Seasonal allergies making you miserable? There are many time tested herbal treatments that may bring you some relief. Allergies are the result of a hypersensitive immune system. With every breath we take, we breathe in millions of microscopic particles such as dust, pollen, plant spores, viruses, bacteria and even pollutants in the form of chemicals in the air. Hay Fever, (Allergic rhinitis) is a common illness often caused by pollens from trees, grass or weeds.

Stinging Nettle remedy eases hay fever,
nose & sinus type allergies symptoms.

The phytochemical compounds and natural antihistamines in cinnamon, ginkgo, reshi mushrooms and stinging nettle ease allergies and reduce inflammation.^2,3Ginkgo leaves contain ginkoglides, which inhibit platelet-activating factor, a chemical involved in asthma and allergies. The herb contains a dozen different anti-inflammatory chemicals and seven natural antihistamines. Reishi inhibits some of the chemical mediators of inflammation, including histamine. ³

To relieve watery and inflamed eyes, an herbal eyewash can be made from eyebright.¹ To help with congestion and open breathing passages try drinking a hot cup of peppermint tea.

Herbs Used for Allergies/hay Fever

Chrysanthemum * Ephedra * Eucalyptus * Eyebright * Feverfew * Garlic * Ginkgo biloba * Nettle * Peppermint * Reishi *

Bupleurum For: Arthritis, allergies, eye care
Profile	This herb seems to exert a tonic effect on the heart and the lungs, making it useful for improving respiration and circulation. Bupleurum stops the effects of allergies by blocking serotonin (also known as 5-hydroxytryptamine, or 5-HT). It has also been reported to prevent bleeding from tiny capillaries within the eyes that can lead to macular degeneration. Bupleurum deactivates herpes simplex and measles viruses, and relieves pain of peptic ulcers. Bupleurum also increases the effectiveness of glucocorticoid drugs such as prednisone (Deltasone), used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. Phyllis A. Balch, Prescription for Herbal Healing (2002)

Cinnamon For: Antiseptic, allergies
Profile	The phytochemical compounds in cinnamon and cassia ease allergies, reduce pain, counteract bacteria and fungi (including candidas), and disinfect wounds. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Elder flowers For: Bronchitis
Profile	Elder flowers also reduce bronchial and upper-respiratory catarrh and are used to treat hayfever. Richard Mabey, The New Age Herbalist (1988)

Ephedra For: Allergies, hay fever and asthma
Profile	Ephedra has been used effectively in both Chinese and American Indian traditional medicines to open airways in cases of allergies, hay fever and asthma. Herbalists use the whole herb, not the extracts ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are dangerous. The herb "acts promptly in relieving swellings of the mucous membrane. It has valuable antispasmodic properties, acts on the air passages and is of benefit in asthma and hay fever

Ephedra For: Asthma, Hay Fever
Profile	A sympathetic nerve stimulant resembling adrenaline, its effect on the unstripped muscular fibers is remarkable. It acts promptly in relieving swellings of the mucous membrane. It has valuable antispasmodic properties, acts on the air passages and is of benefit in asthma and hay fever; it is also employed for rheumatism; a 5 to 10 per cent solution has mydriatic properties, prophylactically used for low blood pressure in influenza, pneumonia, etc Maud Grieve, Modern Herbal Vol 1 (1931)

Eyebright For: Inflammation fighter/Sinus
Profile	Use eyebright herb as an eyewash or poultice to relieve inflammation caused by colds, sinus infections and allergies

Garlic and onions For: Bronchitis, asthma, allergies
Profile	Garlic and onions, these allium family members have long been used to treat bronchitis, allergies and asthma. The ingredients responsible include mustard oils and quercetin. Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Ginkgo For: Asthma and allergies
Profile	Ginkgo leaves contain ginkgolides, which inhibit platelet-activating factor, a chemical involved in asthma and allergies. Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Ginkgo For: Allergies, asthma,natural antihistamine
Profile	Allergies and asthma also improve with ginkgo. The herb contains a dozen different anti-inflammatory chemicals and seven natural antihistamines. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Peppermint For: Allergies, ease breathing
Profile	Inhaling peppermint's volatile oils makes you feel as if you can breathe easier, even when airflow is not actually increasing. Drink a cup of mint tea, or use the essential oil in steam inhalation to ease the breath. Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Reishi For: Allergies, histamine
Profile	This medicinal mushroom boasts several healthful effects, including an ability to reduce allergies. Reishi inhibits some of the chemical mediators of inflammation, including histamine. Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Rosemary For: Asthma and allergies
Profile	This common culinary herb has been used traditionally to ease asthma. Rosemary's essential oils can block the airway constriction induced by histamine, the chemical culprit of both asthma and allergies. Linda B. White, M.D., The Herbal Drugstore (2003)

Stinging nettle For: Hay fever/Sinus
Profile	Stinging nettle contains natural antihistamines and anti-inflammatories (including quercetin), that open up constricted bronchial and nasal passages. Some herbal authorities assert that no other remedy eases hay fever, and nose & sinus type allergies symptoms so markedly. James Duke, The Green Pharmacy Herbal Handbook (2000)

Allergies/hay Fever Information

• Asthma :
  There are many old fashioned home remedies that help asthmatics breathe easier. You need look no further than the kitchen...