How to Deal With Allergies Without Drugs

As I write this, it’s springtime in North Carolina.

And with spring comes all kinds of change.

Baby animals are being born, the sun stays out longer, and, of course, plant pollen is out in force!

For some people, that doesn’t mean much. For others, it’s the start of “allergy season.”

Allergy season is an inglorious time because even though everything is springing to life, allergy sufferers feel like they're dying a mini-death. They can’t fully enjoy the season without feeling congested, stuffy, and blurry-eyed.

The good news is that, in the 21st century, we have some amazing pharmaceutical options to help combat the negative effects of allergy season.

Amazingly many of them are quite effective and low risk.

Yet, plenty of people would prefer not to use synthetic chemicals to treat allergies. That's why I’m going to write an article on some of the more natural ways to treat allergies.

You can leverage nature to battle nature to enjoy spring fully.

Let’s dive into this!

Natural Ways to Treat Allergies

You can do so many things to help fight allergies that I couldn’t discuss them all.

That said, I’m going to provide a “fly-over” of the options available so that you can get a good sense of what will work (and what won’t).

1 - Supplements:

We’re so used to taking a pill to treat what ails us that it’s not odd to think of using supplements to get over allergies.

There are numerous ones that can help, and it will ultimately take experimentation to see if any of these help you (individual results vary).

Avoid a trip to the pharmacy by using these natural remedies to combat allergies

• Quercetin: This compound helps prevent the release of inflammatory agents that cause allergy symptoms. The recommended dosage is 500 mg, three times daily.
  
  
• Bromelain: This enzyme, derived from pineapple, can halt allergic reactions and reduce tissue swelling. Take 500 mg three times daily.
  
  
• Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica): Studies suggest it's as effective as conventional allergy medications. Dosage: 200 mg three times daily.
  
  
• NAC (N-acetyl cysteine): Used in Europe to reduce congestion and thin mucus. Dosage: 500 mg three times daily. Ortho Molecular’s D-Hist combines NAC with quercetin, bromelain, and vitamin C for convenience (only available in our patient store).
  
  
• Omega-3 Fish Oil: Contains EPA, which has anti-inflammatory effects. Dosage: 1,000 mg three times daily.
  
  
• Vitamin C: Acts as a natural antihistamine. Dosage: 500 mg three times daily.
  
  
• Vitamin D: Research indicates it may protect against allergic diseases like asthma and eczema.
  
  
• Butterbur (Petadolex): Known for migraine relief and its effectiveness against leukotrienes, butterbur has been shown to match the efficacy of Zyrtec. Dosage: 50 mg three times daily
  
  
• Probiotics: Studies, like those on Yakult (a Japanese sweetened probiotic milk beverage) containing Lactobacillus casei, demonstrate that balancing gut bacteria can relieve allergic symptoms.
  
  
• Pycnogenol: An extract from French maritime pine bark, proven to alleviate symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Dosage: 50-100 mg twice daily.
  
  
• MSM (methylsulfonylmethane): May prevent allergic reactions in tissues. Dosage: 1 gram three times daily.
  
  
• Transfer Factor: Derived from colostrum, it balances immune responses by normalizing TH1/TH2 ratios. Dosage: 250-500 mg twice daily.
  
  
• Sulforaphane: Found in broccoli, this compound helps combat allergy effects intensified by air pollution.
  
  
• Xlear: This nasal spray with xylitol inhibits microbes and dissolves biofilms, aiding mucus clearance.
  
  
• Similasan: Homeopathic eye drops are used to relieve itchy and red eyes.

This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it does cover some of the more well-studied supplements.

2 - HEPA Filters:

What you may not realize is that the air in our homes can often be filled with just as many, or more, particles of pollen than the air outside. This is why using a HEPA filter in the home can help with allergies.

There are small HEPA filters that you can use in rooms or whole home systems (though those can be expensive).

3 - Cleaning Up Your Diet:

Like many things in health, diet is a foundational component, and challenges with allergies can absolutely be related to diet.

Melissa Young of the Cleveland Clinic has said that fixing your diet can help rapidly improve your allergies.

You may not realize it, but over 70% of your immune system is actually situated within your digestive tract.

And the nutrients you ingest play a critical role in supporting the diverse ecosystem of microbes in your gut. By focusing on gut health, you're equipping your immune system to handle allergens more effectively.

Dr. Young emphasizes the impact of our dietary choices, stating, "Our diets are frequently filled with processed foods and those grown with pesticides and herbicides. Opting for clean, organic options can greatly reduce our exposure to toxins that potentially disrupt immune function."

That disruption can be part of what causes severe allergies.

One of the best ways to determine whether diet is involved in your allergies is to follow an elimination diet, which could help identify specific foods that are causing inflammation.

It’s been theorized that leaky gut, which results from problematic foods in the diet, can also aggravate seasonal allergies. Dr. Young adds, "There might also be connections between certain foods and pollen types. The key is to identify these relationships."

I’m always a fan of improving gut function, and as it may help with allergies, I can’t find a good reason not to focus on cleaning up your diet.

4 - Use Essential Oils:

Not only can essential oils impact mental health and fight bacteria, but they may also help with allergies.

Here’s a list of oils that could help:

Peppermint: Known to reduce inflammation, peppermint oil can aid breathing when diffused or applied topically with a carrier oil. It is particularly effective when combined with lavender and lemon oils, though it increases sun sensitivity when used with citrus oils.

Lavender: Lavender is praised for its calming and anti-inflammatory effects, which may reduce allergic inflammation and mucous cell enlargement. It can be used effectively in a diffuser or diluted for a bath.

Blend of Sandalwood, Frankincense, and Ravensara: This oil mix has been shown to help with perennial allergic rhinitis, improving symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, and sneezing. These oils can be mixed with a carrier oil for skin application or diffused.

Lemon: Lemon essential oil can clear sinuses, reduce congestion, and alleviate common allergy symptoms. It can also be diffused to boost energy or diluted and applied topically to help with allergies.

Use Medicine When Needed:

Many people will find that these therapies will help them deal with allergies.

But it doesn’t mean medicines don’t and can’t help.

The most important thing is knowing you have options outside of what’s on the pharmacy shelves.