The beauty of spring with its budding trees and fragrant blossoms means only one thing to millions of allergy sufferers — a return of the pollen wafting on the warm breezes that trigger watery, itchy eyes and runny noses.
Depending on the area of the United States you live in, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, the pollen, grass, and mold that cause spring allergies can begin as early as February and extend into summer.
If springtime brings you allergy misery, you don't always have to reach for an over-the-counter antihistamine. Consider these natural remedies that can provide effective relief:
• Green tea. A Japanese study published in the
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found that the antioxidant EGCG (methylated epigallocatechin gallate) in green tea blocks the production of histamine and also cuts the production of immunoglobulin E, both of which trigger allergy symptoms.
"Green tea appears to be a promising source for effective anti-allergenic agents," said study leader Hirofumi Tachibana, an associate professor of chemistry at Kyushu University in Fukuoka, Japan. "If you have allergies, you should consider drinking it."
• Butterbur. A Swiss study published in the
British Medical Journal found that one tablet four times a day (32 mg total) of this European herb relieved hay fever symptoms as effectively as the drug cetirizine, the active component of Zyrtec, with none of the drowsiness. Another study compared butterbur to Allegra with similar results. (Caution: Do not combine a drug for allergy relief with butterbur — you may overdose.)
• Quercetin. This antioxidant is found in many fruits and vegetables, including apples and onions, and it acts as an anti-inflammatory that helps quell allergic symptoms. A double-blind, placebo-controlled Japanese study found that taking quercetin daily for eight weeks significantly reduced itching and irritation of the eyes in people with pollen allergies.
Other studies have found that quercetin reduces the amount of histamine produced by and released from cells. Some experts recommend as much as 1,000 mg daily.
• Stinging nettle. In a double-blind trial published in
Planta Medica, 57 percent of patients found the herb was better at reducing the sneezes and sniffles of allergy than a placebo. Researchers believe the herb reduces the amount of histamine the body produces in response to an allergen, such as pollen. Experts recommend 600 to 1,200 mg of dried extract daily.
• Acupuncture. A study published in the
American Journal of Chinese Medicine found that acupuncture reduced the hay fever symptoms of all 26 study participants. Another study found that acupuncture eliminated allergy symptoms in more than half of participants after only two treatments.
• Fish oil. A study published in the journal
American Review of Respiratory Diseases found that the omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil, which are potent anti-inflammatories, reduced the symptoms of asthmatics who were sensitive to pollen. Fish oil lowered the levels of leukotrienes, chemicals that help promote allergic reactions.
• Honey. Honey made from flowers and plants in your area may help "immunize" your body against pollen allergens. Consider adding one to three teaspoons of locally produced raw honey to your daily diet. A study published in the
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology found that patients with diagnosed birch pollen allergy who ate honey that included birch pollen reduced their symptoms by 60 percent, experienced 70 percent fewer days with severe symptoms, and used 50 percent fewer antihistamines.