Nettlesome Allergies!
(Page 2 of 4)
August/September 1998
By Karyn Siegel-Maier
Are there natural alternatives to treating seasonal allergies? There are indeed. Adhering to a healthful diet, making any necessary lifestyle changes, and implementing the following herbs can help bring the relief you seek in a safe and effective manner. As with any medication, botanical or otherwise, before pursuing a course of self-treatment, always consult your physician if you are pregnant, nursing a baby, or being treated for any serious condition.
RELATED CONTENT
Prickly edible plant can make for tasty eating, improve the soil nutrients in a garden....
Keeping pets away from poisons, feline vomiting, canine renal failure, the best way to handle and h...
Mother's Herb Garden September/October 1983 Lately, more and more people have begun to understand j...
Lately, more and more people have begun to understand just how limited — in both variety and nutrit...
Nettle (Urtica dioica): Many people swear by nettle for relieving hay fever, including Dr. Weil, who uses the herb himself. In 1990, the National College of Naturopathic Medicine in Portland, Oregon, conducted a double-blind study of the efficacy of a freeze-dried preparation of stinging nettle on allergic rhinitis. The group treated with the nettle preparation fared moderately better than their placebo-treated counterparts. A decoction made of the leaves or roots is said to ease bronchial constriction.
Oddly enough, another species of nettle (U. urens) is quite the allergen in itself. The plant and stinging hairs of this species contain high levels of both leukotrienes and histamine.
Ephedra (Ephedra sinicia): The Chinese species of ephedra, commonly called mahuang, has been used to treat various inflammatory disorders for more than 5,000 years. The active constituent of the herb is ephedrine, an alkaloid proven effective in treating hay fever and even mild to moderate asthma. Today, a synthetic version of this alkaloid, pseudoephedrine, can be found in numerous non-prescription cold and allergy preparations.
Prolonged use of the herb, however, can interfere with adrenal gland function and its therapeutic benefit will decline. For this reason, ephedra is best used in combination with one or more of the herbs suggested here, or under the careful watch of a qualified health care practitioner. It should also be noted that ephedrine raises both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and may be unsuitable for certain individuals.
Angelica (Angelica sinensis): Angelica, also known as dong quai, is another popular herb in Chinese medicine and has a long history of use. Studies on the effects of angelica extract on antibody production reveal a decrease in allergic antibody production levels, which can be up to ten times greater than normal in allergy sufferers. Fewer antibodies result in the reduced production and release of anaphylaxis from mast cells, another mediator akin to histamine. It is believed this action is due to the presence of coumarins.
