Using Herbs, Phytochemicals and Vitamins to Soothe Your Allergies This Season

 

If you are one of the lucky few that doesn’t suffer from seasonal allergies, consider yourself, well lucky!!  I myself have had allergy problems since before I can  remember, and trust me I have gone through just about everything there is to treat them.  Personally, the only relief I’ve found and felt good about using is in Complementary Medicine, be it, herbs, diet, or acupuncture.  My allergies, unfortunately are not only seasonal but a vague anomaly that continues year round for a laundry list of reasons of which I am never sure of.  Fortunately, dealing with your personal health and testing new ideas on yourself is a great learning tool, and one day hopefully I will have squashed all my allergy problems and live an itch free life.

I recently came across an article published in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology reviewing CAM’s history in treating various ailments of the immune system, including asthma, allergic rhinitis and dermatitis through the use of Vitamins, Herbs and Phytochemicals.  If you are looking for some hope in a prescription drug free world of allergy treatment, check out the research.  Some highlights of the research include:

Vitamin D:  It has long been said that Vitamin D plays a vital role in your overall health, this article just reinforces the importance that Vitamin D plays in our immune system and how it can be a crucial part of dealing with allergies of any kind.

Vitamin E:  Has been shown to decrease mast cell production, thereby relieving an allergic response.

Vitamin A:  Has been shown to increase antibody production.

Vitamin C:  Is an important mediator in the immune response.

Magnolol:  As far as phytochemicals go, Magnolol is polyphenol found in plants that plays a part in the immune reaction, lending an inhibitory effect that reduces the allergic reaction.

Quercetin:  Found in cherries, Quercetin plays the same sort of inhibitory role in the cascade of events causing an allergic reaction and effects the production of mast cells.

Resveratrol:  Found in grape skins, it’s a powerful antioxidant that has been shown to have anti-cancer effects, it plays a role in alleviating the stress response that can be an instigator in the allergy response.

Ma Huang (or Ephedra):  Which has recently been taken off the market is a great herb in the treatment of asthma and has unfortunately been misused as a diet drug and energy enhancer due to its amphetime-like effects.

As far as using these substances clinically in the treatment of allergies, there is SO much information in the article that I could hardly paraphrase any one part of it in one page, but if you are looking for specific info regarding Atopic Dermatitis, Allergic Rhinitis or Asthma, please read the article, there is quite a bit of good information in there and natural substances that are worth taking a look at.  For example, some of the remedies they review are as follows:

In treating Atopic Dermatitis, Evening Primrose, Essential Fatty Acids, Rumex japonicus Houtt  & Actinidia arguta are a few of the herbal remedies found to have positive effects.

For Allergic Rhinitis, Butterbur is worth mentioning as finding similar test results as the use of Fexafenadine a prescription medicine commonly prescribed for allergies.  Citrus unshiu also showed positive results in treating seasonal allergies.  Likewise, dietary products like grape seed extract, tomato extract, dietary spirulina, and cellulose powder have been suggested for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

As far as Chinese Herbal Formulas are concerned Bhu-zong-yi-qi-tang is shown to have efficacious results when treating both allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis as well as Shi-Bi-Lin, another formula.

Also worth mentioning are a couple of other homeopathic remedies, including Apis Mel, which is helpful in acute cases for hives, bee stings and other insect bites and Histaminum which is helpful in the case of nasal congestion, hay fever, insect bites, eczema, and even food allergies.  One that has been super useful for me when I’m having an acute reaction is Quantum AllerCleanse a Botanical Supplement produced by Premier Research  Labs.

So, take control of your health this allergy season and look into these great natural remedies!  I know some of these have done wonders for me in helping to relieve my allergy symptoms throughout the years and I hope you too can benefit as well!

Source:  Mainardi, Timothy, MD, MS, Kapoor, Simi, MD, Bielory, Leonard, MD, ( Feb. 2009)  Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Herbs, Phytochemicals and Vitamins and Their Immunologic Effects.  The Journal of Allergy & Clinical Immunology, 123 (2), 283-294 

About eresko

I am a licensed Acupuncturist and NCCAOM Board certified Diplomat of Oriental Medicine. I live in Hailey, Idaho, where I have an Acupuncture practice, Erin Hill Acupuncture as well as a type of Integrative Wellness Care practice, Tune Up. I am also a Level I & II certified Kettlebell Instructor and teach private classes in the Wood River Valley, Idaho. I have been very active in sports and athletics since I can remember. I received my BS in Integrative Physiology at the University of Colorado @ Boulder. In my practice I utilize all modalities to help get you where you want to be, whether with Acupuncture, Nutrition, or Kettlebell training. I am well versed in treating Sports specific conditions; pain, injuries, strains & sprains and use my knowledge of the body both from a Chinese Medical standpoint and a traditional Western one; a concept that most of my patients are familiar with. In addition, I incorporate my knowledge of the physical body & how we move, where restrictions, pain, or tightness may reside and how that, in turn, affects the internal organs or vice versa. For each individual that walks through my door, I am able to assess what each person needs as far as therapy to achieve their goals. Each person is different, inside and out and treatments should reflect that. Among my modalities, I use Acupuncture, Chinese Herbs, Tuina (a type of Chinese bodywork), Japanese style Acupuncture, Moxibustion, Nutrition, and Lifestyle coaching as well as my Kettlebell training for rehab and for improving one's fitness level.
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9 Responses to Using Herbs, Phytochemicals and Vitamins to Soothe Your Allergies This Season

  1. Fitness Gal says:

    I have found relief from my allergies by taking a liquid multivitamin called Vemma. I have never been able to be near cats because I would have extreme allergies from them. After only 2 months on the product, I found that I could stand to be in the same room with one and no reaction! I didnt really expect results like this but was excited about the difference in how I feel. If anyone is interested, you can read more info on the Vemma at http://www.dorindaw.vemma.com I hope it helps someone

  2. Best of luck for your itch free life…

    Yes!! Herbal medicines are very much effective and non dangerous in compare to alopathy medicines (chemicals). Herbal and Homeopathy medicines cure the diseases (allergy or what so ever)from the root, so that it never happnes again.

    This is slow & long process, yet very effective.

    Thanks
    Oliver

    • Erin says:

      Yes, very effective! I should actually post on my updated status as an eczema-free, happy and rested being! So far this is the longest time running that I have been rash, eczema and itch free since I can remember, so stay tuned! Thanks for reading!
      Erin

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  4. Ash-P says:

    Another noon-medicine-solution is to wear a mask when I sense there is “something in the air” that may cause an attack. I am quite sensitive to different smell and will pull out my portable mask before it is too late. Many disposable N95 mask does not fit my face and I found a Totobobo mask (totobobo.com) which fits very well.

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