Allergies can be topical, respiratory, or digestive, and result in an immune system overreaction to a substance. This can release histamines, which cause wheezing, rashes, sneezing, vomiting, and even anaphylactic shock. People can be allergic to specific foods, plants, animals, and chemicals. Human studies are lacking, and more research is necessary on the anti-allergy potential of various herbs.
Hay fever is a seasonal allergy to pollens and fungi in the air, and can irritate the nose, throat, and eyes.
Recipes to Help with Allergies
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RESEARCH
The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the topic, with a very brief overview description of each article/study. This compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use of any herb listed.
GENERAL
- Moradi, B., Heidari-Soureshjani, S., Asadi-Samani, M., Yang, Q., & Saeedi-Boroujeni, A. (2017). Efficacy and mechanisms of medicinal plants as immunotherapy in treatment of allergic rhinitis: A systematic review. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research, 8(5), 1892-1899.
ASTRAGALUS
- In a six weeks, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial of 48 adult patients, taking astragalus reduced symptoms of seasonal allergies. More research is needed. From: Matkovic, Z., Zivkovic, V., Korica, M., Plavec, D., Pecanic, S., & Tudoric, N. (2010). Efficacy and safety of Astragalus membranaceus in the treatment of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis. Phytotherapy research, 24(2), 175-181.
- Astragalus reduced allergic rhinitis in a mouse model study. From: Bing, Z., Jin-Tao, D., Feng, L., Ba, L., Ya-Feng, L., & Shi-Xi, L. (2019). Effect of Astragalus membranaceus in Ovalbumin-Induced Allergic Rhinitis Mouse Model. American journal of rhinology & allergy, 1945892419839259.
BAYBERRY
- Extract from Myrica sapida (bayberry) showed bronchodilator activity in guinea pigs, and had a potent inhibitory effect on immediate hypersensitivity reactions. From: Patel, K. G., Bhalodia, P. N., Patel, A. D., Patel, K. V., & Gandhi, T. R. (2008). Evaluation of bronchodilator and anti-anaphylactic activity of Myrica sapida. Iranian Biomedical Journal, 12(3), 191-196.
- Myricitrin, a flavonoid found in Myrica rubra (bayberry) leaf, had an anti-inflammatory, anti-allergic effect in mice. From: Shimosaki, S., Tsurunaga, Y., Itamura, H., & Nakamura, M. (2011). Anti-allergic effect of the flavonoid myricitrin from Myrica rubra leaf extracts in vitro and in vivo. Natural product research, 25(4), 374-380.
CAJEPUT
- Melaleuca lencadendron strongly inhibited histamine releases from rat mast cells with ursolic acid, a triterpene, being the most active compound followed by two stilbenes: piceatannol and oxyresveratrol. From: Tsuruga, T., Chun, Y.T., Ebizuka, Y., and Sankawa, U. (1991). Biologically active constituents of Melaleuca leucadendron: inhibitors of induced histamine release from rat mast cells. Chemical and pharmaceutical bulletin, 39(12), 3276-3278.
CARROT
- Daucus carota seed inhibiting carrageenan, histamine and serotonin-induced paw edema and formaldehyde-induced arthritis in rats. From: Vasudevan, M., Gunnam, K. K., & Parle, M. (2006). Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory properties of Daucus carota seeds extract. Journal of Health Science, 52(5), 598-606.
CHAMOMILE, GERMAN
- In this study of 20 essential oils chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla) was the most bioactive candidate for DNA polymerase inhibitory, cancer cell growth inhibitory, anti-allergy, and antioxidant activities. From: Mitoshi, M., Kuriyama, I., Nakayama, H., Miyazato, H., Sugimoto, K., Kobayashi, Y., … & Mizushina, Y. (2012). Effects of essential oils from herbal plants and citrus fruits on DNA polymerase inhibitory, cancer cell growth inhibitory, antiallergic, and antioxidant activities. Journal of agricultural and food chemistry, 60(45), 11343-11350.
- Chamomile along with conventional antihistamines could be used to treat severe itching (pruritus). From: Kobayashi, Y., Takahashi, R., & Ogino, F. (2005). Antipruritic effect of the single oral administration of German chamomile flower extract and its combined effect with antiallergic agents in ddY mice. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 101(1), 308-312.
CINNAMON
- A blend including extracts of cinnamon, patchouli, and clove was effective against house dust mites. From: Wu, H. Q., Li, J., He, Z. D., & Liu, Z. G. (2010). Acaricidal activities of traditional Chinese medicine against the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae. Parasitology, 137(6), 975-983.
CLOVE
- A blend including extracts of cinnamon, patchouli, and clove was effective against house dust mites. From: Wu, H. Q., Li, J., He, Z. D., & Liu, Z. G. (2010). Acaricidal activities of traditional Chinese medicine against the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae. Parasitology, 137(6), 975-983.
