Natural Remedies for Seasonal Allergies - Home Remedies for Allergies

Help for Seasonal Allergies Might be as Close as Your Kitchen
April 16, 2005

Spring has sprung, and that means allergies have too. As the weather gets warmer and wetter, pollen and molds bloom, and spingtime winds can stir up the allergens.

When it comes to allergies, misery loves company. Roughly 40 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. Nearly 10 percent of Americans are allergic to pollen. The result is hay fever, whose symptoms include runny nose, sneezing and puffy, watery eyes.

Sales of over-the-counter allergy drugs are through the roof, but some of the best remedies may be in your own kitchen.

Allergist Dr. Cliff Bassett talked about some of the more popular -- and effective -- natural remedies for allergy symptoms on "Good Morning America." Bassett said "natural" does not necessarily mean safe or effective, and people may have unintended side effects. Check with your doctor before trying any natural remedy, especially if you are pregnant or nursing.

Natural Remedies for Allergies

Butterbur: Butterbur is another name for petasites, a shrub with huge leaves. The plant is toxic but some studies show butterbur is effective in treating allergy symptoms.

Quercetin: An herbal supplement that has been shown to reduce sinus pain and congestion. Bassett said vitamin C actually may improve the effectiveness by reducing inflammation. One problem, says Bassett, is it is unclear how much you need to take, so you may have to experiment.