Natural Allergy Treatment vs. Medications

Medicine can do wonders for the human body and if you’re an allergy sufferer, you’re probably willing to try almost anything to relieve your symptoms. Some people swear by their home-concocted natural home remedies while others are happy to stick with drugstore antihistamines. So, are natural allergy treatments any better than medications?

The benefits of natural allergy remedies

Though there may not be quite as much research that has investigated the effectiveness of natural treatments for allergy compared to the abundance of scientific literature surrounding medical interventions, for many people with mild to moderate allergy, it’s just a matter of giving it a good go.

You may prefer a non-drug alternative to allergy treatment for the lower risk of side effects and gentler action. Among other known side effects, oral antihistamines have the potential to cause drowsiness (particularly older generation medications), dizziness, a dry mouth or nose, and headache. Overusing nasal decongestant sprays can result in a medication dependency, known as rhinitis medicamentosa.

The perception of a holistic approach to allergy management can be attractive to some. Instead of just suppressing the symptoms of allergy, many natural remedies aim to remove or minimize the underlying triggers.

Some natural remedies can also be more cost-effective and more easily accessible than drugstore treatments. In fact, some treatments can probably already be found in your kitchen, such as local raw honey, apple cider vinegar, garlic, turmeric, green or peppermint tea, and pineapple.

Are natural allergy treatments better than medications?

Natural remedies certainly have some advantages over medications for allergy treatment for the reasons discussed above. For some patients, taking these non-drug approaches can be enough to get you back to your congestion-, sniffle-, itchy-free self but for others, natural treatments may not be enough.

Most healthcare professionals involved in managing allergy will suggest a two-pronged approach to sorting out those pesky symptoms – anti-allergy medications supported by natural remedies. After all, if you can reduce your exposure to allergens simply by having a shower, why not?

Medical treatments for allergies can provide a more predictable response – these medications and their active ingredients have been studied and properly formulated to target allergic conditions, and the clinicians who prescribe them are experienced in their use. If your allergies are severe or persistent, it’s most likely you will benefit from taking allergy medications over natural home remedies alone.

Home remedies for allergy

Other non-drug allergy treatments to consider include:

• Acupuncture with an experienced acupuncturist
• Spicy foods to help clear congestion (if you’ve ever ended up with a runny nose after a burger slathered in hot sauce, you know what we mean!)
• Essential oils that can reduce inflammation, such as lemongrass, eucalyptus, peppermint, and frankincense
• Certain nutrients, such as quercetin (found in kale, broccoli, blueberries, chives, chili peppers, and others), and vitamin C (found in cabbage, oranges, strawberries, kiwi fruit, and others), which can help to reduce allergy symptoms
• Probiotics (whether supplements or probiotic-friendly foods like yogurt and sauerkraut) to support your gut microbiome and its role in immune health and allergy

If all of the above fail…

If even antihistamine medications aren’t relieving your allergy symptoms, don’t despair. You still have options with an appropriately qualified ENT doctor with allergy training who may suggest allergy immunotherapy or surgery for a deviated septum.

Bonus:
Five tips to manage your upcoming summer allergies without using drugs, including the benefits of saline nasal washes.