Try Natural Herbs To Ease Allergies
Chiropractic EconomicsJune 27, 2013
People suffer from allergies due to certain animals, plants, and foods. Instead of taking prescription medication, you may want to try to get rid of watery eyes, a runny nose, and a scratchy throat naturallywith herbs. Research shows that some herbs seem to calm sniffles and sneezes, although in many cases, more research is needed to determine the true benefits.
Heres a sampling of herbs, herbal nutritional supplements, and foods you may want to try to ease allergy symptoms:
Butterbur. Research shows that butterbur seems to be the best herb in treating allergies. It seems to work as a leukotriene inhibitor, blocking chemicals that cause swelling in your nasal passages. It doesnt cause drowsiness, like a lot of antihistamines. If you buy butterbur supplements, make sure they are labeled UPA-free.
Cayenne peppers. These peppers contain high amounts of quercetin, which prevents the release of histamines and other inflammatory chemicals that can bring on allergy symptoms. Cayenne peppers can also soothe a sore throat.
Chamomile. This herbsanti-inflammatory properties can bring relief to dry, itchy eyes. Instead of consuming it, put wet chamomile tea bags over your eyes for several minutes.
Devils claw. This herb, used to treat allergies, is available in dried or fresh root supplements.
Ginger. This natural pain killer can help soothe a sore throat. It works even better with honey.
Karen Appold is a medical writer in Lehigh Valley, PA.
Butterbur For Migraines & Headaches
Migraines are a serious disorder, affecting over 1 billion people worldwide, including approximately 13% of the adult population in the United States. While migraines are common, they remain difficult to treat, in part due to the wide variety of causes.
Incapacitating, throbbing pain, nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light and/or sound are typical symptoms of migraines. While there are many drugs available to treat the symptoms, they do not work for everyone, and the side effects can be as troublesome as the migraine itself.
Several clinical trials have shown Butterbur to be a natural and highly effective remedy for both the treatment and prevention of migraines.
There are two specific compounds in butterbur believed to combat migraines: Petasin and Isopetasin. The combination of these compounds reduces the symptoms, severity and duration of a migraine. x) . Moreover, regular use of butterbur has been shown to lower the overall incidence of chronic migraines.
Due to its strong analgesic properties, butterbur is a great choice to prevent and relieve tension headaches and migraines.
How Does Butterbur Work
When your body comes into contact with an allergen, it releases the inflammatory chemical leukotriene. Leukotriene is whats responsible for triggering an allergic reaction in your body.
Leukotriene inhibitors block leukotriene and prevent or relieve an allergic reaction. Butterbur seems to act as an LT receptor inhibitor, much like the drug montelukast .
Montelukast can be used to treat nasal allergies. It can also cause severe mental health side effects, so it isnt recommended as an allergy treatment unless there are no other suitable options.
However, researchers havent yet found that butterbur is useful in treating asthma or skin allergies.
Unprocessed butterbur contains chemicals called pyrrolizidine alkaloids . PAs can cause serious liver damage and other illnesses.
However, the National Institutes of Health reports that PA-free butterbur products are safe, effective, and dont cause side effects in most people. They should be taken by mouth in the recommended doses for 12 to 16 weeks. However, it is not known if using butterbur for a long period of time could cause problems.
Most people tolerate butterbur well, but it may cause side effects in some people. Side effects most often affect those who are allergic to plants. Because butterbur is part of the daisy family, you should avoid using it if you are allergic to plants in that family. Side effects may include:
- allergic reactions
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How To Use Butterbur
Butterbur is most commonly found as a supplement in capsule form, and its widely available in most natural health stores, pharmacies and online retailers.
It is also found in some natural medications, such as Petadolex. Petadolex is a medicine containing butterbur that is used to promote blood flow and prevent migraines.
Most studies show that butterbur is most effective when administered at a dosage of 5075 milligrams twice a day. You may want to begin with a smaller amount and gradually increase your intake to assess tolerance.
