You may wonder, nature has given solution to most common problem allergy. Natural antihistamines are able to give us relief. Be it seasonal or occasional, symptoms like itching, runny nose (nasal congestion) etc., bother us a lot.
Mostly to get relief from allergy symptoms, we take over- the-counter medications. These medicines are antihistamines that ease our allergy symptoms. But why to take medicines when there are many foods and plant extracts that contain natural antihistamine? Just by adopting these foods in your regular diet, you just not can control your allergy symptoms but even can prevent allergy!
Here we prepared a list of 19 natural foods and plant extract that work best as natural antihistamines on various allergies. But before going through this detailed list of natural antihistamines, let’s have a look how these antihistamines work.
How antihistamines work?
When our immune response reacts to a harmless substance such as pollen, dust, dander etc., then allergy occurs. These substances, if they come in contact with the cells of the mucous membrane in your nose, mouth, throat, lungs etc., then it will trigger the release of a chemical substance known as histamine.
Many times people with asthma also experience excess histamine issues that causes acute chest cold. If you have chest cold then can try chest cold home remedies.
Histamine is the main culprit that causes your allergy symptoms such as itching, hives, sneezing, nasal congestion, cold-like symptoms, chest cold, etc.
So antihistamine blocks histamine release or histamine activity so that allergic reaction stops and we get relief from allergic symptoms.
Many prescription and over-the-counter drugs that many of us take to get relief from allergy symptoms are antihistamines, but they have their own side effects.
But there are so many foods and plant extract that are natural antihistamines. These natural foods are a gift of nature that we can use to get relief from allergy symptoms without any side effect. These natural antihistamines are
Stinging Nettle :
Stinging nettle is a common herb in natural medicine. It is also useful as a natural antihistamine. In the year 2000, a study was performed to determine its effectiveness to relieve symptoms. The result showed that 58 percent of participants got relief from their symptoms using freeze-dried nettles.
Quercetin :
Quercetin is an antioxidant. It is naturally found in onion, Apple, grapefruit, okra. Research has shown its effectiveness as an antihistamine.
Quercetin works by reducing the inflammatory response in the airway, so inflammation is reduced. One may get symptomatic relief with its use. Around 200 to 400 mg of Quercetin is taken to manage typical allergies like hay fever.
Quercetin is present in many fruits and herbs, such as apples, berries, broccoli, grapes, black tea, buckwheat tea, green tea, ginkgo biloba, peppers, red onion, red wine etc.
It is safe to use, but few people complain of headache and tingling in the arms and legs. Long term use of very high doses may lead to kidney damage.
Bromelain :
Bromelain is a natural compound. It is most commonly found in pineapples. Bromelain is also available in the supplement form. It is found to be effective to treat respiratory distress and inflammation in patients with allergy.
Study recommends taking 400-500 mg of Bromelain three times daily to get the results. It is recommended to take Bromelain through the consumption of pineapple.
Oral supplementation of Bromelain may cause side effects such as – digestive upset, changes in menstruation, increased heart rate.
It is important to note that people who are allergic to pineapple should avoid Bromelain.
Butterbur :
Butterbur is found in the region of Asia, Europe and North America. It is a marsh plant of the daisy family.
Research showed its effectiveness in treating nasal allergies. It is also helpful to decrease both the frequency and intensity of migraine attacks.
A British Medical Journal Research conducted among 125 people with hay fever found that butterbur worked like cetirizine.
Butterbur supplement improve symptoms of allergy. It can be taken as oil extract or in pill form. Effectiveness is similar for these two forms.
Butterbur may cause side effects to some people: a headache, fatigue, breathing problem, diarrhoea, drowsiness, itchy eyes, etc.
Raw butterbur extracts contain alkaloids that may cause liver damage and cancer. So extracts of butterbur that do not contain alkaloids are advised to take. Plant extract of butterbur can cause allergy to people who are sensitive to chrysanthemums, ragweed, marigolds and daisies.
Vitamin C :
Yes! Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine. Because oxidative stress has an important role in allergic disease, so vitamin C can be helpful as it is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Research from a 2018 study suggests that high doses of intravenous vitamin C help to reduce allergy symptoms. It is also found that deficiency of vitamin C can cause allergy-related disease more.
Study suggests that 2 grams of vitamin C daily acts as an antihistamine.