EUCALYPTUS
- Eucalyptus oil used when washing bed sheets and clothing may reduce dust mites and allergens. From: Tovey, E. R., & McDonald, L. G. (1997). A simple washing procedure with eucalyptus oil for controlling house dust mites and their allergens in clothing and bedding. Journal of allergy and clinical immunology, 100(4), 464-466.
GERANIUM
- Geraniol and beta-citronellol isolated from P. graveolens was effective against house dust mites. From: Jeon, J. H., Kim, H. W., Kim, M. G., & Lee, H. S. (2008). Mite-control activities of active constituents isolated from Pelargonium graveolens against house dust mites. Journal of microbiology and biotechnology, 18(10), 1666-1671.
LITSEA
- Laurotetaine extracted from the roots of Litsea cubeba had an anti-asthmatic, anti-allergy effect in vivo. From: Xing, X., & Wang, H. (2019). Anti-asthmatic effect of laurotetanine extracted from Litsea cubeba (Lour.) Pers. root on ovalbumin-induced allergic asthma rats, and elucidation of its mechanism of action. Tropical Journal of Pharmaceutical Research, 18(6), 1277-1283.
METHYL EUGENOL
- Methyleugenol completely inhibited systemic anaphylaxis induced in mice by affecting histamine release and over-expression in mast cells. From: Shin, B. K., Lee, E. H., & Kim, H. M. (1997). Suppression ofl-Histidine Decarboxylase mRNA Expression by Methyleugenol. Biochemical and biophysical research communications, 232(1), 188-191.
MORINGA
- A moringa extract showed anti-atopic dermatitis activity both in vitro and in vivo by regulating the inflammatory response. From: Choi, E. J., Debnath, T., Tang, Y., Ryu, Y. B., Moon, S. H., & Kim, E. K. (2016). Topical application of Moringa oleifera leaf extract ameliorates experimentally induced atopic dermatitis by the regulation of Th1/Th2/Th17 balance. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 84, 870-877.
PATCHOULI
- A blend including extracts of cinnamon, patchouli, and clove was effective against house dust mites. From: Wu, H. Q., Li, J., He, Z. D., & Liu, Z. G. (2010). Acaricidal activities of traditional Chinese medicine against the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae. Parasitology, 137(6), 975-983.
PEPPERMINT / MENTHOL
- Applications of menthol was cooling reduced skin itching. From: Bromma, B., Scharein, E., Darsow, U., & Ring, J. (1995). Effects of menthol and cold on histamine-induced itch and skin reactions in man. Neuroscience letters, 187(3), 157-160.
- A constituent isolated from peppermint essential oil helped alleviate the nasal symptoms of allergic rhinitis. From: Inoue, T., Sugimoto, Y., Masuda, H., & Kamei, C. (2002). Antiallergic effect of flavonoid glycosides obtained from Mentha piperita L. Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin, 25(2), 256-259.
ROSEMARY / ROSMARINIC ACID
- Rosmarinic acid showed inhibition of the inflammatory allergic response. From: From: Osakabe, N., Takano, H., Sanbongi, C., Yasuda, A., Yanagisawa, R., Inoue, K. I., & Yoshikawa, T. (2004). Anti‐inflammatory and anti‐allergic effect of rosmarinic acid (RA); inhibition of seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis (SAR) and its mechanism. Biofactors, 21(1‐4), 127-131.
- Rosemary extract inhalation reduced allergic airway inflammation in mice related to dust mite allergies. From: HIROAKIMAKINO, R. Y. (2005). Effects of volatile constituents of a rosemary extract on allergic airway inflammation related to house dust mite allergen in mice. International journal of molecular medicine, 16, 315-319.
SPEARMINT
- Flavones in spearmint showed antihistaminic / antiallergy activity. From: Yamamura, S., Ozawa, K., Ohtani, K., Kasai, R., & Yamasaki, K. (1998). Antihistaminic flavones and aliphatic glycosides from Mentha spicata. Phytochemistry, 48(1), 131-136.
TEA TREE
- Tea tree oil reduced histamine-induced skin inflammation in humans. From: Koh, K. J., Pearce, A. L., Marshman, G., Finlay‐Jones, J. J., & Hart, P. H. (2002). Tea tree oil reduces histamine‐induced skin inflammation. British Journal of Dermatology, 147(6), 1212-1217.
- Tea tree and lavender were effective against a wide range of mites, lemon was effective against some mites, but not lice. From: Williamson, E. M., Priestley, C. M., & Burgess, I. F. (2007). An investigation and comparison of the bioactivity of selected essential oils on human lice and house dust mites. Fitoterapia, 78(7), 521-525.
TURMERIC
- Turmeric significantly ameliorated food allergic symptoms in mice. From: Shin, H. S., See, H. J., Jung, S. Y., Choi, D. W., Kwon, D. A., Bae, M. J., … & Shon, D. H. (2015). Turmeric (Curcuma longa) attenuates food allergy symptoms by regulating type 1/type 2 helper T cells (Th1/Th2) balance in a mouse model of food allergy. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 175, 21-29.
By: Kathy Sadowski
Last Updated: 2/5/2020
