For many, learning how to get rid of seasonal allergies has become a priority. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, more than 50 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. Seasonal allergies can cause:
- itchy watery eyes
- sneezing
- runny nose
- nasal congestion
- stuffy ears
- postnasal drip
- wheezing
- fatigue
And while we typically think of seasonal allergies as a springtime event, allergy sufferers – especially children – know seasonal allergies can occur in the spring, fall, and even year round with indoor allergens such as pet dander, mold, and dust mites.
Knowing how to get rid of seasonal allergies may seem challenging. How to help a child with seasonal allergies naturally, as well as adult allergy sufferers, is possible with the right diet and supplements.
Americans spend over eight billion dollars a year on various treatments for their allergy symptoms. Both prescription and over-the-counter medications come with side effects that can cause drowsiness, fatigue, headaches and low blood pressure. Breathing medications can also rob your body of folic acid, iodine and other minerals while also interfering with your body’s production of melatonin. Allergy sufferers can go from being tired during the day to wired at night. Even more scary is long-term use of a popular, over-the-counter antihistamine is associated with an increased risk of dementia.
If you suffer from indoor or seasonal allergies, there are many natural approaches you may want to try.
5 Herbs and Other Natural Remedies for Allergy Symptom Relief
Yakriton
Yakriton is a naturally occurring liver extract that was discovered in the 1920s. Yakriton enhances the liver’s ability to filter out toxins. Think of it as a substance that revs up the liver’s ability to detox.
Your body responds to seasonal or indoor allergies by releasing histamines: smooth muscles contract and restrict blood flow to the lungs. Yakriton’s ability to improve blood flow through the liver helps the body clear this histamine reaction resulting in clear sinuses and better breathing.
Stinging Nettle
This herb is well-known for its ability to act against hay fever symptoms. Nettle signals immune cells to stop releasing histamines that trigger allergy symptoms. Nettle is non-drowsy and non-habit forming. It also does not try out nasal passages but does help stop runny noses.
Quercetin
This herb has been used by natural health care practitioners for hundreds of years. Quercetin is a polyphenol (a food chemical with health benefits) found in onions, broccoli, apples, grapes and berries. It has risen in popularity over the last two years due to its ability to help move zinc into a cell to aid in an immune response to viruses.
However, quercetin has long been used for seasonal issues like itchy, watery eyes and runny nose. Quercetin inhibits histamine release, which can help clear watery eyes and dry up sinuses. It has also been found to work better than Cromolyn, a prescription used to treat symptoms of mastocytosis and allergies.
Butterbur
Butterbur is a plant native to Europe, Africa and Asia. While commonly used for headaches, bronchial asthma and migraines, butterbur has also been studied for seasonal allergies. In fact, butterbur was found to work just as well as commonly used Zyrtec without the side effects of drowsiness, dry mouth or stomach pain.
Perilla
Is an herb from the mint family used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for seasonal allergy relief. Perilla contains a high amount of rosmarinic acid which is thought to be the active ingredient used to help curb a histamine release. Studies have shown 50 mg to 200 mg or rosmarinic acid reduced symptoms of runny nose and watery, red eyes.
Professional Picks
If you’re wondering how to get rid of seasonal allergies and how to help a child with seasonal allergies naturally, these dietary supplements may be worth trying:
Allerplex by Standard Process
Allerplex by Standard Process is a unique blend of ingredients, including yakriton, stinging nettle, and quercetin, designed to help maintain a healthy histamine response and provide relief from allergy symptoms.
AllerBreez Immune Support by Zahler
Another excellent option is AllerBreez Immune Support by Zahler, which contains butterbur and perilla, among other natural ingredients, to help manage seasonal discomfort and support overall immune function. These targeted formulas may be particularly helpful for those looking to take a proactive approach to managing their allergy symptoms.
Boiron AllergyCalm Kids Allergy Relief
How to help a child with seasonal allergies naturally may depend on their symptoms. You can start by trying these non-drowsy meltable pellets designed with homeopathic ingredients. Children ages 2 to 11 years can take AllergyCalm Kids Allergy Relief by Boiron to relieve hay fever and upper respiratory allergy symptoms.
Summary
There are several natural approaches that can help alleviate the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Yakriton, a liver extract, can improve blood flow and help clear histamine reactions. Stinging nettle acts against hay fever symptoms by signaling immune cells to stop releasing histamines. Quercetin, a polyphenol found in various fruits and vegetables, inhibits histamine release and can work better than some prescription medications. Butterbur has been found to be as effective as Zyrtec without the side effects, and perilla contains rosmarinic acid which can help curb histamine release.
Herbal remedies and animal glandulars can alleviate allergy symptoms. Proactively, herbs can be started about 2 weeks before a typical allergy season begins to help block symptoms from occurring. Before trying a new supplement, consult with a medical professional. By taking a natural approach to managing seasonal and indoor allergies, you may be able to find relief without the side effects associated with prescription and over-the-counter medications.
Sources:
- https://doi:10.1503/cmaj.1150066
- https://dx.doi.org/10.3390%2Fmolecules21050623
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22470478/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15611396/
- https://doi.org/10.1177%2F153537020422900305
