Herbs for Allergies: Nothing to Sneeze At
Pollen, animal dander, dust mites, and mold can all cause airborne allergies. The immune system mistakes these normally harmless substances for dangerous invaders. We then produce antibodies that are always alert for that particular allergen. When exposed to the allergen again, these antibodies can release several immune system chemicals, such as histamine, that cause allergy symptoms.
A honey bee on a gumweed flower
Allergic symptoms include congestion, runny nose or eyes, postnasal drip, fatigue, sneezing, conjunctivitis, and itchy nose, throat, and eyes. Sometimes allergies can feel like getting a common cold. We can also look for eczema, sinusitis, ear or lung infections, and “allergic shiners”, dark circles under the eyes caused by increased blood flow near the sinuses. People are more likely to develop allergies when they are young, have a family history of allergies, have asthma, or develop food allergies.
Treating Airborne Allergies
Luckily, we have many natural remedies that are effective for allergies, including herbs, essential oils, supplements, diet, and lifestyle changes.
Herbs for Allergies: Many herbs can help reduce allergic responses. The list below includes herbs that support the healthy function of the respiratory system, anti-inflammatories, astringents, and pain relievers. Other categories including expectorants and decongestants follow. Essential Oils and Hydrosols: can also be used for allergies. They can be used in a diffuser, as inhalation, as a steam, or as a chest rub (use a total of 5- 10 drops total of essential oils in 1 ounce of vegetable oil such as cold pressed virgin olive oil. Hydrosols can be used undiluted.)
Herbs: Aspen (Populus tremuloides), Elecampane (Inula helenium), Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) please use cultivated only, Goldenrod (Solidago spp.), Gumweed (Grindelia spp.), Nettles (Urtica dioica), Oxeye daisy (Leucanthemem vulgare), Ragweed (Ambrosia spp.), Rose (Rosa spp.) petals, Stone root (Collinsonia canadensis), Turmeric (Curcuma longa), Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californica)
Essential Oils: Blue Tansy (Tanacetum annuum), Cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), Eucalyptus spp., German chamomile (Matricaria chamomile), Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), Mrytle (Myrtus comminus), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Rosemary verbenone (Rosmarinus officinalis), Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Hydrosols: can also be very effective, especially if treating the primary site such as the lungs: Mrytle (Myrtus comminus) or Rock rose (Cistus landaniferus)
Goldenrod is an excellent native herb for allergies.
Expectorants: Help move foreign particles up and out of the lungs by helping the body produce mucus more effectively and sometimes thinning thick mucus.
Herbs: Balsamroot (Balsamorhiza sagittata), Elecampane (Inula helenium), Gumweed (Grindelia spp.), Horehound (Marrubium vulgare), Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), Poplar bud (Populus spp.)
Expectorant Essential Oils: Basil (Ocimum basilicum), Benzoin (Styrax benzoin), Bergamot (Citrus bergamia), Cedarwood (Juniperus virgiana or Cedrus doedara), Eucalyptus spp., Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), Marjoram (Origanum majorana), Myrrh (Commiphora spp.), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Sandalwood (Santalum album) please use cultivated only
Decongestants: reduce congestion and mucus production. This can help reduce the possibility of an opportunistic infection.
Herbs: Horehound (Marrubium vulgare), Mormon tea (Ephedra nevadensis and several other species), Nettles (Urtica dioica), Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon californica)
Decongestant Essential Oils: Eucalyptus spp., Lavender (Lavandula spp.), Peppermint (Mentha piperita), Ravinsara (Ravensara aromatica), Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Several species of eucalyptus are useful for congestion and allergies
Supplements:
Vitamin C with flavonoids: 250mg - 500mg 3 times per day
Bromelain 250-500mg between meals
Quercetin: 400-500mg 3 times a day between meals
Diet:
Avoid mucus-producing foods such as dairy, sugar, wheat, oats, barley, and rye.
A dietary cleanse early in the spring, before allergies begin, will help reduce allergic symptoms by lessening the overall load on the body. This enables the body to have extra resources to process and eliminate allergens. A cleanse can entail eating simple, whole foods and avoiding processed foods, sugars, alcohol, preservatives, food colorings, added chemicals, etc.
I have seen liver flushes in the early spring work wonders for allergies (see the recipe below).
An elimination diet can also be helpful to see if there might be foods causing allergic reactions.
Lifestyle:
We can assess the products we use on our bodies and around our homes that might add to our ill health such as synthetic fragrances, herbicides, pesticides, plastics, air fresheners, cleaning products (switch to simple green products), laundry detergents, etc. Switch to natural and non-toxic body care products, including makeup, shampoo, soaps, toothpaste, and anything else you use on your skin.
Elecampane is an excellent expectorant and easy to grow in the garden.
Herbal Formulas for Allergies:
Liver Flush:
1 cup fresh citrus juice (not grapefruit)
1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Dash Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
Dash Cayenne (Capsicum annuum)
1 Clove Garlic (Allium sativum)
Drink this blend first thing in the morning for 7 - 10 days. An hour after drinking, then follow it with two cups of an herbal mineral tea blend with herbs such as raspberry, dandelion, burdock, nettles, red clover, horsetail, peppermint, oat seed, and alfalfa. Wait another 1/2 hour then eat whole food. Rest for 3 days, then start again if desired. You can do this process up to 3 times.
AllergEase
3 oz Yerba Santa tincture (Eriodictyon californica)
2 oz Ragweed tincture (Ambrosia spp.)
1.5 oz Fresh Nettles tincture (Urtica dioica)
1.5 oz Burdock root tincture (Arctium lappa)
1 oz Oregon grape root tincture (Mahonia spp.)
1 oz Vegetable glycerin
This is a popular tincture formula that we created when we owned Meadowsweet Herbs. Add Yerba Santa with the vegetable glycerin in a jar and mix well. Add each additional tincture to the blend, mixing well. Store in a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Label with the date made and all ingredients.
Dosage: 60-90 drops up to 5 times a day for allergies and allergic reactions. Warning: this formula does not work for anaphylaxis.
Deep Breath Oil
10 drops Peppermint (Mentha piperita) essential oil
10 drops Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus radiata) essential oil
10 drops Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus) essential oil
5 drops Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) essential oil
5 drops Thyme linalool (Thymus vulgaris) essential oil
Combine all essential oils in a dark-colored glass bottle with a tight-fitting lid.
To Use: 5- 10 drops of this formula can be put in a humidifier, steam inhalation, essential oil diffuser, spray bottle (with water), or added to a tablespoon of vegetable oil and rubbed on the chest and back. Do not take this formula orally.
I have seen herbs, supplements, and modifications to diet and lifestyle make an enormous difference for people with airborne allergies. Now take a deep breath, friend, and enjoy your time in the sun!