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There are many dietary supplements being promoted as treatments for hay fever, many of them worth trying. Unfortunately, what works for one person doesn’t necessarily work for another. Furthermore, only a few of these remedies have been subjected to enough scientific study to determine whether they work for anyone. Consequently, if you want to use the supplement approach, you’ll probably have to do some self-experimentation. Still, many of these herbal remedies and extracts have a long history of usage and have developed reputations that shouldn’t merely be discounted. So we do have some information to go on in choosing which supplements to try first — we have both anecdotal information from traditional usage, and a small amount of scientific information from recent medical studies. A quick search of the Internet for hay fever remedies turned up the following dietary supplements:
This list is too long to evaluate completely in this article, but I have included it for those who have the time, money, and motivation to embark on a long-term process of self-experimentation to find regimens that are effective for their particular allergies. Generally speaking, supplements that act as anti-inflammatories stand a good chance of relieving hay fever symptoms to some extent. The largest such category would be the antioxidants, a number of which appear in the above list. From this list I have selected a shorter list of ‘first choices’ that might serve as a starting point for a program of self-experimentation. First choices
Now I will say briefly why I think these particular substances are good candidates for being allergy remedies. Antioxidants. These are substances that neutralize so-called ‘reactive oxygen species’ (ROS). ROS are chemically reactive molecules that are produced in the body as byproducts of metabolism, injury, or that enter the body from the outside. They are also generated when the immune system malfunctions, as in allergic ailments. ROS molecules damage the cells of the body, and they cause inflammation of tissues. Putting the logical pieces together: inflammation is a cause of hay fever symptoms; ROS molecules are a cause of inflammation; antioxidants are a neutralizer of ROS; therefore, antioxidants are good candidates for alleviating the symptoms of hay fever. It may be necessary to try a number of different antioxidants to find some that benefit you during a hay fever attack. I recommend starting with Licorice root, Quercetin, Rosmarinic acid, and Vitamin C, because they are already on the list of supplements commonly used for this purpose. Other antioxidants that are readily available would include: Genistein, trans-Ferulic Acid, N-Acetyl Cysteine, alpha-Lipoic Acid, Beta Carotene, BHT, Carnosine, Copper Sebacate, Idebenone, Lycopene, Melatonin, Pine Bark Extract, Quercetin, Silymarin, Sodium Selenate, Curcumin (turmeric extract), and Vitamin E. Quercetin. A bioflavonoid found in red wine, green tea, onions, and a variety of fruits and vegetables, quercetin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities that protect cellular structures and blood vessels from free radical damage. Quercetin inhibits the production and release of histamine and other inflammatory substances. Its bioavailability is more than 36% and can be increased further by combining it with bromelain or piperine. Its half-life is more than 20 hours, which means that twice-a-day dosage keeps blood levels fairly even. Rosmarinic acid. Found in rosemary and other related plants, rosmarinic acid is a ‘polyphenolic’ substance with antioxidant properties. Its traditional uses include treating inflammatory diseases. I have personally used LifeLink’s Rosmarinic Acid Complex to treat a chronic runny nose that was associated with eating foods — both mild and spicy — and was surprised to find that the ailment disappeared within a week or so, even though I’d lived with it for almost 10 years. Since I don’t suffer from hay fever, I can’t personally vouch for Rosmarinic Acid’s effectiveness in that application, but recent research does support its traditional usage for that purpose. Astragalus root. Astragalus is a traditional treatment for allergies in China and Korea. No scientific clinical trials have been done to test this treatment, but recent work at KyungHee University has shown that astragalus alters the immune system’s production of signalling molecules in a manner that would explain its long-standing reputation for alleviating allergies. Devil’s Claw root. This is a traditional treatment in southern Africa for sores, pain, and other ailments. Devil’s Claw is now known to contain anti-inflammatory substances called ‘iridoid glycosides’, which may account for its modern usage in ameliorating arthritis and allergies.
Spirulina blue-green algae. This traditional protein source has recently been shown to act as an antihistamine in the body. Very recent studies in China and in the United States have shown a remarkable ability to treat hay fever in rats, and have provided a partial explanation for this phenomenon. In view of the good safety profile and affordable price, this supplement seems very worth trying during hay fever season. Lactobacillus acidophilus. These bacteria are found in the human digestive tract in large numbers, and are routinely added to yogurt and other milk products. They produce an enzyme that converts the sugar glucose into lactose. Since 1997 there have been several research studies that support the use of various strains of Lactobacillus as a treatment for hay fever. One such strain is Lactobacillus acidophilus which, as luck would have it, is readily available as a supplement. Licorice root. This is a traditional remedy for allergies and many other ailments both in Eastern and Western medicine. Licorice root contains unusual antioxidants such as glycyrrhizin, retrochalcones, and glabridin which may account in part for its documented activity against inflammatory conditions. Chinese skullcap root — another herbal antioxidant with traditional usage as an allergy treatment. Skullcap root is often combined with stinging nettle to treat hay fever. There are no published studies in western scientific literature of this herbal remedy for hay fever, but its reputation in Chinese medicine is strong enough to suggest that it could be effective. Stinging nettle leaves — still another herbal antioxidant with traditional usage as an allergy treatment. Nettle is often combined with Chinese skullcap root in treating hay fever. Again, hardly any published studies of these effects exist in Western medical literature, but I tend to believe in nettle’s effectiveness because of its reputation in Chinese medicine. Vitamin C. You can hardly go wrong in adding Vitamin C to any regimen for ailments involving inflammation. It is a basic antioxidant with well-established anti-inflammatory properties. Since it depresses histamine levels in the body, its use against hay fever should come as no surprise. N-acetylcysteine. This antioxidant has been gaining recognition as a treatment for hay fever, but until 2005 had no scientific support. That situation changed in early 2005 when Chinese researchers reported that airway inflammation in rats exposed to inhaled allergens was significantly reduced when the rats were treated with oral NAC. N-acetylcysteine is an inexpensive supplement — a sensible addition to an experimental hay fever regimen. — Dr. Alexis Zarkov, Ph.D. You can contact Dr. Zarkov at AskDrZarkov@yahoo.com. Last modified 2005.May.19 ReferencesUniversity of Maryland Medical Center’s review of ‘alternative’ treatments for allergies Metabolism of rosmarinic acid in rats. J Nat Prod. 1998 Aug;61(8):993-6. Review of Chinese Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) Disclaimer: The information provided in this “Ask Dr. Zarkov” article contains no medical advice whatsoever — it contains ‘biological information’. Nothing in the article constitutes an effort to persuade readers to use, or not to use, this biological information as a basis for action. |
Spring is here again, and my hay fever is worse than ever. Over the years I’ve tried using a variety of drugs, such as anti-histamines,
but I hate their side effects. Are there any supplements that are effective against hay fever that don’t have unpleasant side
effects?
Hay fever (a.k.a. ‘allergic rhinitis’) is an allergic reaction to airborne particles such as pollen or mold spores. When the
immune system responds to these particles, the upper respiratory tract becomes inflamed — i.e., histamines and other chemicals
are produced that make the tissues swell and malfunction.
Nutraceuticals
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