Relieve Allergies Naturally: Tips and Remedies
For seasonal allergy sufferers, spring can mean itchy eyes, a runny nose, a stuffy throat, and a general feeling of complete misery.
While many people resort to over-the-counter allergy medications, you may be surprised to learn that nature offers effective allergy solutions. Many people prefer more natural solutions for allergy relief due to the potential for a reduced risk of side effects and an appreciation for a more holistic lifestyle.
Here are 6 natural compounds that can help you relieve allergies naturally.
Vitamins that can reduce allergy symptoms
Vitamins play a vital role in maintaining overall body health, from promoting healthy growth to glowing skin and strong nails. Research suggests that vitamins C and D can also reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies.
Vitamin C
Vitamin CVitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, is an essential nutrient that the body uses for many processes, from making collagen to supporting the immune system. Vitamin C can also help relieve allergies.
Vitamin C can prevent mast cells from releasing histamine into the body. Mast cells are immune cells that help protect the body against pathogens. When confronted with foreign invaders, mast cells release certain molecules, such as heparin and histamine, into the bloodstream and body tissues. Histamine is one of the main molecules that can cause allergy symptoms such as itching, sneezing, and swelling.
Studies suggest that vitamin C may help prevent the release of histamine in response to allergens.
A clinical study focused on the effect of vitamin C on histamine levels in 89 patients. The study included 19 patients with allergic diseases and 70 patients with infectious diseases. 7.5 grams of vitamin C was administered intravenously (IV) to each patient. The study showed that serum histamine levels decreased in all patients, but this decrease was greater in patients with allergic disease.
Studies suggest that vitamin C may help reduce histamine production or prevent mast cells from releasing it. While vitamin C is thought to play a role in histamine, vitamin D may relieve allergies in another way.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is commonly associated with bone health, but this body-made vitamin also plays other important roles, such as supporting the immune system.
Studies suggest that vitamin D helps reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis, better known as hay fever. A meta-analysis examined the effects of vitamin D supplementation on hay fever. After reviewing over 2,000 articles and five randomized controlled trials, the meta-analysis found that, compared to placebo, vitamin D supplementation without the use of corticosteroids reduced hay fever symptoms.
Another meta-analysis looked at the results of vitamin D supplementation in children with allergic diseases. The study analyzed the results of 32 randomized controlled trials involving over 2,000 participants and found that vitamin D supplementation was associated with a reduction in the severity of symptoms of atopic dermatitis and hay fever.
Research indicates that vitamin D may help relieve allergies by regulating the immune system.
Minerals that can relieve allergies
While vitamins can have powerful anti-allergy properties, studies suggest that minerals like zinc can also provide powerful natural relief.
Zinc
Zinc is a mineral needed for over 300 reactions in the body. Its deficiency has been linked to everything from slow growth to poor immune health.
Studies suggest that zinc deficiency may also contribute to allergies. Numerous studies have linked zinc deficiency to a significantly higher risk of developing allergy symptoms, five times higher than in people without zinc deficiency.
Therefore, zinc supplementation may help alleviate allergy symptoms. One interventional study focused on the effects of oral zinc supplementation for people with severe seasonal allergies. The study involved 34 patients divided into two groups. The treatment group received 40 mg of zinc daily and cetirizine, an antihistamine. The control group received cetirizine only.
After two weeks, the study found a significant reduction in allergy symptoms in the zinc-treated group and an improvement in quality of life.
Researchers believe that zinc supplementation, when given to correct a deficiency, may relieve allergy symptoms by balancing the immune system and preventing mast cells from releasing histamine.
Supplements that can improve allergies
Many substances found in nature can be beneficial for overall health. However, studies are beginning to suggest that certain natural compounds like quercetin and black seed oil may be particularly beneficial for relieving allergies.
Quercetin
While vitamins and minerals can play a key role in regulating the immune system and reducing allergy symptoms, other powerful approaches can provide natural allergy relief.
Research suggests that quercetin may be a powerful natural allergy reliever. Quercetin is a naturally occurring substance found in a variety of foods, from asparagus to green tea.
Quercetin is often considered to have powerful anti-inflammatory effects, but it may also be a potent anti-allergy agent. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study investigated the effects of quercetin supplementation on seasonal allergies.
The study involved 66 participants aged 22 to 78 who took 200 mg of quercetin daily for 4 weeks. The study found that those in the quercetin group experienced a significant reduction in allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes, sneezing, runny nose, and sleep disturbances associated with seasonal allergies.
The study also showed that the quercetin group reported an improvement in their quality of life compared to the control group. Studies suggest that quercetin may reduce allergy symptoms by inhibiting the production and release of histamine.
Black seed oil
Nigella sativa, commonly known as black cumin, black seed, or black caraway, is an annual plant with pale blue and white flowers. Black cumin or black caraway, is an annual plant with pale blue or white flowers. It belongs to the Ranunculaceae family, along with other plants used for medicinal purposes, such as goldenseal.
Black seed has been used for centuries in the Middle East as a traditional medicine for kidney, liver, lung, and digestive ailments. Modern science suggests that black seed can also relieve allergies.
A prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined the effects of black seed oil on patients with hay fever. The study included 66 participants, both men and women, with an average age of approximately 47 years.
The study lasted 30 days and found that black seed oil could reduce allergy symptoms such as itchy and runny nose, sneezing, and nasal congestion within 15 days of first use.
Another controlled clinical study examined the effects of black seed oil on 68 patients with hay fever. Participants were separated based on the severity of their symptoms, which were either mild, moderate, or severe. The study also included a control group that did not receive black seed oil.
After six weeks, the study found that all patients in the mild group were symptom-free, while a large proportion of patients in the moderate and severe groups were symptom-free or had fewer symptoms (93.7% and 83.3%, respectively). This contrasts with the 30.1% of people in the control group who reported symptom improvement.
Studies suggest that black seed oil is a powerful anti-inflammatory, and this property may help relieve allergies.
Probiotics
The importance of gut health cannot be overstated. Poor gut health has been linked to a wide range of disorders, from diabetes and obesity to chronic inflammation.
Probiotics may help reduce allergy symptoms. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial investigated the effect of probiotic supplementation on hay fever symptoms.
The study lasted up to 12 weeks and involved 40 participants with seasonal allergies. The study found that those in the treatment group experienced a reduction in allergy symptoms, such as a runny nose, as well as improved quality of life, better sleep, and reduced fatigue.
Another prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study, this time involving 106 participants and lasting 90 days, examined the effectiveness of probiotics versus prebiotics in reducing hay fever symptoms. The study found a significant reduction in allergy symptoms in the probiotic/prebiotic group compared to the placebo group.
Probiotics are thought to reduce the symptoms of seasonal allergies by regulating gut health and supporting the immune system.
What to remember
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, spring doesn't have to mean itchy eyes, a runny nose, or uncontrollable sneezing. Natural allergy relief may be within reach thanks to potentially helpful approaches like vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, quercetin, black seed oil, and probiotics. Adding these natural approaches to an allergy routine can contribute to lasting allergy relief so you can get out and enjoy spring.