Naturally vitamin C present in- citrus fruits,bell pepper,broccoli,cauliflower,kiwi fruit,strawberries,winter squash,tomato etc.
Holy Basil :
Holy Basil also called Tulsi, is a natural antihistamine. It is a herb in the basil family that prevents severe allergic reactions. This herb has mast cell stabilizing properties. It has several other benefits. Holy Basil tea is best home remedy for runny nose.
Thyme :
Thyme is a natural antihistamine. Thyme essential oil has antimicrobial activity. Thyme essential oil is a herbal antibiotic to treat lung infections. Thyme is sterile, anti-inflammatory, antihistamine, antiviral, antispasmodic and prevents caugh (antitussive).
Fresh thyme in meals can be helpful, but thyme essential oil can be helpful for a therapeutic dose.
Watercress :
When boiled, watercress compounds are removed that may stop histamine release from cells exposed to an allergen. Studies suggest that watercress is capable of constraining 60% of the histamine released from mast cells.
Watercress can be used to garnish the salads, and the salads become extra tasty.
Parsley :
Parsley has antihistamines and anti-inflammatory action, so it is helpful in hay fever or rash.
Parsley contains vitamin A, vitamin C, lutein, zeaxanthin carotenoids.
The ideal fresh Parsley is less floppy with stable stalks, appears as bright green. Rinse it in warm water and then take it.
Broccoli :
Broccoli is a good source of natural antihistamine. It is a rich source of vitamin C and flavonoid kaempferol, so it is strong anti-inflammatory. Broccoli also contains sulforaphane, an antioxidant that reduces your cytokine levels and NF-kB, which drives swelling, so inflammation reduces.
Peach :
A study showed that peach can repress mast cell driven allergic irritation. This helps to reduce allergic reactions very easily. Peaches also contain high antioxidants, so it prevents inflammation also.
Black Rice Bran :
As according a 2010 study, black rice bran is very good anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic food. It also helps to heal chronic inflammation.
Anthocyanins found in black rice bran is anti-inflammatory. Research suggests only 10% diet of black rice can reduce histamine release from mast cells by around 32%, so as a result irritation decreases.
Mung Bean Sprouts :
Mung bean sprouts is concentrated with flavonoids, the phytonutrients in flowers. Just soak green mung lentil for 12 hours in half quantity water. It’s easy to consume. It restricts the release of active histamine from mast cells, so it helps to stop histamine release.
Turmeric :
Turmeric is a natural antihistamine. It has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Research suggests that it represses mast cell activation, decreases mast cell degranulation and also decreases the release of histamine. Turmeric contains curcumin. This curcumin acts as a decongestant and thus helping to give relief from allergy symptoms.
Fennel :
Fennel is a natural antihistamine. It is also antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. You can even use fennel seeds that too contains natural antihistamines.
Ginger :
Ginger is a H2 inhibitor that is a histamine receptor blocker as well as a mast cell stabilizer. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral properties. As ginger is a natural antihistamine, so it is very helpful to treat allergy.
Sweet Potato:
Sweet potato is one of the highest antihistamine type food. This root vegetable contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients etc., that helps to stop histamine response in cells. Sweet potato also contains Cyanidin, an antioxidant; it protects us from pollutants in the digestive system.
For those who have frequent allergic attacks, can replace regular potatoes with sweet potatoes. This helps a significant change in number of allergic attacks.
Amaranth :
Amaranth is a natural antihistamine. Amaranth greeneries have antihistamine action. It has such a robust antihistamine action that they have been exposed to stop anaphylactic shock.
Amaranth seeds are advised to consume to get relief from allergic reaction, as it is easy to use.
Black Cumin Seed oil :
Black cumin seed oil contains thymoquinone along with other chemical compounds that help to relieve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
It prevents mast cells to release inflammatory mediators that promote allergic reactions. So it is helpful to get relief from runny nose, itching, sneezing attacks etc., even if you smell it or rub it on your forehead; it gives relief from allergy symptoms.
Takeaway :
In case of allergy, avoiding the natural allergen, taking a combination of natural remedies can give you relief from allergy symptoms. Food sources of these antihistamines are safe to use as these are natural, but if you want to take supplements of these antihistamines, then talk with your doctor before taking the supplements. Also, try to boost your immune system.
