Natural Remedies for Allergies

With allergy season in full bloom, here are some ideas for natural ways to treat them.


Quercetin
Found in the skin of onions and apples, quercetin is a natural antihistamine. Numerous studies have demonstrated that quercetin reduces allergic immune response by modulating inflammatory signals at the gene level. A new animal study demonstrates that a single dose of quercetin can have a potent bronchodilator effect, offering a potential strategy for people with asthma looking for natural ways to help assist them.

Stinging Nettle Leaf
One preliminary human study suggested that nettle capsules helped reduce sneezing and itching in people with hay fever, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Researchers think that may be due to nettle's ability to reduce the amount of histamine the body produces in response to an allergen. Some doctors recommend taking a freeze dried preparation of stinging nettle well before hay fever season starts.

Probiotics
Probiotics, also known as the "good" bacteria help keep the immune system balanced. It can be found in plain yogurt that has live active culture, sauerkraut, or fermented soy (known as miso).