Allergy is a common disorder that affects about 50 million Americans, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. There are several types of allergic disorders, including asthma, seasonal allergy or hay fever, hives and allergic conjunctivitis. Quercetin combined with bromelain is an herbal remedy for allergy, as is stinging nettle. Discuss these traditional treatments with your doctor to decide what might be helpful for you.
Causes and Symptoms
An allergy develops when your immune system overreacts to an otherwise harmless foreign substance such as pollen or a component of food, causing immune cells to produce antibodies that trigger the allergic reaction. While the symptoms differ somewhat depending on the type of allergy, in general you may experience nasal irritation, swelling of the nasal or bronchial passages, sneezing, eye irritation or itchy bumps on your skin. In rare cases, the reaction may be extreme and life-threatening, especially if you are allergic to certain foods or insect venom. This is called anaphylaxis, a reaction during which you might become light-headed or short of breath, lose consciousness or stop breathing.
Quercetin with Bromelain
Quercetin is a natural plant pigment called a flavonoid that is found in many fruits and vegetables and has antioxidant activity, protecting your cells from potentially damaging free radicals. It is also anti-inflammatory, suppressing enzymes involved in triggering production of immune chemicals such as histamine, a major factor in allergic reactions. Quercetin is often combined with bromelain, which has useful medicinal properties and may also increase your body's absorption of quercetin. Bromelain is a protein-digesting enzyme that is a natural component of pineapples and a recognized anti-inflammatory treatment in Europe. It helps lessen mucus production in your nasal passages and also reduces sinus inflammation and swelling associated with hay fever and other allergic disorders.
Stinging Nettle
The stinging nettle plant, or Urtica dioica, has been part of herbal medicine for centuries. Its leaves, roots and stems contain compounds with biological activity, including flavonoids, amines and other natural chemicals. One of these components, scopoletin, is anti-inflammatory and may help reduce your body's production of histamine during an allergic reaction. In a clinical trial published in "Planta Medica" in 1990, subjects will allergic rhinitis consumed nettle for one week and experienced improved symptoms compared to a placebo group.
Recommendations
Quercetin with bromelain is available as a supplement in capsules from health food stores. Stinging nettle is also available from health food stores, as loose leaf for making tea or in capsules. Quercetin, bromelain and nettle are all considered safe, although nettle may cause mild stomach upset. Do not take any of these supplements if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. In addition, each may interact with certain prescription medications, including blood thinners, steroids, chemotherapy drugs and blood pressure medicines. Talk to your doctor before consuming one or more of these herbal remedies.
References
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology: Allergic Reactions: Tips to Remember
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Quercetin
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Quercetin
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Bromelain
- NCBI; Randomized, Double-Blind Study of Freeze-Dried Urtica Dioica in the Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis; P. Mittman; February 1990
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Stinging Nettle
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Nettle
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