Here in Maryland, spring pollen can be brutal. I first wrote about herbal allergy relief in a fall post, but last week when I was doing mini-herb consultations at Freetown Farm of the Community Ecology Institute, four of the six people I talked with were struggling with seasonal allergies. Unfortunately for them, but fortunately for you, I realized it was a good time to revisit herbs for allergies in greater detail for spring.
My husband sent me this photo a few weeks ago:
This was also about the time when he started sneezing and blowing his nose constantly. Then, just when I thought that maybe spring allergy season is winding down, a good friend of mine sent me this photo that she took just last week. Note the thick layer of pollen!
Fortunately, there are many herbal partners that can help manage a number of annoying symptoms: red, itchy, watery eyes, runny noses, nasal congestion, tightness in the lungs, and infection. Read on for some of my favorite herbs for spring allergy season!
Histamine Blockers – Systemic Allergy Support
Allergy symptoms occur when a foreign body such as pollen, grass clippings, or dust causes a hyperactive immune system to release histamines. Histamines are chemical messengers that signal your body to defend itself to eliminate the invader – make more mucus to trap pollen, produce more tears to wash the eyes, cough to rid the lungs of foreign particles. Unfortunately, these defense mechanisms result in an unpleasant experience due to otherwise benign stimulus.
Because allergy symptoms are triggered by the release of histamine, why not block it? Indeed, this is what pharmaceutical anti-histamines do. Think Benadryl, Claritin, Allegra, just to name a few. Of course, there are also some herbs that have histamine-blocking activity but without the common side-effects of over-the-counter drugs, like drowsiness.
Baical Scullcap
My clients who suffer from seasonal allergies swear by baical scullcap (Scutelleria baiacalensis). Related to, but not to be confused with, “regular” scullcap, baical scullcap is a mint-family herb whose leaves are longer, thinner, and more pointed. I use the tea or tincture as a systemic anti-allergy herb because it also has substantial anti-inflammatory properties that act on inflamed respiratory tissue, and anti-oxidant actions that protect against tissue damage in the first place. On top of all that, baical scullcap has also demonstrated anti-microbial effects in numerous cellular and animal studies.1
Stinging Nettles
Stinging nettles (Urtica dioica) is an interesting plant. It gets its name from the tiny hairs on the leaves that, when touched, cause a burning, itching, reddening unpleasantry. Ironically, the burning and itching is caused by the hairs piercing the skin and injecting a small amount of histamine, causing a local reaction that can last up to a few hours.
Historically, stinging nettles has been used for hay fever, asthma, and other respiratory symptoms.2 Informed by tradition, one modern clinical trial concluded that a freeze-dried preparation of stinging nettles reduced symptoms of allergic rhinitis after one week of therapy.3 The mechanism of action was unclear, but some in vitro studies of stinging nettles showed anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory activity, both of which could reduce symptoms of seasonal allergies.4
An herbalist’s favorite, stinging nettles is also used for a wealth of other ailments, from arthritis, to detoxification, or even kidney of prostate issues. (A future blog topic?) Nettles makes a great spring tonic tea – just be sure to wear gloves if harvesting fresh, and steam or steep directly in boiling water to remove the sting before consuming.
Eye and Nasal Relief
Eyebright
Like baical scullcap, eyebright (Euphrasia stricta) is another “must-have” herb for my allergy clients. Like the name suggests, it’s particularly good to relieve itchy, watery eyes. Herbalist Brigitte Mars, RH(AHG) suggests that the plant was so named in ancient times because the flower resembles a bloodshot eye (see above – yes, I can sort of see that!). She continues to describe eyebright’s uses for a rather exhaustive list of eye ailments, including: allergies, blepharitis (clogged tear ducts), conjunctivitis, eye inflammation, eye itchiness and watering, eyestrain, photophobia (light sensitivity), sties, and more.5
Mars also indicates that a compress or poultice can be made out of eyebright tea and used topically to relieve eye irritation. And finally, because no herb is a “one-trick-pony” eyebright rounds out it’s usefulness for allergy-relief by clearing nasal and sinus congestion.5
Goldenrod
There are many species of goldenrod (Solidago spp), some of which are native here in Maryland. The species that is most often used medicinally is Canadian goldenrod (Solidago canadensis), though other species have similar actions.
There’s not a lot of modern research on goldenrod, so most of today’s uses are informed by tradition. Braun and Cohen do suggest that the tannin content of goldenrod provide the astringency that may explain its historic use of relieving nasal inflammation and congestion.1 Herbalist Matthew Wood indicates that goldenrod is an excellent tonic for red, watery eyes – particularly when caused by cat allergies.6
Lower Respiratory Support
Grindelia (Gumweed)
Grindelia (Grindelia spp.), is a yellow flower native to the western part of the United States. Indeed, when I was visiting the beautiful Pacific northwest, I noted cheerful grindelia flowers dotting the sandy soil around an inlet near where I was staying.
Sometimes called gumweed, the green parts of grindelia are rife with a sticky resin. It’s this resin that is the medicine that helps to expectorate thick, sticky mucus from the lungs.7 Grindelia also helps to relax bronchial spasms, which makes it useful for my clients who suffer from asthma or cough. According to Mars, sucking on a grindelia bud can even help increase lung capacity when at high altitudes!5 (If anyone ever tries this, please let me know how it worked!)
Grindelia can be made into a tea or tincture, or can be eaten raw or cooked. But note Mars and Wood both agree that it is “strong tasting”, with Wood going so far as to say that it tastes like a “sweet turpentine”.7
Wild indigo
Last, but not least, we have wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria), sometimes just called baptisia. This plant in the bean family is native to the southern and eastern United States. The root medicine was a very important to Native Americans, who used it to alleviate pneumonia, tuberculosis, or influenza.8 I include it here in my list of herbs for spring allergy season in cases that progress to respiratory infection. The root of wild indigo contains polysaccharides, which are immune-stimulants that enhance the body’s ability to fight infection. Wild indigo also stimulates lymphatic circulation, which helps to clear toxins (byproducts from immune cells destroying pathogens) and reduce inflammation. Together, these properties provide respiratory symptom relief by helping the body clear the infection and heal itself.
NOTE: care should be used with continued use of wild indigo as large doses can cause vomiting or diarrhea. It’s recommended to use this herb under care of a trained professional.5
Summary
With climate change noticeably forcing spring bloom earlier and earlier each year, allergy season has also started earlier and lasts longer than in the past. I hope that you don’t suffer from seasonal allergies. But if you do, these herbs for spring allergy season can be your partners in helping to make this otherwise abundant time of year more bearable.
And, of course if you need a little extra help, don’t hesitate to reach out to see how my custom herbal services can assist!
References
- Braun, L., Cohen, M. (2015) Herbs & Natural Supplements, An Evidence-Based Guide (4th Edition).
- Grieve, M (1931) A Modern Herbal.
- Bone, K., Mills, S. (2013) Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. (2nd Edition).
- Roschek, B. Jr ; Fink, R. ; McMichael, M.; Alberte, R. “Nettle extract (Urtica Dioica) affects key receptors and enzymes associated with allergic rhinitis”. Phytotherapy Research. 2009-07, Vol.23 (7), p.920-926.
- Mars, B. (2016) The Desktop Guide to Herbal Medicine. (2nd Edition).
- Wood, M. (2008) Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to Old World Medicinal Plants.
- Wood, M. (2009) Earthwise Herbal: A Complete Guide to New World Medicinal Plants.
- Hutchins, A. (1969) Indian Herbalogy of North America.