Allergic reactions to substances in the air, such as pollen, affect approximately 35 million people in the United States, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Pollen allergy, also known as hay fever, can cause upper respiratory tract symptoms, including sneezing, watery eyes, itchy throat, and nose and nasal congestion. Herb supplements such as nettle and eyebright are taken by some hay fever sufferers in an attempt to reduce these symptoms. Ask your physician which herbal remedies are appropriate for you.
Nettle
Stinging nettle, or Urtica dioica, gets its name from the burning sensation it causes on bare skin when touched. This plant is a long-time herbal remedy for airborne allergies. Nettle supplements can be purchased in various forms, including extract, capsules, tea and freeze-dried leaf, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center, UMMC. Fresh leaves can also be brewed as a tea, but use heavy gloves if handling the raw plant. Consult a qualified healthcare provider before adding nettle to your regimen.
Eyebright
Herbalists use eyebright, or Euphrasi officinalis, to treat eye infections and irritations. This annual herb grows close to the ground and produces daisy-like white flowers. Its young leaves can be eaten in salads. According to the Plants for a Future website, eyebright is anti-inflammatory and astringent, but only the species of eyebright that have glandular calyx hairs are useful medicinally. It is traditionally taken internally for coughs, hay fever, and sinus infections. For ophthalmic symptoms, the tea or plant juice can applied directly to the eyes. Talk to your doctor before using eyebright.
Scientific Research
There have been few studies on the usefulness of nettle for allergy symptoms. The UMMC reports that one clinical trial indicated that nettle capsules can relieve some hay fever symptoms. Scientists speculate that nettle can lessen the body's production of histamine, but more research is necessary to ascertain its chemical action. Freeze-dried nettle compounds may be helpful for hay fever, especially if you start taking them before the pollen season begins, according to the UMMC. In a 2003 study published in ""Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology," researchers conducted a clinical trial to test eye drops containing eyebright for conjunctivitis, whether viral, bacterial or caused by irritation. Scientists found the drops relieved the symptoms of 95 percent of patients. The researchers recommend a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of eyebright in the future.
Safety
The UMMC cautions against ingesting nettle if you are pregnant. Nettle may interact with prescription medicines, including anti-coagulants, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers and diabetic drugs. It also has diuretic properties, which may amplify any diuretic medication you currently take. More than ten drops of eyebright tincture can cause cough, constipation and headache, according to the "Handbook of Medicinal Herbs."
References
- Plants for a Future: Euphrasi Officinalis
- "Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology"; Review of Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Treatment of Ocular Allergies; L. Bielory, et al.; October 2003
- "The Handbook of Medicinal Herbs"; James A. Duke; 2002
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases: Airborne Allergies
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Stinging Nettle
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