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Natural remedies: can they help you fight allergies?

By Geri K. Metzger, Staff Writer, myOptumHealth

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If you have allergies and take prescription or over-the-counter antihistamines or prescription anti-inflammatories, you may wonder if there's an herbal option for allergy symptoms.

Complementary and alternative remedies are popular ways to treat many medical conditions, including allergies. But there's little scientific evidence to support their safety and effectiveness.

Many of the natural remedies for allergies can be found right in your grocery store. For example, strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries and cranberries all contain quercetin. This is similar to vitamin C. It's thought by some to work like an antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory.

Be careful, though. Even if the remedy is called "natural," use them with caution. Natural doesn't automatically mean harmless. Some may have negative interactions with certain medications or cause other unwanted effects. And some just don't work.

What works?

Here are a few natural or herbal remedies used for allergies and the latest facts about them:

• Butterbur. A couple of small studies showed that butterbur helped for symptoms of hay fever and had few side effects when taken for a short time. But more and larger scientific studies are needed to see if these claims are true. Avoid butterbur supplements with pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs). These chemicals can harm the liver and lungs. Don't use butterbur if you are allergic to ragweed. 
• Quercetin. This is a substance found in some plants. It is thought to help stabilize the cells that release histamine. So, it acts like an antihistamine. Some say it works to prevent allergic responses if taken regularly. More scientific research is needed, though. Quercetin is present in apples, onions and citrus fruits, and can be bought as a supplement. Check with your doctor if you are thinking about taking a quercetin supplement. It can interact with aspirin and blood thinners. 
• Omega-3 fatty acids. These acids found in fish oil are thought to act as natural anti-inflammatories. Some feel that the substance may reduce allergy symptoms by disrupting the inflammation process. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in dark meat fish such as salmon and tuna, and in flaxseed oil. 
• Honeybee pollen. This is thought to stimulate the immune system to produce antibodies that reduce allergic reactions. But there is no evidence that bee pollen or royal jelly help allergies.

As a rule, most insect-pollinated plants don't cause allergies. Most allergens are wind-pollinated plants, not insect. Also, some people have had severe allergic reactions and gone into anaphylactic shock because of bee pollen.

Plan B: tips for preventing allergy symptoms

There are home remedies and some no-cost maneuvers that are safe, and can help reduce or prevent allergy symptoms indoors. You can use air conditioning, control humidity in the home (50 percent or below) and use air filters that help reduce allergens in the air.

Stay indoors when pollen counts are high. Avoid activities like mowing grass, raking leaves or hanging laundry outside to dry.

Experts also suggest environmental controls. Use air filters to reduce exposure to dog dander or dust mite allergens. These are allergy triggers for many people, or are pollutants that irritate their condition.

People interested in trying a natural remedy should talk to their doctors first.

View the original Natural remedies: can they help you fight allergies? article on myOptumHealth.com 

SOURCES:

• National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Accessed: 06/04/2008

• Horwitz R. The Allergic Patient. In: Rakel: Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. Accessed: 06/04/2008

• American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Prevention of allergies and asthma. Accessed: 06/04/2008