Spring Allergies: The Battle Between Pills and Plants

It’s official: springtime is here and with it come not only showers and flowers but also seasonal allergies, a nuisance for millions. We’ll explore the conventional allopathic approach and unveil the potential of herbal solutions, aiming to empower both pharmacists seeking to integrate holistic practices and patients navigating allergy relief. Before we dive into spring allergies, let’s take a step back to learn the underlying mechanisms to different types of allergies.

Understanding Allergies: An Immune System Mishap

Allergy is the result of mistaken identity. An allergen enters the body and is wrongly identified by the immune system as a dangerous substance. In response, the immune system makes antibodies to attack the allergen. These are specific antibodies of the IgE (immunoglobulin E) class [1].

This triggers an inflammatory response, leading to a cascade of symptoms. The severity can range from mild sniffles and itchy eyes to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Here’s a breakdown of some common allergy types

Seasonal Allergies (Hay Fever): Triggered by airborne allergens like pollen, ragweed, and mold spores, causing symptoms like sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes, and congestion.
Food Allergies: The immune system reacts to specific food proteins, leading to symptoms like nausea, vomiting, hives, and even anaphylaxis in severe cases. Common food allergens include peanuts, shellfish, milk, soy, wheat, and eggs.
Dust Mite Allergies: Microscopic dust mites living in bedding and furniture can trigger allergy symptoms year-round, causing congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes.
Pet Allergies: Animal dander (shed skin flakes) from cats, dogs, and other furry friends can cause allergy symptoms like itchy eyes, runny nose, and wheezing.

Allopathic Solutions: The Conventional Approach

Allopathic medicine offers a reliable and well-researched approach to allergy management. Here’s a breakdown of some common medications, categorized by their mechanism of action:

Antihistamines:

Antihistamines are medicines often used to relieve symptoms of allergies, such as hay fever, hives, conjunctivitis and reactions to insect bites or stings.

These come in various forms – oral tablets, nasal sprays, eye drops – and effectively block histamine receptors, providing quick relief from allergy symptoms. First generation antihistamines such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine) are most effective for skin reactions, but the most common side effect is drowsiness, limiting it to bedtime use for most individuals. Allegra (fexofenadine), Zyrtec (cetirizine), and Claritin (loratadine) are alternative over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines. They’re the most commonly recommended for hives, itchy skin, and post-nasal drip [2].

Decongestants:

Decongestants may help shrink swollen tissues in the nose, sinuses, throat, and the space behind the eardrum (middle ear). This may relieve pressure, pain, and stuffiness (congestion).

Medications like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) help shrink swollen nasal passages, easing congestion and stuffiness. However, these can be habit-forming and are not recommended for long-term use [3]. OTC nasal sprays containing these type of decongestants (ex: Afrin or oxymetazoline) are limited to 3 days of use to prevent rebound congestion.

Corticosteroids:

Nasal steroid sprays like fluticasone (Flonase) reduce inflammation in the nasal passages, offering potent relief for chronic allergies.

Fluticasone nasal (nose) spray is a steroid medicine used to prevent and treat symptoms of allergic rhinitis and hay fever, including sneezing, itchy and runny nose, itchy and watery eyes, and a blocked nose. Fluticasone also comes as an inhaler to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and as a cream or ointment for skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis [4].

These medications are typically prescribed for long-term management. However, tolerance can build over time and make the nasal passages more susceptible to infections.

Immunotherapy (Allergy Shots):

This approach involves gradually introducing increasing amounts of the allergen over time, with the goal of desensitizing the immune system and reducing allergic reactions.

Allergy shots are a proven allergy treatment and have been used for more than 100 years. Most insurance plans will cover the cost of allergy shots.

Allergy shots are a long-term treatment that aims to decrease the symptoms of allergies over time. They have been shown to reduce allergy sensitivity and provide lasting relief once treatment has finished [5].

Herbal Solutions: The Natural Approach

While allopathic solutions are undeniably effective, the rise of holistic medicine has led many to explore natural alternatives. Herbs offer a gentler, often side-effect-free approach to managing seasonal allergies. Here are some promising herbal contenders, along with their potential benefits and supporting research:

**Nettle Leaf (*Urtica dioica***):

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is commonly found in Asia, Africa, and Europe and has a long history of being used as food and traditional medicine.

