Seasonal Allergies

By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Medicine

It's spring! Warmer weather, spring showers – and, for many of us, seasonal allergies. The reason is that, as trees bud, flowers bloom and grasses green, they produce a host of pesky pollens, molds and other allergens that can wreak havoc on the nose, eyes, throat and sinuses. If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you're not alone. Allergic rhinitis – the medical name for seasonal allergies and hay fever – afflicts some 22 million Americans, making it the most common chronic respiratory illness in the United States.

The good news? Hay fever doesn't have to mean a season of suffering. While allopathic drugs such as antihistamines can suppress your symptoms, they often cause side effects. Herbs, on the other hand, are considerably safer – and just as effective – as pharmaceuticals. But, to pick the right natural alternative, it helps to understand how allergies develop.

When your immune system encounters an allergen, it triggers the release of histamine, a chemical that causes inflammation – and leads to the familiar coughing, sneezing, wheezing, itchy eyes, runny nose and congestion. Although a hardy immune system is essential for fighting allergies, the following treatments not only bring fast relief, but may even help prevent attacks.

Seasonal Sting

When some gardeners think of stinging nettle, they probably think of a pesky – and painful – weed. But this anti-inflammatory herb has been used for centuries to relieve swelling, itchy eyes and a runny nose.

Studies confirm the benefits of this flowering perennial for the symptoms of hay fever. In one clinical trial, researchers noted that 58 percent of the study participants experienced reduced symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis after just one week of taking nettle.

A user-friendly herb with few side effects, nettle is one of the most widely used remedies for battling the sneeze season. Not only does it work as a natural antihistamine, it works quickly – often within 10 minutes – to halt a sneezing attack.

Butter Up for Better Health

If you are suffering from nasal congestion or a sinus headache, try butterbur. Taking this anti-inflammatory herb twice a day can offer lasting relief, even if you spend a lot of time outdoors.

In one recent surveillance study involving 580 allergy patients, researchers found that taking 8 mg. of butterbur twice a day significantly reduced sneezing; nasal congestion; runny nose; red, itchy eyes; and skin irritation in 90 percent of the patients taking part in the study. They also discovered that the herb was extremely safe, with few side effects.

It’s so effective that a study published in the British Medical Journal reported that butterbur works just as well as the popular allergy prescription Zyrtec for easing allergy symptoms – bur without the drowsiness common to the prescription medication.

Pineapple Express

Pain and inflammation often come on like gangbusters when you suffer from allergies. Luckily bromelain, an enzyme derived from pineapples, can provide a reprieve. A powerful anti-inflammatory, bromelain can relieve swelling and aching joints caused by hay fever. The effect is similar to that of steroids, but without the potentially dangerous side effects.

Unfortunately, there are a couple of drawbacks to bromelain. First, it can be hard to get the dosing right. The reason is that most bromelain research was conducted years ago, when the amounts used were listed in units of activity that no longer exist. These old units don’t precisely convert to new ones. Today, bromelain is measured in MCUs (milk clotting units) or GDUs (gelatin dissolving units) and one GDU equals approximately 1.5 MCU. Confused yet? Your doctor or herbalist may be too and, as a result, tell you to take as much as 3,000 MCU taken three times per day for several days, followed by 2,000 MCU three times per day.

Much of the new research, however, uses smaller amounts – 500 MCU taken four times per day. The reason for the lower dose is that studies typically use an enteric-coated version of bromelain to prevent it from being destroyed by gastric juice. To avoid taking a dose that’s unnecessarily high, don’t just grab the first bromelain supplement you see. Make sure that it’s enteric-coated and measured in MCUs.

Another problem that may affect some allergy sufferers is that, because bromelain acts as a blood thinner, people taking blood thinning medications like warfarin should avoid bromelain in order to reduce the theoretical risk of excessive bleeding.

Although herbs may not cure your allergies, they can go a long way toward making you feel better. Plus, these herbs are considerably safer bet than many of the allergy drugs that litter drugstore shelves. So next time you're suffering an allergy attack, try effective natural allergy relievers made from herbs. Before long, you'll be breathing easy and enjoying the fresh air of spring.