Keep in mind that some products containing butterbur may also contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids , a type of chemical that can cause damage to the liver as well as other adverse side effects. If you have liver problems, avoid raw butterbur and look for butterbur PA-free products to avoid this harmful chemical.
Additionally, make sure to look for a reputable brand with minimal added ingredients to ensure youre getting the best possible quality.
The butterbur plant in dried or extract form can also be used to make an allergy-fighting tea.
Here is a recipe for butterbur tea that you can try:
Butterber Tea
- 1 teaspoon dried butterbur root
- Water
- Raw honey, stevia, or maple syrup
DIRECTIONS:
Selection Preparation & Storage
Butterbur is sold in a variety of formulations, including capsules, softgels, powders, tinctures, and teas. There are a number of patented extract forms of butterbur, including Petadolex, which contains no less than 15% petasins. The same formulation has been used in many migraine trials.
Again, only those products labeled or certified as PA-free should be used to avoid the potentially harmful chemicals found naturally in the butterbur plant but removed during processing.
Read Also: Allergy Medication Cetirizine
Modern Studies And Research On Butterbur
In a 2004 study from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, 222 people who experienced 2 to 6 migraines each month stopped their regular medications and took 50 to 75 milligrams of butterbur or a placebo twice daily for 16 weeks. The butterbur group reported a reduction of between 36 and 48 percent in the number of migraines they experienced. German researchers from the University of DuisburgEssen reported in 2004 that 45 percent of volunteers there experienced a 50 percent or greater reduction in migraines.
In a large 2005 study conducted at the Allergy Clinic in Landquart, Switzerland, of 330 people with allergies, a butterbur extract was as effective as a commonly prescribed antihistamine at easing all of those annoying symptoms. The bonus? Butterbur users didnt feel sleepy or sedated the way those who took this type of antihistamine did.
In another Swiss study of 580 allergy sufferers, 90 percent enjoyed symptom relief while taking butterbur for 2 weeks during allergy season. And 8 in 10 said the herb made everyday life easier as a result.
Piping Rock Health Products Butterbur Extract
Piping Rock makes a butterbur extract supplement that is standardized to contain 15% petasins and isopetasins. It comes in quick-release capsules for optimum absorption.
Specs
- Great price
Who Makes It?
Piping Rock was founded in 2011 by Arthur, Scott, and Michael Rudolphthree generations of the same family. They are passionate about making products that enable people to live healthier lives.
Bottom Line
This is a great butterbur supplement that is affordable. Some customers report that it is less effective though.
| Where to Get It |
| Buy on Pipingrock.com |
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Butterbur Worked For Me
Frankly, I was amazed. We were trapped under an inversion with super low cloudsdays I would have usually been sufferingand I felt perfectly fine. I was taking one tablet containing 50 mg of butterbur root extract three times a day.
Absolutely no antihistamines. And no headaches.
I kept mum for awhile, afraid it was a fluke. I waited one week, two. The effects continued. Its now been about six weeks, and I can say with confidence that like the participants in the studies mentioned above, I have experienced at least a 75 percent reduction in headaches. Ive had exactly one since I started, and that one lasted about half as long as mine usually do.
Maybe you can see why Im so excited to spread the word about this supplement!
Scottish Study Confirms Butterburs Efficacy
At roughly the same time that Dr. Schapowal and his colleagues were studying butterburs efficacy compared to Allegra® in Switzerland, another research team was evaluating and comparing the two at the University of Dundee in Scotland.
In that trial, 16 patients suffering from symptoms caused by allergic reaction to dust mites received one week of therapy with 100 mg of butterbur daily, 180 mg of fexofenadine daily, or placebo. The study purposely was conducted outside Scotlands pollen seasons in order to eliminate potentially confounding environmental allergens.
Following one week of treatment, both objective and subjective measurements showed that butterbur and fexofenadine significantly improved symptoms of rhinitis compared to placebo. Butterbur performed slightly better than fexo-fenadine in a test of the patients response to a spray that triggered nasal congestion.
