Runny nose, cough, itchy eyes are typical symptoms of allergies. If you suffer from it, you are surely equipped with an arsenal of antihistamines. However, it is worth learning about natural ways to alleviate the symptoms of allergy.
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What is an allergy?
Allergy is the action of our immune system against harmless substances, such as dog hair or pollen from trees, which, however, it perceives as a threat. In order to calm the allergic reaction, we use it most often antihistamines with active substances such as loratadine, cetirizine, levocetirizine, dimetindene, fexofenadine. However, you can support their action or alleviate allergy symptoms in a natural way. Sometimes even home remedies are enough and bring the desired effect without resorting to medications. However, natural methods should be approached with caution and preferably after consulting a doctor, as they can also be allergenic in themselves.
What will help?
When a rash appears, the first thing that comes to mind is reaching for calcium. This is a good idea. Calcium will alleviate the symptoms of the skin, but it can also help fight hay fever or tearing from the eyes. However, it is not an antiallergic drug, but only a substance that relieves symptoms. Its action is mainly based on sealing blood vessels, which helps to reduce swelling, e.g. after an insect bite.
Common butterbur (Petasites vulgaris) is a plant that reduces allergies. It works by leukotriene inhibition, i.e. substances of inflammation related to, inter alia, with swelling of the nasal mucosa as well inhibiting the action of histamine. A 2004 study in Scotland by Dr. Brian J. Lipworth compared the effects of butterbur with the allergy medicine Allegra (fexofenadine) and a placebo. It turned out that the plant was as effective as the drug and more effective than the placebo. The study was described in Annals of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. Publications from the following years also showed similar results in terms of allergic rhinitis. It should be emphasized that the use of butterbur did not cause side effects such as drowsiness or excessive silencing of the central nervous system. However, there are no data on the safety of its long-term use.
Kwercetyna belongs to the flavonols (a subgroup of flavonoids). It can be in free or bound form in glycosides such as rutin, hyperoside, and quercitrin. Its antiallergic effect consists, on the one hand, in stopping secretion histamineand on the other hand, to inhibit formation leukotrienes and prostaglandins (pro-inflammatory substances). A 2006 study in Journal of Biological Regulators & Homeostatic Agents indicates that quercetin inhibits the secretion of histamine from mast cells (mast cells – cells of connective tissue and mucous membranes), which alleviates allergic reactions.
Use is also helpful in relieving allergies nettle rich in carotenes, vitamin K and quercetin and timothy meadow (Phleum pratense), which can soothe eye irritation and hay fever. Lemon balm in turn, it will soothe not only the nerves, but also relieve allergic cough.
Other natural methods
Modifying the living environment can also help to protect against allergies. You should take care of reducing the amount of allergens in our environment. Therefore, the rooms should be regularly and carefully ventilated, clean bedding, carpets, furniture, and air mattresses. It is also worth getting a vacuum cleaner from with a HEPA filterwhich catches small allergens so that they do not circulate in the air. A trip to the mountains or the seaside may also be helpful, which is especially important in case of inhalation allergies. In the case of food allergies, it is necessary to introduce an appropriate diet. Check what should be excluded from the menu in the case of allergy to salicylates and allergy to nickel.
Nasal reactions can be relieved by the nose irrigation with a solution of sea salt and sodaor even sprinkling it with seawater. This will allow for proper hydration of the mucosa and its cleansing of allergens. A 2003 study published in Pediatric Allergy and Immunology indicates that the use of nasal irrigation in children 3 times a day reduced allergic symptoms after 3-5 weeks of use. Many people also notice an improvement after reaching for acupuncture. Scientists are divided on the effectiveness of this method. However, it will not hurt to use it.
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