Many people suffer from allergic reactions. You might perhaps have seen or experienced some changes in your skin that warranty an allergy. The signs and symptoms include sneezing, watery eyes, digestive issues among others. All these occur as a result of the release of compounds in your body called histamines.
In this case and scenario, you can use remedies called natural antihistamines to calm the situation and restore your body to normal order and function.
This article will outline how natural antihistamines will work to relieve the symptoms associated with allergies.
What are natural antihistamines?
These are substances, which when taken lead to a decrease in the production of histamine, a protein in the body that initiates an inflammatory response. The inflammatory response comes into play once in contact with an allergen.
In an allergic reaction, the allergen/ allergy-causing agent leads to the production of histamine. The histamine once released, attacks your body cells. This leads to the common symptoms like a runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing.
How do antihistamines work?
These compounds prevent the release of histamine that usually reacts with the allergens. The antihistamines sit on the sites of histamine production.
These sites are called receptors hence reducing the symptoms of allergic reactions. When bound to the receptors, the histamine causes the release of substances that are called inflammatory mediators that then cause allergy symptoms.
Best natural antihistamines
There are many medications that are available at the drug stores that can be useful antihistamines. However, there are foods that you can take and still get antihistamine effect.
Flavonoids
They have antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties. They have carotenes that play these roles.
You can get the compounds from strawberries, tomatoes, sweet potatoes as well as green pepper.
Omega-3 fatty acids
They are known to have the anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it very useful in dealing with the swelling that comes with allergies.
You can get the compound from fishes that include salmons, hemp seeds, canola or flaxseed oil.
Elderberry
It prevents swelling and inflammation that occurs in the mucous membranes. In that sense, it helps you to breathe with ease when you have allergies.
You can get it in the form of liquid syrup and you then can use it in various foods.
Quercetin
It is very effective because it prevents the immune system from releasing histamine. Research, therefore, backs it up to be used to reduce the allergic signs like watery eyes, runny nose, hives, swelling among others.
According to the study done in Japan, The University of Tokushima Graduate School, this compound suppresses the gene that produces histamine. Another study in Brazil, by the Department of Clinical Analysis found that it reduces the respiratory problems and swelling coming with allergic reactions.
Bromelain
This is an enzyme that you could find in pineapple juice and stem. This compound is also available in drug stores and shops as well as online sources. This compound is able to reduce and reverse the effects of substances that cause allergy.
Further, the compound is able to reduce the pain, inflammation and any unexpected swelling from allergy. In case you are allergic to pineapple, you may still witness allergic reactions as a side effect when trying to remedy.
Stinging nettle
It has been used for long in the treatment of various conditions like joint problems among others. Despite that, there is evidence that it can relieve symptoms of allergy. Specifically, it is used in relief from hay fever when taken as soon as they appear.
What makes this herb useful is because of the anti-inflammatory properties that it contains. Further, it contains high levels of histamine. This has shown usefulness in the treatment of the extreme cases of allergic reactions.
Natural antihistamine foods
Several antihistamines can be found in the drugs stores. However, there are herbs, supplements and extracts that you can use to achieve the same effect. The following discussion elaborates some of the best examples that you can use:
Papaya
It has very high levels of vitamin C. The vitamin has antioxidant properties, which are essential in dealing with inflammation from allergy. According to Green Pharmacy Handbook, taking a drink of the papaya or eating a papaya would give you relief from allergy.
In fact, the relevance of vitamin C is supported by a study in the Alternative Medicine Review Journal. It is estimated that there is a 38% decrease in histamine levels when you take vitamin C supplementation.
Gingko
This is a traditional Chinese herb that is used to enhance mental awareness and supporting memory. The herb has however over time found use in other conditions.
In that line, it has been used to treat allergic reactions. It has specifically been used to treat conjunctivitis.
Essential oils
You can use these oils in the place of the creams and ointments from the shop. They can be obtained from lemon, cloves and chamomile.
They can treat the eruptions of skin that come with allergic reactions. The oils cover your skin and prevent it from irritation.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been used for various conditions.
It has also been shown that acupuncture is able to reduce the symptoms like histamine activation and histamine cell producing activation.
Moringa
This is also called a superfood. From studies, it has been found that it can inhibit the production of histamine to as much as 72%.
This makes it one of the best antihistamine remedies that are available for use.
Garlic
It is a strong antioxidant and prebiotic agent. In this regard, it has been used for a long time to prevent the release of histamine from the mast cells.
For dogs
You dog is also likely to suffer from allergies from time to time. It might not be obvious for you to observe this.
Despite that, you are likely to notice that your dog is very uncomfortable and the hair peels off. You can salvage this by use of natural antihistamines.
Aloe vera
The aloe vera leaf has components called saponins. It has antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
This enables it to treat the burning sensation, itchiness and irritation that is brought about by the allergies. It is able to provide a cooling effect in the long run.
Thyme
It is full of flavonoids. The flavonoids are full of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This makes it useful in treating allergic reactions.
Further, it has antiseptic and antifungal properties. This makes it useful to get rid of infections.
Apple cider vinegar
It is able to remove the accumulated amounts of pollens and allergens. This enables it to fight the rash symptoms and itchiness coming from allergies.
You should spray it to the affected areas till your dog is relieved.
Coconut oil
It contains high amounts of lauric acid. It is able to relieve allergic responses of which production of histamine is part.
The oil is able to decrease allergic responses that include inflammatory response associated with allergies.
Chickweed
This is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. It kills the inflammation that is brought about by the release of histamine.
This is able to do away with the itching by providing a cooling effect. Further, you can use it to treat minor rashes, eczema and bites.
