What to know about allergy before treating it with medicinal herbs

Allergies are an overactive immune response to a typically harmless substance, resulting in uncomfortable symptoms such as itching, sneezing, and congestion.

Left untreated, allergies can significantly impact daily life, causing missed work or school days, social isolation, and decreased quality of life. Common allergy causes include environmental factors like pollen, dust mites, and pet dander. Medicinal herbs like nettle leaf, quercetin-rich stinging nettle, and butterbur have natural anti-inflammatory properties that can alleviate symptoms when prepared as teas, tinctures, or capsules.

However, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional before using herbal remedies, especially if you're allergic to certain plants or have underlying medical conditions.

This article explains in detail what allergy is, how it affects your life and what are its causes. Then, it lists what medicinal herbs to use to relieve this problem and how to prepare these herbs to get the best results. Lastly, it revals what other natural remedies to use in conjunction with herbal medicine to aid with this problem.

What is allergy and how it affects your life?

Allergies are a common condition that can significantly impact daily life, causing discomfort, distress, and even danger.

When an individual has an allergy, their body overreacts to a normally harmless substance, such as food, pollen, dust mites, mold, pet dander, or certain medications. This overreaction leads to the release of chemicals like histamine, which cause a range of symptoms including hives, itching, swelling, stomach cramps, diarrhea, and difficulty breathing.

For example, someone with a peanut allergy may break out in hives and experience severe anaphylaxis if they accidentally ingest even a small amount of peanuts, requiring immediate medical attention. Similarly, individuals with seasonal allergies may suffer from constant congestion, itchy eyes, and fatigue during peak pollen seasons, making everyday activities like walking or working outdoors unbearable. Others may experience debilitating reactions to certain foods, such as life-threatening anaphylaxis following ingestion of shellfish or severe stomach cramps after consuming gluten-containing products.

In addition, allergies can also lead to missed work or school days, cancelled social events, and increased reliance on medications, ultimately affecting one's quality of life and overall well-being.

What are the main causes of allergy?

The main causes of allergies are the overreaction of the immune system to certain substances, such as proteins, pollen, dust mites, and pet dander.

This overreaction occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies these harmless substances as harmful invaders, triggering an immune response that leads to the release of histamine and other chemical mediators. These chemicals cause the characteristic symptoms of allergies, including itching, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. In some cases, this reaction can be severe and even life-threatening, as in the case of anaphylaxis.

The main causes of allergies are genetic predisposition, environmental factors such as exposure to allergens at a young age, and changes in the gut microbiome that disrupt the normal functioning of the immune system.

The most common causes of allergy are listed below.

• Peanuts: Peanut allergy is one of the most severe and potentially life-threatening food allergies, causing anaphylaxis in some cases.
• Dust mites: Dust mites are tiny insects that live in bedding, carpets, and upholstered furniture, producing waste that can trigger allergic reactions.
• Pollen: Pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds is a common allergen that causes hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and asthma symptoms.
• Milk: Milk allergy is an immune reaction to one of the proteins in milk, often causing symptoms such as hives, itching, and swelling.
• Eggs: Egg allergy is another common food allergy, triggering reactions like hives, itching, and swelling when egg protein is consumed.
• Tree nuts: Tree nut allergy is similar to peanut allergy, causing anaphylaxis in some cases, especially when the allergenic proteins are ingested.
• Wheat: Wheat allergy is a reaction to one of the proteins in wheat, often manifesting as symptoms like hives, itching, and swelling after consuming baked goods or other wheat products.
• Soy: Soy allergy is an immune response to soy protein, commonly causing symptoms like hives, itching, and swelling when soybeans or soy-based products are consumed.
• Fish: Fish allergy is a reaction to the proteins in fish, often triggering symptoms like hives, itching, and swelling after consuming fish or seafood.
• Sulfa drugs: Sulfa drug allergy is a reaction to certain antibiotics, such as sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Septra), causing symptoms like hives, itching, and difficulty breathing.

What are the best medicinal herbs for allergy?

The best medicinal herbs for allergies are those that soothe and calm the respiratory system, reducing inflammation and congestion.

Lemon balm and lemongrass, both members of the mint family, possess anti-inflammatory properties that ease allergy symptoms such as sneezing and itchy eyes. Fennel's expectorant properties help to loosen mucus, while ginger's anti-inflammatory compounds reduce swelling and itching. Marshmallow root, with its soothing mucilage, coats and calms irritated membranes, providing relief from coughs and congestion.

These herbs can be used individually or in combination to provide natural allergy relief.

The most effective medicinal herbs that help with allergy are listed below.

