Key takeaways
- For allergy relief, consider saline nasal irrigation, which can help reduce nasal inflammation and congestion by clearing irritants from your sinuses.
- To manage allergy symptoms, explore natural options like spirulina, stinging nettle, quercetin, and Vitamin C, which may offer antioxidant, immune-regulating, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
- To create a cleaner, less allergenic home environment, use air filters, air conditioners, and dehumidifiers to reduce allergens like pollen, dust, and mold.
When your immune system reacts to something that doesn’t always bother other people, you’re experiencing an allergic reaction. Some of the biggest culprits for causing allergic reactions are:
- pollen
- dust mites
- pet dander
- mold spores
- insect stings
- food
- medications
Doctors typically treat allergies with various approaches, including medications and allergy shots. Natural and home remedies might also help when used with your doctor’s recommendations.
Seek emergency medical attention right away if you’re experiencing any signs of anaphylaxis, or a severe allergic reaction, such as difficulty breathing or dizziness. Anaphylaxis can be life threating.
The best natural remedy for allergies is, when possible, avoidance.
For example, if you’ve had an allergic reaction to a sulfa drug, let your doctor know about your allergy. They’ll most likely prescribe an alternate antibiotic if you ever need one.
That said, some allergens are hard to avoid, such as pollen in the spring.
In this case, after discussing your symptoms with your doctor, you might consider a home remedy to help manage the symptoms.
Saline nasal irrigation
Saline nasal irrigation involves using a saline solution to clear mucus, allergens, bacteria, and other irritants from your sinus and nasal cavities.
Its main
Directions
- Use a homemade or store-bought saline solution for irrigation. You might also consider purchasing a motorized irrigation device. You might find it easier to perform the rinse while leaning over a sink or tub or in the shower.
- Tilt your head down and turn it so one nostril points down and the other points up.
- Squeeze the bottle or use your device to deliver the solution into the nostril that points up. It should come out of the other nostril.
- Repeat on the other side.
Air filters
Consider using an air filter in your indoor environments.
One type of air filter to consider is high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters.
By trapping airborne irritants such as pollen, dust, and pet dander, HEPA filters reduce allergens in your home.
Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)
Low-certainty evidence found that butterbur, a medicinal plant often used for allergic rhinitis, may improve:
- nasal symptoms
- congestion
- sneezing
It’s unclear, however, whether butterbur is more effective than typical antihistamines.
Bromelain
Bromelain is a digestive enzyme found in papaya and pineapple. Natural healers consider it effective at improving breathing by reducing inflammation and swelling.
Acupuncture
A 2024 review suggests that treating allergic rhinitis with acupuncture has few side effects and good short- and long-term effects. It may help reduce nasal inflammation and mucus.
More high quality studies are needed, however, to look at the positive effect of acupuncture on allergies, especially in the long run.
Probiotics
Research from 2023 suggests that probiotics may help regulate your immune system and alleviate food allergies.
But food allergies also depend on your environment, genetics, and diet, so supplementation shouldn’t be considered a “cure.”
Other 2022 research in humans and animals indicates that while probiotics don’t eliminate allergies, they may help reduce allergy symptoms.
Speak with your doctor or an allergist before trying probiotic supplements, especially if you manage other health conditions. They should be taken with your doctor’s guidance.
Honey
Although there’s no scientific evidence to prove it, a popular theory suggests eating locally produced honey, as opposed to mass-produced honey, to improve allergies.
According to the theory, you’ll lower your allergic reaction over time to the pollen that the bees collect in your area to make their honey.
Air conditioners and dehumidifiers
Air conditioners and dehumidifiers can limit the growth of mildew and mold, which may negatively impact allergies or be allergens themselves.
These devices remove moisture from the air, and mildew and mold thrive in moist or humid environments.
Spirulina
Not enough data in humans exist yet, but some recent research suggests that spirulina — a blue-green algae —
- antioxidant
- immune system-regulating
- anti-inflammatory
But this research specifically looked at using supplemental spirulina on diseases, not allergies.
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.)
Stinging nettle is a plant traditionally used by ancient Egyptians and Greeks, as well as Indigenous Americans, to support respiratory health.
The plant is high in vitamin C, iron, and antioxidants, which your body needs to promote healthy immune responses.
Other features of this plant
- anti-inflammatory
- anti-infectious
- analgesic (pain-relieving)
Because of this, it may be beneficial for those with allergic rhinitis or rheumatism.
Quercetin
Quercetin is a favorite of natural healing advocates who believe it stabilizes the release of histamines and helps manage allergy symptoms.
A 2022 study suggests that a quercetin-containing supplement may improve allergic symptoms such as:
- itchy eyes
- sneezing
- a runny nose
- difficulty sleeping
To get this nutrient from your diet before reaching for supplements, look to:
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has long been touted as a nutrient that
According to a 2018 observational study, vitamin C may reduce allergy-related symptoms when delivered at high doses intravenously (into your vein).
However, daily recommendations for vitamin C are much lower than in this study. For most adults over 18 years, it’s recommended that:
- men consume 90 milligrams (mg) daily
- women consume 75 mg
Mentha piperita leaf essential oils
Common names for products made from this leaf are:
- menthol
- menthone
- methyl acetate
Research in mice from 2022 indicates that inhaling essential oils from the Mentha piperita leaf may decrease nasal inflammation in allergic rhinitis.
More research, however, is needed on the long-term safety of this strategy in humans.
Eucalyptus essential oil
If you’re allergic to dust mites, you may want to consider using eucalyptus oil as an antimicrobial agent. Try adding a small amount to your next load of laundry.
Though washing rids your laundry of most dust mites and allergens, adding eucalyptus oil can kill the remaining cells.
A 2020 mouse model study found that eucalyptus oil may effectively treat allergic dermatitis when applied to the mice’s skin. However, more human research is needed.
If you’re allergic to eucalyptus or any eucalyptus products, you’ll want to avoid this method.
Frankincense essential oil
Frankincense is another essential oil with possible antimicrobial effects.
You can dilute it in a carrier oil and use it behind your ears or inhale it by diffusing it into the air.
Don’t use home remedies to treat severe allergic reactions, or anaphylaxis, which can be identified by symptoms such as:
Using essential oils isn’t without risk. The FDA doesn’t oversee their purity, quality, or packaging.
It’s important to use essential oils as directed and make sure you’re using high quality products.
Test each new essential oil in a carrier oil on unbroken skin, such as your forearm, especially if you’re prone to allergies. If you don’t have a reaction in 24 hours, it should be safe.
While some evidence suggests that home remedies for allergies may be effective, it’s a good idea to discuss them with your doctor before you try them out.
Many techniques involve using essential oils and supplements, which comes with risks.
Listen to your doctor’s suggestions on what’s best for you and your allergies.
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