Aaaa-choo! Seasonal allergies are here

May 8, 2018   |   Evidence in Integrative Healthcare

Spring has sprung and it’s time to sneeze again….achoo! Runny nose, where’s the tissue… it can be a miserable time of year for seasonal allergy sufferers.  The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) provides some information here https://nccih.nih.gov/health/allergies/seasonal?nav=govd on complementary health approaches to this common problem.  There are mind and body practices to consider as well as natural products that may help.

The ‘body’ approaches of note include acupuncture and rinsing the sinuses using a neti pot, nebulizers, or spray, pump, or squirt bottles. As a safety measure when using the sinus rinsing devices, it’s important to use sterile saline water or over-the-counter nasal rinsing products with sterile water. More information on how to rinse your sinuses safely is available here https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm316375.htm.

Of the natural products that are available for seasonal allergies, the herb butterbur may be helpful, probiotics and honey have been inconsistent, and there are a number of other products such as grape seed extract, omega-3 fatty acids, astragalus, capsaicin, Pycnogenol, quercetin, spirulina, stinging nettles, and tinospora/guduchi where the evidence is either inconsistent or too limited to demonstrate if these products are helpful.

Be aware that some supplements may interact with medications and other supplements can have side effects of their own.