Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies
As winter transitions to spring, many people are finding that allergy season has come early this year.
Thankfully, there’s a lot of ways to approach managing allergies holistically. This blog post will explore all of the holistic remedies used for allergies according to tradition and modern research.
Common Symptoms of Allergies
Sneezing
Runny nose
Watery, itchy eyes
Post-nasal drip
Nasal congestion
Headaches
Sometimes it’s also hard to differentiate colds from allergies. While both conditions share symptoms like nasal congestion and coughing, several distinctions can help pinpoint the cause:
Duration: Colds typically last 3-14 days, whereas allergies can persist for days to months, especially if exposed to allergens continuously.
Seasonality: Colds are more prevalent in winter, while allergies often peak in early spring (but can occur year-round).
Symptoms: Colds may present with a productive cough, body aches, and sore throat, whereas allergies commonly feature itchy, watery eyes, and persistent nasal congestion.
Understanding these differences can aid in selecting appropriate remedies tailored to your needs.
Holistic Approach
There are lots of holistic options to support those experiencing seasonal allergies. In my clinic, I use the following to create custom treatment plans:
Acupuncture
Herbal Medicine
Supplements
Nasal Sprays/Irrigation
Acupuncture for Allergies
Acupuncture is a great support for people with allergies.
I frequently recommend people come in for treatments twice a week for 4 weeks, or once a week for 8 weeks depending on your schedule. If your symptoms are severe, more frequent is often ideal.
In the Bay Area, I recommend starting acupuncture in February before allergy season begins (to get ahead of the season), but you can also start when you begin experiencing symptoms.
Research on Acupuncture for Allergies
When you look for research studies on acupuncture and allergies, there’s a lot of promising studies out there.
In a recent meta-analysis (where they summarize a bunch of the research that’s been done), the researchers looked at over 30 studies with 4413 participants.
The researchers found:
Acupuncture is more effective than no treatment for allergic rhinitis
Acupuncture works as well as common medicines for allergic rhinitis. In one study, acupuncture led to better results than two medications (tranilast capsules and desloratadine dispersible (Clarinex))
Acupuncture may modulate immune biomarkers to reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
Additional trials should be done to explore how acupuncture may work
You can take a look at the study here.
Herbs for Seasonal Allergies
Both Western and East Asian Herbal medicine offer a treasure trove of remedies historically used for those with allergies. Here are some of my favorites:
Nettles (urtica dioica)
During the spring in San Francisco, you’ll often see nettles peeking up near the sidewalks. Nettles are historically used in allergy formulas because of their natural anti-histamine properties. They’re also super healthy and full of vitamins commonly recommended for allergy sufferers, like vitamin c and quercetin.
One study showed 300mg, 2x/day of freeze dried nettle root supported those with allergies, and 48% of the people in the study preferred the nettles to OTC medications. This is probably because instead of making you drowsy, nettles can be energizing because they’re so nutrient-dense.
If you don’t want to take capsules, nettle infusions (a very strong tea) are a great option.
Tree Peony Root (paeonia suffruticosa)
Tree peony root, or mu dan pi has been used for thousands of years in Chinese Medicine for it’s anti-inflammatory properties. Recently, it has been studied for its paeonol content, which may have potent anti-allergic properties. It is believed to work by inhibiting the release of histamine by the body’s mast cells. When I create custom herbal formulas to support those with allergies, mu dan pi plays a starring role. It is also the chief ingredient in my favorite nasal spray by Dermatology-M.
Baikal Skullcap (scutellaria baicalensis)
Baikal Skullcap is being studied more and more for it’s anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory nature. Traditionally, it’s been used in Traditioinal Chiniese Medicine (TCM) for inflammation in the upper body. There’s some research on Baikal Skullcap’s anti-allergic properties here.