Natural antihistamine for cats
Your cat is also likely to suffer from attacks by allergies. In allergies, the production of histamine could lead to symptoms of coughing, sneezing, runny nose and inflammation of the sinus. Hot rashes are also common. The good news is that you can remedy this using natural antihistamines.
Fish oil
It has high amounts of omega-3 fatty acids. These acids boost your cat’s immune system and thus prevents the likelihood of secondary infections.
The omega-3 fatty acid also reduces the inflammation brought about by histamine production.
Bromelain and papain
These are natural enzymes which you will find them in the pineapple and papaya. They are able to reduce the production of histamine that brings about the inflammation in allergies.
Bromelain also reduces inflammation as a result of the mucus membrane.
Chamomile
It works the same way as aspirin does. This is basically to inhibit the component that is known to produce inflammation and in this case, histamine.
The chamomile has also demonstrated antiseptic and antibacterial properties. These properties are important in allergies to fight secondary infections.
Cat’s claw and dandelion root
Dandelion has a component called cortisol. This enables it to lower the immune system, which is known to cause allergic reactions.
Besides that, the root has the ability to improve digestion and promote detoxification by the liver. Cat’s claw keeps the functioning of your immune system under check.
Acidophilus
These are bacteria that are in the category of good bacteria. They regulate your cat’s immune system. Further, they regulate its immune system.
When these two are kept in check, then your cat is less likely to get allergic reactions. The bacteria can also reduce allergies in case they already exist.
Oatmeal
In this regard, a bath tub soak with oatmeal for your cat would be ideal. It has anti-inflammatory properties hence reduce the swelling caused by histamine release.
It also has a high content of vitamins that will be able to give relief from the itching.
Licorice root
It is able to put your immune system under regulation. This is because it has a component that is called cortisone which works in a similar manner as steroid medication.
It is able to sooth and also detoxify the liver and thereafter reducing inflammation because of the anti-inflammatory properties.
For horses
Talking of allergies, horses are not an exception. Severe allergies in horses come about as a result of cortisone use, antibiotics, unnatural environment or drugs that look like cortisone. This occurrence is normally very intense in horses. The good thing is that you can use natural remedies to treat this.
There are various natural remedies that you can use as a remedy. Some of them have been discussed above. Other natural options with antihistamine properties that you give your horse include:
- Aloe vera and chickweed for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties
- Arnica for its anesthetic properties
- Calendula for its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Supplements
When the other natural remedies do not work, then you ought to consider supplements. There are various useful supplements that help handle histamine production.
- Omega-3 supplementation. These are the commonest supplements used to treat allergies. To treat the release of histamine, you will require high doses of the supplement. You could start with about 500mg and then give it two times a day. The best oil with omega-3 fatty acids is krill oil.
- You can also take antioxidant supplements. They are able to prevent the death of cells resulting from the oxidation. They also help to prevent the release of inflammatory mediators, stimulated by release of histamine.
- You can also take organic methylsulfonatemethane also called MSM. It contains high amount of bioavailable sulfur. The sulfur in this compound is key because it boosts your immune system and thus improving your health.
- Multivitamins are also useful. It has been found out that they help improve metabolism, improve digestive system, improve the immune system and enhance growth. This mitigates the production of histamine. Multivitamins have been found to increase the cells and chemicals that enhance the immune system.
- Plant sterols. They are known to modulate the immune system. They are able to reduce the allergic reactions if they function optimally and increase allergic reactions if they function less. It has been shown that decrease of immune factors are the key causes of allergic.
They have been shown to cause the release of histamine. It would work for you if you balance your immune system using sterols and sterolins if you have frequent attacks of allergy. The sterols are also able to decrease the amount of stress hormone called cortisol and thus keeping your immune system intact.
- Further, you can also take vitamin C that contains bioflavonoids. Allergy causing substances lead to production of histamine. Vitamin C is able to prevent the production of histamine. This is different from over the counter medications that only counter histamine after it is produced.
Antihistamine for skin allergies
The skin being the largest organ of the body and an excretory organ, works in synergy with other organs. It works to help remove the toxins and wastes. Foreign substances presence in the body could be seen as hives.
These come by especially as a result of the release of histamine. Despite this, home remedies can be used to effectively get rid of the occurrence. Here are some of them;
- This is a liver and blood detoxifier. Apart from that, it is helpful in the sense that it helps to clear the debris in the cells and lymphatic system. This therefore reduces any swelling that is likely to occur.
Further, it is able to rid your skin of hives. This is by its ability to stimulate the immune system. Apart from that, it is able to exert its antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties to your skin keeping it safe.
- Chinese skullcap. It contains a number of compounds called flavonoids. These compounds have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiallergic properties.
It is able to stabilize the immune system or reduce allergen overload. This works to reduce the amount of histamine that is released at a particular time to cause an allergic reaction.
- Has antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, pain relieving and astringent properties. It is able to detoxify your body and clear any cell debris accumulating in your cells.
- This is a Chinese herb that deals with hives and tissues that are swollen as a result of allergy. More to that, it helps your body to have more capacity to deal with stress from chemicals.
- It is a very effective remedy in dealing with hives and any itch that comes with allergic reactions. Apart from that, it has great anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties. To add to that, it improves circulation of blood in tissues. This relieves swelling and carries away wastes.
Dealing with itching and eczema
It is not always the case that eczema is brought about by histamine release. Despite this, sufficient evidence show that antihistamines can give you relief from eczema. They have a calming effect that prevents eczema from getting worse.
You can take gentle doses of vitamin C and B6 to prevent eczema. Since these two minerals are slightly acidic, you are advised to take the buffered forms. This helps to prevent the irritation of your skin in the course of treatment.