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ALLERGY REVIEW (2)
Nutritional Support For Springtime Allergies
Plants to Avoide - Plants to take
Nita Bishop, Clinical Herbalist
Flavonoids and Carotenes
Bioflavonoids are a complex family of naturally-occurring compounds found in many plants, especially fruits and vegetables.
Quercetin - a flavonoid found in fruits, flowers, and herbs - may reduce IgE formation, inhibit the release of histamine, and reduce or eliminate allergy symptoms. Additionally, quercetin works to control asthma as an antioxidant and an anti-inflammatory compound. For optimal absorption, quercetin is usually combined with bromelain, the anti-inflammatory enzyme from pineapple. Bromelain can also be beneficial taken by itself.
Parsley (Apium petroselinum) also has a bioflavonoid content and is considered by herbalists as an excellent anitoxidant.
Carotenoids, found in fruits and vegetables, are powerful antioxidants and in part act to reduce leukotriene production and strengthen the respiratory tract lining. A diet high in carrots, yams, pumpkins, greens and other foods high in carotenoids and xanthophylls reduces allergic reactivity.
Additional Antioxidants
Antioxidants can reduce allergic reactions. Specifically, vitamin C is a powerful antihistamine with both preventive and therapeutic properties. It also suppresses broncho-constriction, which is important for those suffering from allergic symptoms.
High levels of vitamin C, with supportive bioflavonoids, is an important part of any good daily dietary regimen. A common allergy recommendation for vitamin C is 1,000 - 2,000 mg three times a day. Garlic has also been shown to suppress the overproduction of IgE. Garlic is also a potent antioxidant herb and immune system stimulator and contains relatively large levels of quercetin.
Vitamin A and Zinc may also alleviate allergy symptoms and prevent sinusitis infections. They help to heal the gastrointestinal mucosa, in turn improving or normalizing the antibody response to antigens, which is often misappropriated in people with allergies.
Herbal Intervention in Allergies
A number of studies show positive effects of herbs on bronchodilation, clearance of mucus, pulmonary function tests, and antagonism of asthma mediators such as histamine, platelet activating factor, and corticosteroid levels.
There is no known botanical whose mechanism of action exactly matches antihistamines, however, IgE antibody formation alone does not constitute an allergic reaction. Antihistamines do not address the underlying problem since blocking histamine only provides temporary relief. Consequently, herbs can help address these underlying problems, as well as other inflammatory mediators involved in the allergic process. For example, much of the allergic response in allergic bronchial asthma, and the inflammation which presents has been traced from a pathway which begins with arachidonic acid and follows with the formation of lipoxygenase. The unstable compounds that are then formed become leukotrienes which produce bronchoconstrictive actions. Recent studies in the treatment of allergy and asthma have suggested creating lipoxygenase antagonists in order to treat such conditions.
Ephedra sinica (Ma huang)
Ma huang, a rigid tufted plant, has been used since ancient times in China to treat asthma and hay fever. It is the original source of the decongestant pseudoephedrine and is still considered to be the most effective herbal decongestant. The alkaloids in ma huang have similar actions to the common asthma drugs known as beta agonists, which dilate the bronchial tubes and ease breathing.. The alkaloid found in the leaves may increase blood pressure, but paradoxically the ephedra root contains a compound known to the Chinese as mao-kon, which acts to lower blood pressure. Therefore, use of the whole plant produces a balanced action. However, much of the marketed ephedra is made from the leaves only, and will stimulate the nervous system and can cause increased heart rate, insomnia, and agitation. Consequently, it should not be given to children under 13 years of age, pregnant women, or anyone with high blood pressure. |