Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines like Zyrtec (cetirizine) and Claritin (loratadine) can help reduce allergy symptoms like itching, runny nose, sneezing, cough, flushing, nasal congestion, and pain. These medications may have side effects. Using natural options may be a good alternative to help manage allergies.
Vitamin C is well known for reducing how long cold symptoms last and their severity. Research suggests it may also lower the body’s response to histamine. Histamine is a chemical your body releases in response to an allergen, a substance that triggers allergy symptoms.
Taking vitamin C may improve or reduce:
Further research is needed to determine the effectiveness of vitamin C in managing allergies.
If you’re considering taking vitamin C supplements for your allergies, be sure to limit your intake to no more than 2000 milligrams daily. Higher doses of vitamin C can lead to stomach upset, diarrhea, or, in rare cases, kidney stones.
You can also find vitamin C in fruits and vegetables, such as citrus fruits like oranges and lemons, as well as broccoli, strawberries, and cantaloupe.
Black pepper is one of the most commonly used spices. It contains piperine, which may help with allergy symptoms and inflammation.
Black pepper can also cause a cough, trigger asthma symptoms in people with the condition, or worsen allergy symptoms if the person has a black pepper allergy.
Quercetin is a plant pigment found in foods like onions, green tea, broccoli, apples, and berries that give them their color. Quercetin extracts are a major ingredient in many anti-allergy supplements.
Quercetin may help relieve allergies by blocking the release of histamine and decreasing cytokines, which are proteins that cause inflammation. These properties may make quercetin useful for managing allergy symptoms in atopic dermatitis (a skin condition) and allergic rhinitis (hay fever).
You can safely take up to one gram of quercetin daily for about three months. However, it’s uncertain at this time if consuming higher doses or taking them for longer than three months is safe.
Butterbur is a marsh plant, which is a type of plant that grows in wet environments. Traditional medicine has long used it to treat wounds, coughs, and asthma. Today, it can be found in supplements promoted to manage migraines and allergic rhinitis.
Research suggests that butterbur is a safe and effective option for people with seasonal allergic rhinitis. It may also be just as effective as antihistamines, such as Claritin (loratadine), Zyrtec, and Allegra (fexofenadine).
Raw, unprocessed butterbur contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), a substance that may cause liver and lung damage and certain cancers. If you try it, make sure to use processed butterbur that’s certified PA-free.
Butterbur supplements may not be suitable for everyone. If you’re allergic to plants like ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and daisies, you may want to avoid butterbur as it could trigger an allergic reaction.
Stinging nettle is a plant used by herbal practitioners to manage arthritis and encourage blood flow to the joints or legs. Herbal practitioners, or herbalists, are healthcare professionals who use plants and herbal remedies to treat certain conditions and support overall wellness.
Research suggests that using stinging nettle supplements with other routine allergic rhinitis treatments together may decrease the severity of allergy symptoms significantly. This is because stinging nettle can block the release of histamine and reduce inflammation.
Other research is mixed on whether or not stinging nettles can actually manage allergic rhinitis or if it’s a placebo effect. A placebo effect is when someone is given a medicine they believe will help relieve symptoms, but any positive results are based on their thoughts rather than the medicine they’re taking.
If you want to try stinging nettle, you can find it in commercial forms like capsules, tablets, or solutions. Avoid using raw fresh stinging nettle leaves, as they can trigger an allergic reaction or skin irritation.
Bromelain is a substance found in pineapples that is well known for lowering inflammation. Bromelain may help reduce allergic reactions, especially symptoms that affect breathing and the nasal passages.
Bromelain may help reduce the thickness of mucus, a fluid that lines areas like the nose, mouth, throat, and lungs, making it easier to cough up when you have conditions like sinusitis (sinus infection). More research is necessary to determine if taking oral bromelain to manage allergies is effective.
Bromelain is generally well tolerated. However, you may experience side effects like an upset stomach and diarrhea.
Spirulina is a blue-green alga, a plant-like organism that mainly lives in water. It may help with inflammation, balance the immune system, and prevent histamine release from mast cells, which are white blood cells that play an important role in allergic reactions.
Taking spirulina may significantly improve allergy symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, and itching. According to some studies, spirulina may be more effective than Zytrec for improving allergic rhinitis symptoms.
One potential downside of spirulina is that you may need to take higher doses for it to work. Generally, you need about two grams of spirulina daily, or four capsules.
Probiotics may provide allergy relief, depending on the strain. Studies show that probiotic strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium spp can help reduce inflammation caused by allergens and histamine production. Probiotics may help with allergies by providing a more balanced gut. This may limit damage caused by inflammation and lead to less severe reactions to allergens.
Despite their benefit in allergic reactions, probiotics should be used with other therapies for better allergy relief. Several factors can cause allergies, aside from gut-related conditions. Additionally, not all probiotic strains are beneficial for allergy relief. Strains like Lactobacillus saerimneri may raise histamine production, which would worsen allergy symptoms.
Ceylon cinnamon, also known as true cinnamon, may help reduce allergic inflammation and is currently promoted for allergic rhinitis relief.
In animal studies, Ceylon cinnamon reduced inflammation in the airways, the tubes that carry air to and from the lungs, caused by allergen exposure. More human studies are necessary to confirm its use in treating allergies.
Cinnamon is generally safe. However, using them in larger amounts or for long periods of time can increase your risk of side effects like an upset stomach or allergic reactions.
If you want to try cinnamon supplements for allergy relief, be sure to purchase Ceylon cinnamon itself, not cassia cinnamon or other types. Ceylon cinnamon contains less coumarin, which can be toxic to the liver compared to cassia cinnamon.
Ginger is another widely used spice. It’s popular for treating colds, and its roots may help relieve allergy symptoms. This is because ginger contains gingerol, a substance that lowers inflammation. According to some research, ginger may also be more effective for relieving a runny nose than certain OTC medicines.
Natural antihistamines may have fewer side effects than OTC options, such as drowsiness and fatigue.
These holistic remedies may also have other health benefits besides allergy relief, such as boosting the immune system, preventing cell damage, and reducing overall inflammation.
Natural antihistamines shouldn’t replace your allergy medications without first speaking to a healthcare provider, especially if you have severe allergies. This is because they may not be strong enough to replace conventional treatments, and there isn’t enough current research to support using natural antihistamines as a substitute.
Natural doesn’t mean completely safe. Holistic antihistamines should only be used as recommended or as labeled to avoid a potential overdose. These supplements may also interact with other medications and may not be suitable for everyone. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider before using any natural antihistamines if:
- You’re pregnant or planning to be pregnant
- You have chronic (long-term) health conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure (hypertension)
- You’re taking other medications
- You have a history of severe allergic reactions or anaphylaxis, a potentially life-threatening allergic reaction)
Aside from natural antihistamine supplements, other ways you can manage your allergies include:
- Remove any allergens from your home, such as molds, plant pollens, and dust mites
- Use a saline nasal spray to flush out your nose
- Consider using an air filter to reduce airborne allergens
- Stay inside on dry, windy days, if you can
- Mop and vacuum regularly
Natural antihistamines like vitamin C, black pepper, and butterbur can help reduce allergy symptoms by stopping histamine release. Not all studies agree on the effectiveness in treating allergies, especially severe allergic reactions. If you have a severe allergy, you shouldn’t replace your prescribed medication with natural options.
If you’re worried about side effects, please talk to your healthcare provider about alternatives. Other ways to manage allergies without conventional treatment include minimizing exposure to allergens as much as you can inside and outside your home.