We were able to demonstrate significant improvement in the total nasal symptom score with both butterbur and fexofenadine compared to placebo, wrote study author Dr. Daniel K. Lee. Our results demonstrated that both butterbur and fexofenadine were equally effective, compared to placebo, in attenuating the nasal response to challenge in addition to improving nasal symptoms in patients with perennial allergic rhinitis.8
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Butterbur: The Herb That Relieves Allergies Migraines & More
Seasonal allergies are often accompanied by a flurry of unpleasant symptoms. Sneezing, sniffling and itchy, uncomfortable eyes are just a few of the irksome side effects that come with the season. If youre like most, youve probably desperately reached for the antihistamines to find quick relief from your allergies only to experience added symptoms like drowsiness, dry mouth or nausea. Fortunately, there are natural allergy remedies, like butterbur, which can help prevent symptoms without the unpleasant side effects.
Butterbur is good for more than just allergy season, though. It can be used year-round to relieve inflammation, prevent migraines, reduce asthma symptoms, and even protect the brain and heart from damage. In the past, it was also used as a traditional treatment to help heal wounds, reduce urinary tract infection symptoms and fight off fevers.
Available in a convenient capsule form, adding butterbur to your medicine cabinet can make a big impact on your health and may even reduce your need for other medications.
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Natural Remedies For Allergies: What Works
Allergies occur when the body mistakes a normally harmless substance as a danger, called an allergen. If you experience seasonal allergies or hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, you’re likely allergic to pollen. A pollen allergy can trigger a host of bothersome symptoms, such as sneezing, a runny or stuffy nose, or itchy eyes, mouth or skin. There are many allergy medications available that can help ease allergy symptoms, but some people prefer to use natural remedies for seasonal allergies.
How Much Butterbur Should You Take
It is always best to take the smallest dose that is effective. A typical dose is about 50mg. When taking butterbur for allergies you want to make it contains 7.5-8mg of petasins.
Depending on your symptoms you may need to take it 2-3 times a day. There was a study based on doses. The study found improved relief with taking a dose of 3 times a day versus 2 times a day.
Some take butterbur up to 4 times a day for a few weeks and then start to decrease the dose after symptoms improve.
I take NOW brand of butterbur but it also has feverfew. Feverfew could help with migraines. I suffer from mild allergies and occasional migraines. My husband has severe allergies. We both take this when needed and have had no side effects.
I dont take it regularly only for a few weeks at a time when I am having issues with allergies or headaches. My husband has taken it pretty regularly for several years.
Read Also: Antihistamines Hypertension
Quercetin With Bromelain Now Foods Eigenschappen:
Quercetin with Bromelain Now Foods kenmerken:
- 400mg Quercetine
** Referentie-inname van een gemiddelde volwassene .
Rijstebloem, cellulose , cellulose poeder, magnesiumstearaat en silicium.
- Gebruik:
Neem 2 capsules 20 minuten voor de maaltijd, 2 tot 3 maal daags. Personen met een gevoelige maag kunnen de voorkeur hebben aan capsules innemen met een maaltijd.
- Waarschuwingen:
Een voedingssupplement is geen vervanging voor een gevarieerde voeding. Dit supplement is niet geschikt voor personen beneden de 18 jaar. Aanbevolen dagdosering niet overschrijden. Neem contact op met een arts bij zwangerschap, het gebruik van medicijnen of een medische aandoening.
- Dit profiel is gemaakt door en eigendom van Body Supplies – Koperhoek 142 – 3162 LA Rhoon.
- Hoeveelheid:
** Referentie-inname van een gemiddelde volwassene .
Rijstebloem, hypromellose , microkristallijne cellulose, magnesiumstearaat en siliciumdioxide.
- Gebruik:
Neem 2 capsules 20 minuten voor de maaltijd, 2 maal daags. Personen met een gevoelige maag kunnen de voorkeur hebben aan capsules innemen met een maaltijd.
- Allergenen:Geproduceerd in een fabriek waar allergenen worden verwerkt.
