Natural Treatments for Allergies

Whilst there are many allergy medicines on the market, some people prefer nondrug, natural allergy treatments. In this article, we look at some of the natural treatments available for allergy sufferers.

Plant and Mushroom Based Natural Allergy Treatments

Some of the most popular allergy treatments are made from plants. For example, a mixture of crushed poppy seeds and lime juice is said to be an effective treatment for skin allergies. Butterbur contains the same antihistamine that is found in Zyrtec, but unlike Zyrtec, does not cause drowsiness. Another natural antihistamine is the stinging nettle. Since the sting of a nettle works by injecting histamines into the skin with their barbs, then freeze dried extracts of stinging nettle work on the homeopathic principle to inhibit the body's ability to produce histamines. 300 milligrams a day is usually sufficient to provide short term allergy relief.

The reishi mushroom is sometimes touted as a natural allergy treatment, though clinical trials are lacking. This mushroom, native to East Asia but grown commercially in North America too, is said to reduce inflammation resulting from allergies, including asthma. It is used as an anti-inflammatory in traditional Chinese medicine, proponents of which also claim that it improves respiratory function. These statements, as the traditional disclaimer goes, have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, so proceed at your own risk.

Other Natural Allergy Treatments

Not all natural allergy treatments are derived from plants or fungi. One increasingly popular allergy treatment is the neti pot. These little pots have been used in India for centuries, and are now widely available in the US. The principle is simple. The pot is filled with lukewarm salt water, which is then inhaled to wash pollen and other allergens out of the sinuses. Used twice daily using the hay fever season, it can provide effective relief from allergy symptoms.

A rather more hi-tech solution to allergy problems is acupuncture using a cold laser. This laser stimulates the acupuncture points and, so the theory goes, releases the flow of energy that is blocked by the allergens. Studies on the use of acupuncture to treat allergies have shown little benefit to adults, though some improvement has been reported in children.

The role of diet in treating allergies should also not be overlooked. A study by German scientists published in the journal Allergy showed that foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as oily fish and walnuts, helped fight allergies. Of course, if you are actually allergic to nuts and seafood, that knowledge probably won't be much help!