This wonder herb boasts anti-inflammatory properties that can help ease allergy symptoms like hay fever and hives, especially in its encapsulated freeze-dried form.

Nettle extract inhibits key inflammatory processes in allergies by targeting Histamine-1 receptors, mast cell tryptase, and prostaglandin formation. It demonstrates antagonist and negative agonist activity against H(1) receptors, inhibits mast cell tryptase, and blocks COX-1, COX-2, and HPGDS enzymes, offering a mechanistic insight into its anti-inflammatory effects on allergic responses [6].

Quercetin:

Quercetin is the great representative of polyphenols, flavonoids subgroup, flavonols. Its main natural sources in foods are vegetables such as capers and onions, the most studied quercetin containing foods, and broccoli; fruits (apples, berry crops, and grapes); some herbs; tea; and wine.

Quercetin is known for its antioxidant activity in radical scavenging and anti-allergic properties characterized by stimulation of immune system, antiviral activity, inhibition of histamine release, decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokines, leukotrienes creation, and suppresses interleukin IL-4 production [7].

Local Honey:

Honey is made from flower nectar. People have been using honey medicinally for thousands of years. It’s often claimed that honey has antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory qualities[8]

Consuming raw local honey can introduce small amounts of pollen, potentially reducing sensitivity over time. Research suggests it might be just as effective as nasal sprays for seasonal allergies in a Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews study [9]. However, it’s important to note that honey is not safe for infants under one year old due to the risk of infant botulism.

**Butterbur (*Petasites hybridus***):

Petasites hybridus, also known as the butterbur, is a herbaceous perennial flowering plant in the family Asteraceae that is native to Europe and northern Asia. This lesser-known herb has shown promise in reducing allergy symptoms like runny nose and itchy eyes.

Butterbur contains chemicals that might relieve spasms and decrease swelling. Butterbur is used for migraine, hay fever, asthma, and many other conditions, but there is no strong scientific evidence to support most of these uses [10].

**Elderflower (*Sambucus nigra***):

Elderflower has long been utilized in herbal medicine for its potential to support the immune system and alleviate allergy symptoms. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties may aid in soothing the respiratory system, reducing mucus production, and enhancing the body’s natural response to allergens. While specific studies on elderflower’s role in modulating immune responses and preparing the body for allergy season are limited, herbalists often recommend it as a supportive remedy for seasonal allergies.

**Goldenrod (*Solidago spp.***):

Goldenrod, ironically resembling ragweed (Ambrosia), which is infamous for triggering seasonal allergies, actually has antihistamine properties that make it an excellent herb for allergy relief. Goldenrod has anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties that can support the body’s detoxification processes, reduce sinus inflammation, relieve congestion, and enhance histamine tolerance. Some research suggests that the flavonoids and saponins in goldenrod play a role in modulating immune responses to allergens, making it a great option for preparing the body before allergy season begins. Goldenrod typically blooms in late summer to early fall, just as ragweed reaches its peak.

Homeopathic Remedies for Allergies

Homeopathy offers a variety of remedies depending on exact symptoms experienced by an individual, and requires a very detailed case study intake process. Based on a the principle of “like cures like,” the approach is similar to the immunotherapy process described above. A few of the most common remedies for seasonal allergies include allium cepa, arsenicum album, euphrasia officinalis, natrum muriaticum, sabadill and wyethia.

Allopathic Solutions Vs Herbal Solutions:

Both allopathic and herbal solutions offer valuable tools for allergy management. The best approach often depends on the individual’s needs and preferences. Allopathic medications provide fast-acting relief and are well-researched for long-term use.

Herbal remedies can be a gentler, more natural approach for special populations (children, pregnant or breastfeeding, sensitive individuals) and holistically minded folks, but may take longer to show results and have less conclusive scientific backing. Taking herbs ahead of allergy season is even more effective at pre-empting the immune activation and building up resistance before symptoms kick in.

If you’re struggling with allergies, talk to your doctor or a qualified herbalist to create a personalized plan that effectively addresses your symptoms. Remember, this blog is for informational purposes only and should not be a substitute for professional medical advice.

Do you have experience managing allergies with natural remedies? Share your tips in the comments below!

**For quality supplements, visit my Fullscript dispensary to explore a selection of my favorite seasonal allergy support and other natural health products tailored to your needs.

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