Pace Paw Print

Spring is in the air. It is that time of year where people find themselves outdoors more often, breathing in that crisp spring air. The air that is full of pollen, dander, and spores to treat one's nose to an itchy scratchy symphony.

As April showers begin to pour, and May flowers start to blossom, allergy season will officially begin. For those 35,000 Americans who are plagued by watery eyes, sniffling noses, scratchy throats, rashes, and dry coughs at the changing of the seasons spring is greeted with mixed emotions.

For many, the solution to their allergy nuisance is a simple trip to the drugstore. There are popular household names like Claritin, Sinof, Tylenol Cold and Sinus, Allegra, and a slew of other over the counter and prescription medications. Unfortunately, these medical solutions are often laden with side effects including everything from basic drowsiness to insomnia. In some cases, the symptoms can be even more serious and debilitating.

Ironically a new study documented by WebMD, an online health and medicine database, has found that the best solution for allergy suffers is actually Mother Nature itself.

According to WebMD, one of the most popular of these natural remedies is an herb known as butterbur (Petasites Hybridus). Butterbur has been effective in clinical trials, and has already created a large following in Europe.

Recently, the British Medical Journal published a study by a group of Swiss researchers. According to WebMD, the study showed, "how just one tablet of butterbur four times daily was as effective as a popular antihistamine drug in controlling symptoms of hay fever, without the traditional symptom of drowsiness that sometimes occur."

In a later study that was presented at the 60th annual meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), British researchers confirmed their belief that butterbur is an effective tool in eliminating or dampening the symptoms of grass allergy.

Another popular herbal remedy that serves as the base for a series of other remedies is saline or saline nasal spray. This simple salt solution helps to rinse out the nasal cavity, clearing it of pollen and other allergens that may be present in the mucus. It also helps thin out the thick mucus that often forms when allergies are present.

The herb goldenseal is a popular herb to mix with saline nasal spray. According to Mary Hardy, MD, Director of integrative medicine at Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, "The saline works to wash out pollen and reduce or thin mucous; the goldenseal has astringent and local antibacterial properties which can aid in this process."

Certain nutrients can also aid in the easing of allergy symptoms. These nutrients are naturally occurring in foods and can also be taken as a supplement. The most popular according to James Dillard, MD clinical advisor to Columbia University's Rosenthal Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, "are grape seed extract and a flavonoid compound known as quercetin. Although both occur naturally in many foods, and are especially abundant in red wine, when used in supplement form they can be extremely helpful in reducing allergy symptoms, particularly in conjunction with vitamin C."

Dillard, as cited by WebMD, said, "There is even some evidence that quercetin may control the release of histamine and other chemicals that help initiate the allergic response."

Some people also believe that spicy foods can help dull allergies by inducing and thinning mucous secretions. This helps people clear their congested nasal cavities more easily.

One thing that many people must be careful not to do is to accidentally overdose. If people are already taking a strong antihistamine such as Allegra, and then discover an herbal remedy such as butterbur, they have to be careful to discontinue the Allegra first. In some cases, people have mistakenly doubled their dose and experienced dangerously adverse side effects.

This spring and summer there is no reason to suffer indoors while everyone else enjoys the great outdoors, or to join everyone at the expense of drowsiness and a medicine head. With all the natural alternatives that have already been under scrutiny and proven to work, more are being discovered each day. It is only fitting that Mother Nature would be the cure for the very thing she caused to begin with.

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