• Lemon balm: It has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce swelling and itching associated with allergies, and its calming effects can soothe allergic reactions.
• Lemongrass: Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds may help alleviate allergy symptoms by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.
• Fennel: The essential oils in fennel have natural antihistamine properties, which can help relieve itching, sneezing, and congestion associated with allergies.
• Ginger: Ginger's anti-inflammatory compounds may help reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms such as congestion, coughing, and sore throats associated with allergies.
• Marshmallow: The mucilages in marshmallow root may help soothe and protect the respiratory tract, reducing inflammation and irritation caused by allergic reactions.
• Kansas coneflower: It contains anti-inflammatory compounds that may help reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms such as congestion, coughing, and sneezing associated with allergies.
• Licorice: Licorice root's anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce inflammation in the respiratory tract, alleviating symptoms of allergic reactions such as coughing and congestion.
• Dandelion: The antioxidants in dandelion may help neutralize free radicals that contribute to oxidative stress, which can exacerbate allergy symptoms, while its anti-inflammatory compounds may help reduce inflammation.
• Chamomile: Its calming effects can soothe itchy skin, reduce inflammation, and promote relaxation, all of which may help alleviate allergy symptoms.
• Comfrey: Comfrey's anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce swelling and irritation in the respiratory tract, alleviating symptoms of allergic reactions such as coughing and congestion.

What are the most effective herbal preparations for allergy?

The most effective herbal preparations for allergies are a combination of teas, decoctions, tinctures, sprays, and capsules.

Teas and decoctions are excellent ways to relieve allergic symptoms such as congestion and coughing, as they allow the herbs to steep and release their soothing properties into hot water. Tinctures are particularly useful for quick relief from allergy-induced itching and hives, as they can be taken sublingually or added to food and drink.

Herbal sprays are great for topical application, providing instant relief from allergic reactions like redness and inflammation on the skin. Capsules offer a convenient way to consume herbs daily, supporting long-term immune system health and reducing overall allergy severity.

These preparations help alleviate allergies by targeting various aspects of the body's response to allergens, including inflammation, itching, congestion, and immune system function, providing natural and gentle relief from uncomfortable symptoms.

The most used herbal preparations that help with allergy are listed below.

• Teas: This preparation helps with allergies by releasing active compounds into the digestive system, where they can interact with the immune system to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms.
• Decoctions: This preparation helps with allergies by extracting and concentrating the bioactive compounds in the herbs, allowing for a potent dose of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects that can help soothe allergic reactions.
• Tinctures: This preparation helps with allergies by providing a concentrated liquid extract of the herb's active compounds, which can be easily absorbed into the bloodstream to quickly alleviate allergy symptoms.
• Sprays: This preparation helps with allergies by delivering a targeted dose of herbal ingredients directly to the affected areas, such as the nasal passages or skin, where they can quickly reduce inflammation and itching.
• Capsules: This preparation helps with allergies by releasing the herbal active compounds into the bloodstream, where they can interact with the immune system to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms over an extended period.
• Ointments: This preparation helps with allergies by providing a localized delivery of herbal ingredients to the affected skin areas, where they can quickly reduce itching, redness, and swelling associated with allergic reactions.
• Creams: This preparation helps with allergies by moisturizing and soothing the skin while also providing anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects from the herbal active compounds to reduce allergy symptoms.
• Tablets: This preparation helps with allergies by releasing the herbal active compounds into the bloodstream, where they can interact with the immune system to reduce inflammation and alleviate symptoms over an extended period.
• Syrups: This preparation helps with allergies by providing a sweet-tasting liquid extract of herbal ingredients that can be easily taken orally, allowing for quick absorption and relief from allergy symptoms.
• Salves: This preparation helps with allergies by providing a topical delivery of herbal ingredients to the affected skin areas, where they can quickly reduce inflammation, itching, and redness associated with allergic reactions while also moisturizing and soothing the skin.

What precautions to take when using herbal remedies for allergy?

When using herbal remedies for allergies, it's essential to take certain precautions to ensure their safety and effectiveness.

Firstly, consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new herbal supplement, as some herbs can interact with medications or exacerbate underlying conditions. Secondly, choose reputable brands that source high-quality ingredients and follow proper manufacturing processes to minimize contamination risks.

Additionally, be aware of potential allergic reactions to individual herbs or interactions between multiple herbs, and start with small doses to monitor for adverse effects. Finally, note that herbal remedies are not regulated by the FDA like pharmaceuticals, so it's crucial to research the scientific evidence supporting their use and effectiveness in treating allergies.

By taking these precautions, you can minimize risks and maximize benefits when using herbal remedies to alleviate allergy symptoms.

The most important precautions to take when using herbal remedies for allergy are listed below.

• Avoid using herbal remedies that have not been tested for safety and efficacy
• Assess your allergy history and consult a healthcare professional before trying new herbal remedies
• Be cautious when combining herbal remedies with prescription medications
• Choose herbal remedies from reputable sources, such as licensed herbalists or well-known brands
• Consider consulting with a qualified healthcare practitioner for personalized guidance on using herbal remedies
• Determine the correct dosage and preparation method for each herbal remedy
• Don't use herbal remedies if you have a known allergy to plants in the same family
• Educate yourself about potential interactions between herbal remedies and other health conditions or medications
• Ensure that herbal remedies are stored properly to maintain their potency and effectiveness
• Evaluate your body's response to herbal remedies and adjust dosages as needed