Treat Seasonal Allergies Naturally with These 10 Amazing Herbs

​If you are like me and suffer from seasonal allergies, you are already starting to feel its misery. Itchy eyes, sneezing, mucus buildup, and congestion are just a few allergy symptoms that have so many of us pleading for an ounce of relief. I do not know about you but for me the worse symptom I must deal with is vertigo, ugh! My issues are caused by mucus getting in my ears and inflammation, both trigger vertigo that can go on for hours at a time!

Hay fever is often seasonal, but if you are constantly exposed to an offending substance (e.g., pet dander or certain foods), your immune system can be compromised, and symptoms can last year-round.

Fortunately, some herbs help ease the discomfort of seasonal allergies. I have had tremendous success relieving allergy symptoms using the following Herbs in my allergy formulas:

• Black Elderberry evidence suggests that chemicals in elderflower and berries may help reduce swelling in mucous membranes, including the sinuses, and help relieve nasal congestion. Elderberry may have anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-influenza, and anticancer properties

• Stinging nettle may reduce or eliminate the sneezing and itching caused by hay fever, it seems that the herb can reduce the amount of histamine the body releases from mast cells in response to an allergen.

• Goldenrod (often mistaken with ragweed) is an herb which helps the body eliminate excess mucus. Goldenrod also contains high levels of the anti-inflammatory constituent quercetin, which, can help alleviate the symptoms of allergies.

• Ginkgo has been shown to have a significant effect on managing allergies and asthma. Ginkgo is anti-inflammatory and contains seven antihistamines, which make this an effective way to get relief from allergy symptoms. Ginkgo also has been shown in studies to be effective in relieving allergies, asthma attacks, and other lung problems

• Eyebright provides a natural antihistamine-like action that can potentially ease symptoms associated with hay fever and seasonal allergies, including eye irritation. 

• Licorice root has a soothing effect and helps to reduce irritation of the respiratory system.

• Lobelia Helps clear a stuffy nose, soothes irritated lungs and is antispasmodic. Therefore, it also helps the bronchial tubes relax, stimulating breathing and loosening phlegm. A word of caution, lobelia’s subsequent action is as an emetic (a substance that induces vomiting), so be careful not to use too much of it.

• Butterbur is one of the herbs most researched to treat season allergies and studies have found butterbur comparable to common allergy medications like Zyrtec and Allegra. Butterbur can be used symptomatically for occasional symptoms and daily in chronic allergies.

• Turmeric is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, supports the liver and immune health, and it has also been shown to kill cancer cells and suppress tumor growth. As for allergies, the curcumin in turmeric has been shown to block the cells from releasing histamine. It also can remove excess mucus and reduce the inflammation from the respiratory tract.

• In recent years, research has shown rosemary's ability to help fight allergy symptoms. According to a study, this herb contains rosmarinic acid, has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. The study also reports that rosmarinic acid is a free radical scavenger that can suppress the inflammatory responses of specific white blood cells, as well as allergic antibodies. So in a similar way as turmeric, rosemary can help alleviate allergy symptoms.

Thank God for these herbs or I would not be able to get through the allergy season without experiencing several episodes of vertigo. There are other herbs used like horehound, mullein, horseradish, and wasabi to treat symptoms, but I have found the herbs mentioned above to be the most effective to both prevent and treat symptoms. Remember, herbs DO work and are highly effective if you know how to use them and extract them correctly. So work in conjunction with a qualified herbalist to treat your seasonal allergies.

From a holistic point of view, allergies are often associated with weak adrenal, overactive immune system, and digestive functions. Therefore, I also recommend not only an herbal supplement that includes some of the herbs mentioned above but also taking herbal supplements used to support and improve the health of these body systems. 

You can take these herbs during the allergy season. However, for best results to treat seasonal allergies, begin herbal supplements 1–2 months before the season starts. This can not only help reduce the severity of symptoms, but in some cases, I have seen people not have symptoms at all during allergy season. 

​Good health is the most crucial element to help ease allergy symptoms, and good health starts with nutrition. That is why in next week’s post I will be focusing on the foods that can help minimize allergy symptoms. However, it is worth noting that people susceptible to airborne allergens may also be sensitive to certain foods. Identifying and removing those foods from the diet can significantly improve health and reduce allergy symptoms. This is best accomplished by an elimination diet.

Until next week,
​Toni