Spring allergies are all too common, and those who expect to have to wade their way through this spring season annoyance would surely prefer to avoid them. Here, we take a quick look at the causes of seasonal spring allergies, and then discuss four of the most prime supplements for combating their symptoms.
Experiencing Spring Allergies
Encounters with seasonal spring allergy symptoms in the U.S. are extremely common. About 81 million people experience a course of spring allergies yearly, per recent estimates. Other names for this include “allergic rhinitis,” or “hay fever.” Hay fever is usually triggered by pollen that is produced and shed seasonally by many species of trees, grasses, and weeds. Pollen is basically harmless.
This allergic reaction is an overreaction on the part of the immune system because it treats harmless pollen as a threat. When airborne pollen is inhaled, immunoglobulin is produced, in turn producing histamine. Histamine causes spring allergy symptoms including sneezing, watery eyes, and inflammation and/or blockage in the sinus system.
There are multiple approaches to remedying spring allergies. One is to prevent them, by mitigating your exposure to pollen. Various over-the-counter meds such as antihistamines are common for treating symptoms, but there are many alternatives. Home remedies, and just the use of a cold compress and saline rinse, can be helpful. The use of one or more supplements can also help remedy spring allergies.
Prime Supplements to Fight Spring Allergies
There are a variety of vitamins and herbs containing properties that can combat spring allergies. Here, we zero in on four of the most touted and effective supplements which are widely effective against hay fever:
Vitamin C, officially known as ascorbic acid,is necessary and crucially supportive to the immune system. Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, meaning that it cannot be produced within the body, and must be consumed regularly for human health. Deficiency in vitamin C is somewhat common in the U.S., and it weakens a person’s immune system. If you come down with symptoms of hay fever, supplementing with vitamin C can be instrumental. Vitamin C has antihistamine properties which reduce sneezing, inflammation, and other symptoms. A standard gram or two of vitamin C taken daily is sure to combat hay fever.
Stinging nettle extract is made from the leaves of the uniquely tough stinging nettle plant (Urtica dioica). These leaves can have a strong medicinal effect because of their combined antioxidant, antimicrobial, and analgesic effects. The properties of stinging nettle leaf extract reduce sinus inflammation and pain alike. Stinging nettle is regarded as one of the most potent plant remedies for allergic rhinitis.
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is an herb native to North America, Europe, and Asia which has a centuries-old history of use as a remedy for fever and cough. In the modern era, butterbur is regarded for its potential to combat allergic rhinitis symptoms. Several studies support butterbur’s effectiveness for this purpose. Other studies evince butterbur’s potential to reduce migraine symptoms, as well.
Quercetin is a flavonoid common to many plants, with known medicinal benefits that result mostly from its antioxidant properties. Research from as recent as 2020 openly testifies to quercetin’s ability to function as an antihistamine, and reduce allergy symptoms. While it’s present in some plant foods, quercetin is most concentrated, and most likely to be beneficial, in its oral supplement form.
If you or your loved ones are bound to encounter seasonal allergies this spring, then equip yourself against it with one or more of these fitting supplements. It is recommended that you speak to your healthcare provider before trying one of these for the first time.