Alternative remedies and herbs for allergies are always increasing in popularity, due in part to a public more aware of pharmaceutical drug warnings and possible side effects. This isn’t to say that all herbal and homeopathic remedies are completely safe… but typically side effects and drug interactions are milder, and they can be less expensive than expensive synthetic prescription medications.
Furthermore, many people in the world have a hard time obtaining prescription allergy medications, but still want a form of medication that can stop the sniffling, sneezing, runny nose, watery eye symptoms that have to do with excess histamine in the body… A.K.A. hay fever or an allergy attack.
Fortunately, there are some herbs for allergies that are effective antihistamines. Histamine is a naturally occurring chemical in your body that your body makes to respond to what your system understands is an unknown intruder, or allergen.
Now, in rare cases of excessive histamine release, your body can go into anaphylactic shock, and hospitalization or death can result. In these situations, herbal remedies for hay fever can be too slow to act and dangerous, and it is necessary to the best thing for too much histamine: an epinephrine (adrenaline) shot.
However, for the vast majority of histamine responses to allergens, there are more mild symptoms, and include the normal responses that come with allergies. Runny nose, watery eyes, hives…etc. These normal allergy responses can be remedied effective herbs for allergies.
Nettle For Allergies – This is an herbal antihistamine. In fact, a clinical study was held in 1990 with 69 hay fever sufferers being given nettles for their allergies. over half found good benefit from the herb, and nearly half found it work on more allergy effects than the over-the-counter lab created allergy medications. More studies have been undertaken and conclude this herb works for hay fever.
Eyebright – This is an herb that is often used by homeopathic doctors for the past century. Even though lab research has not yet documented clinical, placebo controlled eyebright studies, it is known to be made up partially of flavonoids. These compounds are commonly believed to reduce histamine in membranes such as nasal and optical membranes.
Quercetin – This plant pigment has some powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. When studied in a beaker, quercetin reduces histamine levels that immune cells create. while this is not known to work the same in the human body yet, it is possible that quercetin MAY be an effective natural allergy remedy.
Now, more developed research should be conducted to corroborate the efficacy and the safety of these herbs for allergies. Furthermore, it is crucial you speak with a doctor or herbal professional before using these 3 natural remedies for allergies. A woman pregnant or nursing shouldn’t use any medicine, natural or man-made without specific advise from a pediatrician. However, for people who need an effective, natural allergy remedy these three can be just what knocks your hay fever out! =]
Tags: allergens, allergies, allergy medication, allergy medicine, allergy relief, alternative medicine, health, herbal remedies, home remedies, natural remedies, remedies for allergies