- Waarschuwingen:
Een voedingssupplement is geen vervanging voor een gevarieerde voeding. Dit supplement is niet geschikt voor personen beneden de 18 jaar. Aanbevolen dagdosering niet overschrijden. Neem contact op met een arts bij zwangerschap, het gebruik van medicijnen of een medische aandoening.
What The Studies Show
If you are currently taking an antihistamine but hate the side effects butterbur may be as effective. There is a study on butterbur and cetirizine. The study showed similar improvements with both cetirizine and butterbur. Both were tolerated well. Also, cetirizine is classified as a nondrowsy medication for allergies but 2/3 of the side effects reported were related to drowsiness from cetirizine.
If you want extra help sleeping medication like cetirizine may be helpful. But many people find the effects last into the next day or make it difficult to wake up.
In this study butterbur taken morning and night was as effective as fexofenadine. Fexofenadine and butterbur were compared to a placebo. Both were equally effective at relieving nasal allergy symptoms compared to the placebo.
There is one disadvantage, to get relief equal to that of allergy medication butterbur is usually taken more often. Typically, it is taken morning and night but another dose can be taken in the middle of the day to help relieve symptoms.
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Allergy Headaches I Tried Butterburit Helps
Ive suffered from allergies for years, but its only been in the last decade or so that theyve manifested into painful and frequent migraine headaches.
Spring, summer, fall, winterdoesnt matter.
For the longest time, regular over-the-counter antihistamines worked fine for me, but then came the day when the regular dosage just wasnt touching my headaches anymore. I went to the allergy doctor. He gave me two choicesmore antihistamines, or allergy shots. Oh, and after a year of going into the doctor to get a shot three times a week, I had like a 50 percent chance of feeling any better.
I chose the extra antihistamines. For awhile, taking two a day worked, but then I needed more, and more, and pretty soon the side effects were catching up with me. One day, I decided enough was enough, and I stopped.
It was nice to be rid of the fatigue, brain fog, and antihistamine-induced couple pounds of extra weight , but I still had my allergy headaches to contend with.
Well, there are some advantages to being a health writer. I had often researched natural solutions to allergy headaches, but had yet to find one that really helped. Now, Im happy to say I have! Its called butterbur.
What Have We Learned
- Butterbur appears to help reduce the frequency of migraines in adults and children. In 2012, the American Academy of Neurology recommended its use for preventing migraines. However, the Academy stopped recommending it in 2015 because of serious concerns about possible liver toxicity.
- Some studies of butterbur root or leaf extracts suggest that they may be helpful for symptoms of hay fever , but the data are not convincing.
- One study suggested that a combination product containing butterbur might improve anxiety and depression in people with somatoform disorders.
- Butterbur has not been proven helpful for allergic skin reactions, chronic obstructive bronchitis, insomnia, upset stomach, urinary tract symptoms, asthma, and other conditions.
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Allergy Assistance From Rosmarinic Acid
In addition to butterbur, another efficacious herb for the treatment of the immune response to allergens has come under examination. Studies have found that rosmarinic acid can reduce the symptoms of an allergic response. Rosmarinic acid is a polyphenol found in a number of plants in the Lamiaceae familyincluding basil, mint, perilla leaf, rosemary, and sage. Rosmarinic acid acts in response to allergies via a mechanism very different from that of butterbur. Instead of reducing inflammation and quieting spasms in affected airways, rosmarinic acid prevents the activation of immune responder cells and induces cell death in already activated responder cells.13 What is remarkable is rosmarinic acids ability to kill off only unneeded allergy-activated T-cells triggered by the bodys immune response, while sparing the vast numbers of T-cells required to ward off bacteria, viruses, and other invaders.14 Antihistamines, by contrast, have no ability to act on and destroy excessive immune cells.15
Anterior portion of the nasal cavity. The pale, swollen nasal membranes suggest allergic rhinitis.
In 2004, a team of Japanese researchers documented how daily treatment with rosmarinic acid extract prevented allergic asthma caused by house mites in laboratory mice.16
