After back pain, allergy relief is the second leading reason why people turn to natural medicine. Natural approaches not only relieve symptoms, but can prevent illness, since allergy season "stuffiness" often leads to lingering respiratory infections. Seasonal-type pollen allergies peak when plants are blooming in spring and summer. Some pollens are lightweight and dry—specifically designed to be dispersed by wind. Examples are birch, oak, mugwort, ragweed, olive and grasses. Other pollens are heavier and sticky, and are designed to attach to visiting insects and birds. Wind-borne pollens are responsible for most pollen allergies, not sticky pollens.

Fungal allergies are also seasonal. Mold, mildew, mushrooms and yeast are all fungi, and have tiny powdery spores which are easily transported. Spore counts generally peak in warm, humid weather; however, hot, dry windy conditions also blow fungal spores around as a component of dust. Surprisingly, mold counts in many homes are highest in winter, due to airtight windows and doors, and condensation on metal window frames. A damp home or basement is the primary source of fungal-allergy symptoms including runny nose, post-nasal drip, bloodshot eyes, headache and mouth breathing.

Seasonal allergies respond to relatively high doses of certain supplements and medicinal plants. The recommended doses are for treating acute allergies during allergy season, and should not necessarily be taken all year long. Use half doses for children 7-12 and 1/3 doses for children 4-6.

Vitamin C is the most critical supplement for allergy treatment. Everybody with allergies can be helped by vitamin C, even if they ignore every other issue that could be affecting their conditions. Vitamin C is the primary antioxidant in the lungs, and is a powerful antihistamine without side effects.

Allergens provoke certain cells in the body to produce histamine, a biochemical which is responsible for the runny nose, watery eyes, coughing and congestion of allergies. This response is the body's means of flushing out offenders, however in chronic allergies it goes overboard. Vitamin C prevents the formation of histamine, as opposed to common antihistamine medications, which work by interfering with the binding of histamine after it's already produced. Vitamin C also normalizes overall immune response. Dosage: 1g three to five times daily.

Pantothenic Acid: Extra pantothenic acid may reduce the severity of allergic reactions. High doses of pantothenic acid specifically relieve chronic sinus congestion that occurs upon awakening. Dosage: 500mg one to two times daily. Capsules may be opened and mixed into any salve or aloe gel to promote healing of irritated nasal tissue.

Magnesium: Allergy attacks use up magnesium and they continually get worse if magnesium isn't replaced. Magnesium is needed to relax the bronchial tubes and smooth muscle of the esophagus. Dosage: 400mg daily.

Medicinal Plants For Specific Symptoms

Sneezing, Watery Eyes, Excess Mucus Drainage: If you have been using antihistamine medications to control allergies, then herbs rich in flavonoids are a natural alternative. Like vitamin C, certain flavonoids help prevent the formation of histamine. Many flavonoids are also antioxidant and antinflammatory, and decrease the tissue swelling associated with allergic reactions. Quercetin is one of the most effective antihistamine/antiallergic flavonoids.

In the diet it's concentrated in onions, garlic, cayenne, apples and tea—and it's nearly ubiquitous in medicinal plants. Dosage: 1,OOOmg three times daily. Other antiallergic flavonoid-rich herbs are chamomile, feverfew, yarrow, Baikal skullcap, lemon balm, grapes (leaf and fruit) and many mints. Use six to eight capsules or four cups infusion daily.

Touching the fresh leaf of a stinging nettle is a good way to get an allergic reaction, not stop one! But when cooked or dried, nettles have no sting. Nettles contain quercetin and other antiallergic flavonoids, tannins and phytosterols. A 1990 controlled study found freeze-dried nettle about twice as effective as placebo for allergic rhinitis symptoms. Dosage: 300-400mg freeze-dried leaves three to four times daily.

Additionally, black cumin, licorice, ginkgo and essential oils of orange, tangerine, lemon, cardamom, cinnamon, rosemary and many mints are antihistamine, antiallergic and help relax the nasal passages and airway. Drink three to five cups herbal infusions daily.

Congested Sinuses: Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme derived from the stem of the pineapple plant. It's the active ingredient in meat tenderizer. Bromelain's primary applications for allergy treatment are (1) reduce swelling of the throat, sinuses and nasal passages, and (2) thin mucus so that it may be more easily expectorated. Dosage: 500mg three to four times daily. The enzyme potency of the product should be 1800-2000 mcu or 1000-1200 gdu. If lower, increase dosage accordingly. Take bromelain on an empty stomach or with juice only.

Coughing, Dry Sore Throat, and Lingering Bronchitis: Prolonged allergen exposure can lead to hacking coughs and bronchial irritation. Bronchitis may also linger after a serious respiratory infection has waned. The Chinese herb fritillary is recommended for chronic coughs, alone or teamed with loquat, licorice and/or cardamom in syrups. Traditional American/European cough preparations containing wild cherry, thyme, hyssop, emblica, marshmallow root and/or primrose root are also effective.

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