Natural Cures for Allergy Symptoms

Herbs, Sinus Cleansing with Neti, and an Elimination Diet can Help

Oct 30, 2009

Allergy symptoms can be seasonal or last all year. Natural medicine offers several safe ways to relieve sinus congestion, runny nose and other effects of allergies.

Diagnosing and treating seasonal allergies can be a complicated matter. Allergy symptoms may be as mild as the common cold or as severe as life-threatening anaphylaxis. It’s not uncommon for a person with allergies to have different allergic symptoms from year to year. Allergic rhinitis can accompany the common cold, which is highly contagious, and seasonal allergic reactions can cause secondary infections such as chronic bronchitis.

Usually, if rhinitis is caused by a seasonal allergic reaction, nasal discharges are clear, unlike discharges associated with viral and bacterial infections. Medical allergy testing can determine the source of most reactions. Some people react to pollens released at certain times of the year, while others suffer from perennial allergies and may suffer throughout the year. As many as 30 million people suffer with allergies. Usually, symptoms begin during childhood and adolescence, but people at any age can develop allergies. It often takes at least two years of exposure in a new place before seasonal allergy symptoms begin. This is why often people don’t experience allergies until they have lived an a new place for several years.

Pollen—from trees, grasses and weeds—is the most common cause of seasonal allergies. In perennial allergies, house dust, animal dander and molds are usually the cause, and many people are troubled by both types. Herbal and naturopathic medicine have much to offer this kind of allergy sufferer. Herbs, such as amla, guggal, pippali, and others offer natural relief for many allergy symptoms. And when these are taken together, their effect is synergistically enhanced.

Sinus Cleansing with Neti

Natural care also incorporates safe, simple measures such as sinus cleansing to keep nasal passageways clear and free from pollens, molds and other allergens. Douching the sinuses with a saline solution soothes irritated mucous membranes. The neti pot, a nasal irrigator resembling a small teapot, is highly recommended by naturopathic practitioners for allergy sufferers. While it is not nearly as convenient as popping a pill or using a spray, several recent studies have found that nasal irrigation can reduce symptoms of allergies and other nasal problems.

One benefit is that irrigation can clear nasal passages without dryness or “rebound” congestion, which occurs when overuse of decongestants leads to dependence and irritated tissue. In one independent study in 2008, researchers examined a group of children with severe allergies. They found that regular nasal irrigation with a mild saline solution significantly eased symptoms and helped reduce the need for steroid nasal sprays.

A 2007 study at the University of Michigan looked at 121 adults with chronic nasal and sinus problems. Over two months, the scientists found that those treated with nasal irrigation reported greater improvements than those treated with a spray.

The Role of Diet

Nutrition is a critical component of naturopathic care for all health conditions. Some research suggests that even seasonal allergies can be aggravated by many allergy-producing foods. Eliminating such foods from the diet can assist the body and help to reduce the severity of symptoms. Foods which may aggravate allergy symptoms include dairy, nightshades (tomatoes, potatoes, eggplant and peppers), and citrus fruits (oranges, grapefruit and tangerines). Herbal teas are also often overlooked in allergy treatment. Hot herbal teas can help to thin mucous so it can be flushed out of the system.

The Indoor Environment

Every allergy sufferer needs to consider the effect of indoor air on their symptoms. Pets can also be a factor. Forced air heating, gas heating and carpeting provide an indoor environment in which molds, dust mites, and bacteria can grow and thrive. Electric heating, although costly to install, creates the most allergy-free indoor environment. If forced air is used, HEPA or charcoal filters can improve air quality.

Archives of Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Vol. 133, No. 11, Nov. 2007.

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