Herbal Supplements
When it comes to allergies, I frequently recommend working with herbs as a formula. I definitely recommend working with a practitioner for a custom formula if you can. These are some of my favorite commercially-available formulas:
Clear Passage Tincture by Five Flavors
Allergy ReLeaf by Herbs Etc.
Nutritional Supplements
In addition to herbal remedies, certain nutritional supplements can complement allergy management:
Quercetin: This flavonoid possesses potent anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties. Incorporating quercetin-rich foods or supplements into one's diet may mitigate allergic reactions. You can also supplement; the dosage is 500mg/day. It is not recommended for pregnancy. You can sometimes find a nettle/quercetin combination supplement.
Probiotics: More and more research is being done on the gut-allergy connection. If you’re experiencing allergies and challenging gut symptoms, adding probiotic rich foods and improving your intestinal health is an avenue to explore.
Nasal Irrigation and Sprays
Neti-pots and nasal sprays can be used to for symptomatic relief of nasal congestion (be sure to use distilled or sterile water!).
My favorite nasal spray is from Dermatology-M.
Conclusion
While seasonal allergies can be a nuisance, holistic approaches offer effective alternatives to conventional treatments. From time-tested herbal remedies to innovative therapies like acupuncture, you have lots of options to manage your symptoms naturally.
Often in my clinic, I’ll combine several of the above strategies to craft a custom treatment plan for you. If you live in the Bay Area and are looking for an acupuncturist or herbalist to support you, I’d love to help!
You can book your appointment here, and we can discuss strategies to support you.
Disclaimer
It's essential to consult with a qualified healthcare provider before initiating any new treatment regimen, particularly if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
If you’re pregnant, I also recommend consulting with a qualified medical practitioner about what is safe, as the research on herbs and supplements is always changing.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
Works Cited
Charlie Changli Xue, et al. Acupuncture for Persistent Allergic Rhinitis: A Randomised, Sham‐Controlled Trial. Vol. 187, no. 6, 1 Sept. 2007, pp. 337–341, https://doi.org/10.5694/j.1326-5377.2007.tb01275.x. Accessed 23 July 2023.
Commissioner, Office of the. “Is Rinsing Your Sinuses with Neti Pots Safe?” FDA, 9 Feb. 2019, www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/rinsing-your-sinuses-neti-pots-safe.
He, Min, et al. “Acupuncture for Allergic Rhinitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” European Journal of Medical Research, vol. 27, no. 1, 25 Apr. 2022, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-022-00682-3.
HONG, Myung Hee, et al. “Inhibitory Effects of Paeonia Suffruticosa on Allergic Reactions by Inhibiting the NF-KappaB/IkappaB-Alpha Signaling Pathway and Phosphorylation of ERK in an Animal Model and Human Mast Cells.” Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Biochemistry, vol. 74, no. 6, 23 June 2010, pp. 1152–1156, https://doi.org/10.1271/bbb.90676. Accessed 17 Jan. 2023.
Jiang, Shuishi, et al. “Inhibitory Effects of Moutan Cortex on Immediate Allergic Reactions.” Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin, vol. 30, no. 9, 2007, pp. 1707–1710, https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.30.1707. Accessed 11 Dec. 2020.
Jung, Hyuk-Sang, et al. “Antiallergic Effects of Scutellaria Baicalensis on Inflammation in Vivo and in Vitro.” Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 141, no. 1, May 2012, pp. 345–349, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2012.02.044. Accessed 29 Nov. 2020.
Liu, Peng, et al. “Research Advances in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis by Probiotics.” Journal of Asthma and Allergy, vol. Volume 15, Oct. 2022, pp. 1413–1428, www.dovepress.com/getfile.php?fileID=84500, https://doi.org/10.2147/jaa.s382978. Accessed 29 Dec. 2022.
Mittman, Paul. “Randomized, Double-Blind Study of Freeze-DriedUrtica Dioicain the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis.” Planta Medica, vol. 56, no. 01, Feb. 1990, pp. 44–47, https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2006-960881.