Natural remedies forallergiescan include herbal preparations, teas, nasal sprays, and even acupuncture.
Speak to your healthcare provider about supplement use.
This article discusses 12 different natural remedies for allergies.
Verywell / Ellen Lindner
The participants took part in a four-hour hiking/snowshoeing tour or a day of skiing in moderately cold alpine conditions.
Results showed that they had decreased allergy symptoms and an improvement in breathing tests.
These effects were noted both the day after exercise and 60 days later.
How to Use It
Many people with allergies can follow the exercise recommendations for the general population.
Adhere to any medical restrictions you may have.
It’s wise to gradually increase your exercise as you build your endurance.
In addition, if you havepollen allergies, take note of pollen levels before heading outside.
It is an at-home remedy that involves using sterile saltwater to clear nasal passages.
Nasal irrigation may help reduceallergy symptoms, facilitating breathing and sleep.
you’re free to try a nasal rinse by purchasing a kit and following instructions.
One method is to use a neti pot with a saline solution.
You pour the solution from the pot in one nostril and the solution drains from the other nostril.
A squeeze bottle or bulb syringe can also be used.
Only use distilled water or boiled water for nasal irrigation.
It’s best to wait an hour or more after nasal irrigation before going to bed.
That ensures the saline has drained completely from your sinuses and helps to prevent coughing.
Vitamin C is known as anantioxidant, with properties that may boost the immune system and limit inflammation.
Vitamin C is generally safe but side effects at high doses can include diarrhea and other digestive system issues.
It may lead to higher levels of iron absorption in people with a rare disorder called hereditaryhemochromatosis.
Ask your healthcare provider about drug interactions if you are receiving chemotherapy treatment.
Several studies suggest vitamin D supplements may reduce inflammation and allergic reactions.
There is no evidence, however, that taking vitamin D without medication would have the same effect.
The United States recommended dietary allowances for vitamin D vary by age.
Adults up to age 70 need 600 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily.
Those aged 70 and older should get 800 IU of vitamin D daily.
It is possible to take too much vitamin D, which raises calcium levels in the blood.
This can result in kidney stones and calcium deposits in the heart and other organs.
Exposure to sunlight also raises vitamin D levels.
However, you should avoid too much exposure since it can lead to sunburn or skin cancer.
Honey
Honey is made from flower nectar in beehives.
It has been linked to a number of health benefits, including immune system benefits.
Capsules, tablets, and chewable gummies are available as supplements.
Nasal sprays are an option, too.
Propolisis a sticky component of honey that may help to relieve allergy symptoms.
It’s not uncommon for some people to have allergies to honey.
Avoid any propolis products if you have an allergy to bees.
It’s also to be avoided in children less than 1 year old.
Acupunctureis a healing practice that originated in China over 5,000 years ago.
It involves stimulating points on the body with needles, pressure, or electrical probes.
These points are believed to be connected by pathways creating an energy flow that affects overall health.
However, a large systematic review looked at several studies on the effects of acupuncture on allergic rhinitis.
The procedure was found to be safe and without adverse effects.
Acupuncture is generally regarded as safe, and side effects are not expected.
However, it has not been found to be useful for asthma or allergic skin reactions.
How Butterbur Is Used
Commercial butterbur extracts are made from the roots or leaves of the plant.
They’re available in capsule or tablet form to be taken by mouth.
Some studies have shown a benefit when commercial butterbur supplements are taken twice daily.
Check the label or speak to your healthcare provider about precise dosing.
Butterbur is in the ragweed plant family.
Do not take the raw butterbur herb on its own or as a tea, extract, or capsule.
It contains substances calledpyrrolizidinealkaloids that can be toxic to the liver and lungs and may cause cancer.
Quercetin
Quercetinis an antioxidant, which helps prevent damage to cells.
It is also available in supplement form.
Some people use it for allergic rhinitis,atopic dermatitis(eczema), and asthma.
Quercetin has potential for the development of allergy and asthma therapy.
How Quercetin Is Used
There are numerous dietary sources of quercetin.
Quercetin is also available as a nutritional supplement in tablet or capsule form.
Quercetin should be avoided by people with kidney disease, as well as people who are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are essential fats.
However, many studies are on animal models or in the test tube, rather than human studies.
There have been some positive findings, but this research is still very preliminary.
Fish oil has a mild “blood-thinning” effect.
One randomized double-blind clinical trial in humans found that stinging nettle seemed to reduce allergy symptoms.
How Stinging Nettle Is Used
Stinging nettle can be used as a tea.
Extracts may be found in a variety of supplements for allergy support.
Stinging nettle has diuretic properties, meaning it causes your kidneys to make more urine.
Prebioticsare a punch in of fiber that encourages the growth of probiotic bacteria.
Added to infant formula, they may help improve immune responses.
Research has looked at whether probiotics during pregnancy and breastfeeding can reduce the risk of eczema in at-risk infants.
They also recommend probiotic use by those infants.
The WAO also found that the evidence for using prebiotics is limited.
However, for infants who are not exclusively breastfed, supplementing with prebiotics may be considered.
They note there are no studies of prebiotic supplements for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Because of this, they make no recommendation for maternal use of prebiotics.
Prebiotics are found in fermented foods.
They are also available in tablets, capsules, and chewable products.
Probiotics and prebiotics are generally safe.
Black Cumin Seed Oil
Blackcuminseed oil has several active chemical compounds, includingthymoquinone.
Research evidence suggests it may relieve symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
They found they had reduced nasal congestion, nasal itching, runny nose, and sneezing attacks.
Another study used black cumin seed oil in the form of nasal drops to treat allergic rhinitis.
A six-week treatment course showed good results in relieving symptoms.
It can be taken as a supplement once or twice a day.
Studies have found no significant side effects forblack seed oil.
However, there is always the possibility of a skin reaction when applied topically.
Test a small amount on your skin before using it consistently.
Continue to monitor your skin for reactions while using it for any length of time.
Safety for certain individuals (e.g., nursing mothers, those taking medications, etc.)
is also not established.
Always talk to your healthcare provider before taking a supplement for allergies or any other concern.
The moist, warm air from a humidifier can relieve nasal passages irritated by dry air.
But check with your allergist before using one to talk about the potential risks, too.
The additional moisture can promote dust mites, already the top cause of indoor allergies.
It also can lead to mold spores.
Air purifiers also can remove allergens.
They may include:
Summary
Many types of natural remedies are thought to help ease allergy symptoms.
These include exercise, nasal irrigation, probiotics, prebiotics, and various herbs and supplements.
For many of these, research is still limited on how they affect allergies.
Talk with your doctor first to let them know your symptoms.
They can help answer your questions about how natural treatments might work with your other allergy medications.
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