Overcome Seasonal Allergies without Medication

It may be time for seasonal allergies, but that doesn't mean you should suffer from continual sneezing, itchy eyes, wheezing and other signs of seasonal allergies.

It is estimated that more than 35 million people in the U.S. have these reactions when summer fades into fall.

A Natural Remedy

Nature often provides the medications that we need in the form of herbs. One of these is receiving a lot of attention during hay fever season. The herb is called butterbur (Petasites hybridus), and it is available in tablet form. According to an article published by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, butterbur was effective in eliminating the symptoms of hay fever in test subjects.

Butterbur grows in Europe, North Africa and Southwest Asia. It has been used in Europe for years as a treatment for migraine headaches. In the past, butterbur was used by the ancient Greeks for skin ulcer treatment. Many of today's antihistamines cause drowsiness, but in the study mentioned above, test subjects had no drowsiness. Butterbur and all herbs can also have side effects or cause allergic reactions. A butterbur allergy can cause hives, rash, itching, swelling of the mouth, tongue or throat, wheezing and difficulty breathing.

Anyone who is taking an antihistamine, such as non-drowsy Benadryl, should not take herbs to treat allergy symptoms at the same time. This could result in too much antihistamine in your system at once, which could be dangerous. You may want to consult a doctor who practices alternative medicine or integrative medicine for advice.

Quieting Seasonal Allergies Through Diet

Grape seed extract and quercetin occur naturally in a variety of foods and in red wine. They are available in tablet form and are also known for eliminating many of the symptoms of hay fever and other environmental allergies. According to Clifford Bassett, M.D., a New York University allergist, not eating certain foods can reduce allergy symptoms in people with hay fever.

Foods to avoid if you suffer from these allergies are any that contain echinacea, including herbal supplements. Eliminating bananas, cucumbers, sunflower seeds, melon and chamomile from your diet can be helpful to your allergies.

Acupuncture for Hay Fever

Chinese medicine has been using acupuncture for years to treat hay fever and other allergies. In an article published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine, all participannts in a clinical study experienced an improvement in their allergy symptoms. Acupuncture has proven to reduce or eliminate multiple allergies in many other studies as well, and there are no side effects to this treatment.