One Last Thing ...

Herbs aren’t the only way to naturally alleviate allergies. Quercetin, a bioflavonoid found in many vegetables and fruits, acts like an antihistamine by relieving allergy symptoms. Better yet, quercetin stops the allergic pathway in the body so it helps to prevent the onset of allergy symptoms. Start by taking 200 mg. two to three times per day. If you don’t see any improvement, you can safely increase the dose up to 500 mg. three times a day.

If you suffer from hay fever, there’s also a possibility that you might have a food allergy. Preliminary studies show a connection between certain foods and certain plants. For instance, someone with an allergy to honey may also be allergic to plants like clover that bees tend to pollinate. There is also some evidence that people allergic to ragweed might also be allergic to melons.

An elimination diet has helped some people with hay fever identify dietary culprits so the offending foods can be avoided. Even if this strategy doesn’t have a direct impact your symptoms, discovering and eliminating food allergens will improve your overall health and make your body better able to handle seasonal allergens.

This Just In ...

If you’ve been diagnosed with atherosclerosis, you might want to take some SOD. No, I’m not advocating munching on your lawn. I’m taking about superoxide dismutase, an enzyme naturally found in our cells that provides important antioxidant defense to nearly all cells exposed to oxygen. It does this by triggering the conversion of superoxide – a substance that can lead to cellular mutations – into harmless hydrogen peroxide and oxygen.

Scientists have known for years that a variety of tumor cells are deficient in SOD. They’ve also found that taking a SOD supplement can give cancer patients some important protection. But now, according to a new study, SOD can also help protect against atherosclerosis. The reason is that SOD is more powerful than antioxidant vitamins because it activates the body's productions of its own antioxidants, including catalase and glutathione peroxidase.

During the study, which was conducted by the National Association of Medical Prevention in France, 76 patients at risk of cardiovascular disease were placed on a strict heart healthy diet for 12 months. During the first year, the researchers noted minor improvements in body mass index, blood pressure and LDL cholesterol.

Because the diet was fairly strict, 42 of the subjects dropped out after the first year. The remaining 34 were randomly divided into two groups – one that continued with the diet only and the other who combined the diet with 500 IU of supplemental SOD. While the diet only group didn’t see any changes over the next two years, the SOD group experienced a significant boost in their antioxidant status and a 34 percent reduction in malondialdehyde, a marker of lipid oxidation.

The French team also used an ultrasound to measure the innermost layer of the carotid artery. What they discovered was that the control group had a much thicker layer compared to the people supplementing with SOD. A thick layer is a sign of both inflammation and atherosclerosis.

Supplemental SOD is readily absorbed by the body and has an amazing safety record. But as good as SOD is, you can make it even better. Intriguing new research suggests that the Chinese herb, wolfberry, can enhance the activity of SOD throughout the body. Some researchers speculate that this powerhouse combination could even help to restore youthful antioxidant defenses to protect against atherosclerosis and a host of degenerative disease.

***

References:

Cloarec M, Caillard P, Provost JC, et al. “GliSODin, a vegetal SOD with gliadin, as preventative agent vs. atherosclerosis as confirmed with carotid ultrasound-B imaging" European Annals of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2007;39:2-7.

Egger M, Mutschlechner S, Wopfner N, et al. “Pollen-food syndromes associated with weed pollinosis: an update from the molecular point of view.” Allergy. 2006;61:461-476.

Kaufeler R, Polasek W, Brattsrtom A, et al. “Efficacy and safety of butterbur herbal extract Ze339 in seasonal allergic rhinitis: postmarketing surveillance study.” Advances in Therapy. 2006;23:373-384.

Mittman P. “Randomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.” Planta Medica. 1990;56:44-47.

Schapowal A, Petasites Study Group. “Randomised controlled trial of butterbur and cetirizine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis.” British Medical Journal. 2002;324:144-146.