders and sinus pain.
In fresh pineapple, the concentration of bromelain is highest in inedible parts, like the stem and core.Thus, bromelain supplements are a better source of the enzyme than eating the fruit.
Possible side effects of supplements include upset stomach and diarrhea. Bromelain may interact with certain antibiotics, includingAmoxil (amoxicillin). Do not take it if you’re being treated for a bacterial infection.
Probioticsare live bacteria and yeasts that naturally reside in your gut which are thought to be beneficial to your digestive and immune health.Recent studies suggest that they may even help with allergies.
A 2022 review of studies published found that probiotics significantly relieved symptoms and improved quality of life in adults and children with allergic rhinitis.
It is hypothesized that the normal balance of microorganisms in the digestive tract (gut microbiome) plays a key role in the immune response. An imbalance of microorganisms may lead to an abnormal immune response and the development of immune disorders like allergies.Probiotics that restore balance to the gut microbiome may ease allergic reactions.
However, there are many different probiotics used in supplements, and only a small handful may provide help with allergy symptoms.
Natural products can cause side effects and negative drug interactions. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before taking natural allergy remedies.
In traditional Chinese medicine, berberine has been used as an anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory remedy for centuries. Little research has been done on the effectiveness of berberine on allergies. And the few studies that have been published have been done on animals, not humans.
However, researchers have found some evidence that berberine may reduce inflammation that causes allergic rhinitis.
Extracted from barberry fruit, berberine is available in supplements that can be taken three times a day, once with each meal. In some people, it may cause bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.
Spirulina, a type of algae that the Aztecs allegedly used medicinally, has been shown to have similar effects as antihistamine medications such asZyrtec(cetirizine).
In one study, spirulina was shown to relieve symptoms such as sneezing, nasal congestion, runny nose, smell disturbance, and itchiness while decreasing inflammation.
The easiest way to get the benefits of spirulina is to add the powder form to smoothies, water, or other beverages. You can also mix it into foods such as guacamole or hummus.
Spirulina is usually well tolerated, but in some people, it may cause headaches, diarrhea, bloating, and gas.
Other Alternative Allergy Treatments
Many alternative products or practices are touted as natural allergy remedies. While most generally lack robust evidence to back them up, there are two that are believed to help:
These approaches may be most effective when combined with other allergy treatments, such as over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamine medications like:
First-generation antihistamines like Benadryl, Chlor-Trimeton, Dimetapp, and Tavist can cause drowsiness and may be more appropriate at night to help you sleep. Second-generation antihistamines like Allegra, Claritin, and Zyrtec are generally non-drowsy and the better option for daytime use.
If allergies are severe and neither natural nor OTC antihistamines help, speak with your healthcare provider about stronger prescription antihistamines like Clarinex (desloratadine), Vistaril (hydroxyzine), and Xyzal (levocetirizine).
Reduce Histamine in Your Diet
This isn’t related to an allergy, but to ease symptoms you may need to follow a low-histamine diet that avoids foods such as:
Summary
Common remedies include stinging nettle, vitamin C, quercetin, butterbur, bromelain, and probiotics. Some alternative practices—such as acupuncture, nasal irrigation, and exercise—may also help you manage symptoms.
Don’t stop taking antihistamine medications or start using herbal or nutritional supplements without first talking to your healthcare provider.
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