Allergies occur when the immune system overreacts to substances to which it is being exposed. Allergies take different forms and are caused by different substances such as pollen, dust, foods, insect bites and medications. Some allergies are seasonal, while others occur throughout the year. Conventional medicine treats allergies with expensive desensitization and a variety of medicines that suppress the symptoms; however, most treatments do not cure the cause of the allergy. Depending on the type of allergies you have, herbal preparations may be helpful in relieving symptoms. Some herbs can produce side effects, so consult a health practitioner before starting any new treatments.
Step 1
Take butterbur to reduce mucus from allergic rhinitis and to relieve asthma and bronchitis. Butterbur is available in health food stores in capsules and liquid extract. Add the extract to juice or water and drink. The recommended dose is 500 mg daily. This can be taken in one or two doses daily, depending on your individual needs. Butterbur may cause stomach upsets and drowsiness. Stop taking the herb if symptoms interfere with daily activities. Do not administer butterbur to pregnant women or children. Consult with a health practitioner for additional information.
Step 2
Use Sinupret for the treatment of sinus headaches resulting from allergies, suggests the University of Maryland Medical Center. Sinupret is available in health food stores. One or more of the herbs in Sinupret may produce side effects. If symptoms appear that are different from your original symptoms, stop the remedy. Follow the label directions for dosing, and consult with a health practitioner to confirm that this is the correct treatment for your condition.
Step 3
Take gingko biloba for wheezing and asthma relating to allergies. According to the Traditional Chinese Medicine, or TCM, website, gingko is used for many ailments in Chinese medicine. Gingko is available in liquid and capsules from health food stores. It may produce nausea, headache and diarrhea in certain individuals. If side effects are troublesome, stop taking it. Call your health care practitioner for specific dosing and directions for taking gingko.
Tips and Warnings
- The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that butterbur has been shown to be as effective as Zyrtec and Allegra for the treatment of hay fever, although more research is necessary. Sinupret is a proprietary herbal formula whose properties where shown to be more effective for symptom relief than placebo for the treatment of sinus-related allergic headaches. Sinupret may help boost the immune system and help sinuses to drain more easily, allowing the reduction of pressure causing the headache. The TCM website notes that recently, gingko was discovered to activate the mechanisms causing wheezing by inducing brochoconstriction. As a result, gingko may be helpful in relieving symptoms in asthma sufferers. Additional research is necessary to verify these claims.
- Do not take herbal preparations for allergy symptoms if you are using conventional medicines. A health practitioner or herbalist should always supervise the use of herbal remedies in the case of allergies. If allergy symptoms persist or worsen, stop the treatment immediately and contact your practitioner. If swelling appears in the mouth, lips, tongue or throat, seek medical attention immediately. These are signs of a anaphylaxis and are potentially fatal.
Things You'll Need
- Butterbur
- Sinupret
- Gingko biloba
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