Winter indoor allergies sound fairly benign, but for those that suffer regularly, they can be debilitating making it difficult to do everyday tasks.
While there are a variety of methods to help manage seasonal allergy symptoms — such as flushing nasal passages with a neti pot, increasing humidity indoors with a humidifier, and cleansing your eyes with natural eye drops — one of the most efficient proven ways is to naturally block histamines.
What am I talking about?
A seasonal allergy is simply an “immune response to an otherwise harmless substance … [that] … comes into contact with cells in the mucus membranes of your nose, mouth, throat, lungs, stomach, and intestines.” This contact “triggers the release of histamine,” which is “part of the immune system that causes all of the symptoms” associated with seasonal allergies.
Alright, so what we want are antihistamines or histamine blockers. In short, antihistamines “block histamine activity, seeking to stop the allergic reaction.”
While there are countless pharmaceutical options available over-the-counter, these drugs also come with unpleasant side effects such as nausea, drowsiness, dizziness, and even headache. This is where natural histamine blockers can really help you manage those winter indoor allergies! There are four very specific natural compounds that have been found highly effective at naturally blocking histamine including stinging nettle, quercetin, bromelain, and butterbur.
Here are a few all-natural and vegan-friendly options that you can pick up right off of Amazon!
1. Pure Mountain Botanicals Organic Stinging Nettle Leaf Capsules
Pure Mountain Botanicals Organic Stinging Nettle Leaf Capsules/Amazon.com
This Pure Mountain Botanicals Organic Stinging Nettle Leaf Capsules is an excellent way to get your daily dose of stinging nettle without the rigamarole of brewing. These capsules are vegan-friendly, kosher certified, and made with 500 milligrams of certified organic stinging nettle and nothing else. Plus, Pure Mountain Botanicals Organic Stinging Nettle Leaf capsules are free of gluten, harsh preservatives, fillers, flowing agents, sodium, benzoate, magnesium stearate, and GMOs. A 75-kosher vegan capsule bottle costs $15.99.
Sue says “I started taking Nettle about four months ago. The reason – thinning hair. So I decided to do some research and came across the benefits of Nettle. I started taking it about four months ago, and I can testify that it really works! Really! I have loads of little hairs growing in all over my head and around my face – my hair is actually looking thicker and fuller. Even my husband has commented on it. I’ve recommended it to my sister and to my daughter, both of whom are started to see the dreaded effects of thinning hair. I’m pretty happy with the results.”
2. Quercetin by MRM
Quercetin is a “natural pigment present in many fruits, vegetables, and grains” and also happens to be “one of the most abundant antioxidants in the diet … [playing] an important role in helping your body combat free radical damage, which is linked to chronic disease.” It also’s been shown as an effective antihistamine! This Quercetin by MRM is a great vegan-friendly, easy to swallow capsule form of quercetin to support you during those high seasonal allergy months. A 60-vegan capsule bottle costs $14.69.
aikoward says “Great for Allergies and respiratory issues! Husband has not had an allergy attack in 5 years. He was a chronic sufferer before.”
3. Country Life Triple Strength Bromelain
Country Life Triple Strength Bromelain/Amazon.com
Bromelain “is an enzyme derived from pineapple stem which promotes reduced inflammation and swelling, especially of the nose and sinuses,” making this compound great for allergies. This Country Life Triple Strength Bromelain is not only vegan certified but is also gluten-free certified, kosher pareve, and contains no preservatives, artificial colors, flavors, or sweeteners. Plus, these capsules are also non-GMO and free of yeast, corn, wheat, soy, milk, salt, or sugar. A 60-count bottle costs $14.99.
Baked says “this stuff is a lifesaver if you’ve got allergies-way better than than the big pharma stuff and zero side effects.”
4. Vitanica Butterbur Extra
Vitanica Butterbur Extra/Amazon.com
Butterbur is a “type of marsh plant that’s long been used for medicinal purposes … especially migraines.” Yet, this plant has also been found to be quite effective at reducing seasonal allergy symptoms. This Vitanica Butterbur Extra not only helps with migraines and allergies but is also “provides supportive nutrients and botanicals for healthy brain chemistry and vasculature.” These organic capsules are vegan and vegetarian-friendly and contain no GMOs. A 120-capsule bottle costs $41.65.
Joncee says “I too thought that I would have to live with migraine headaches and chronic sinusitis headaches on a daily basis for the rest of my life. I have suffered with chronic sinus issues for over 20 years. I have had two sinus surgeries within this timeframe. My doctors, ENT doctors, and Neurologist, has tried almost every medicine you can imagine for treatment. Nothing has helped. Many of the meds I am allergic to. I had a severe headache and panic attack about 2 years ago, and ended up in the emergency room, resulting in the doctors determining that I was suffering with a severe migraine which lead to an anxiety attack. WOW! My neurologist informed me that I probably was suffering with migraine headaches all along, and that the doctors were so focused on treating the sinus issues, they had missed the migraines. Still, no medicines were helping. The medicines only made me sick and kept in a fog…if you will. And I still had a headache everyday. I decided to ditch the meds and just suffer through the headaches. The slightest change in weather, certain foods, and various lighting in different environments would intensify my headaches. My eyesight had really started to bother me and I deal alot with blurry vision. Long story short…a friend of mind who visits a holistic doctor introduce me to Butterbur Extra … and the rest is history. I started using it this month. This stuff really works. The first couple of days, I was reluctant to become excited or to jump for joy, because I could not believe that I had experienced two days in a row without a headache. I can not believe how fast these capsules work and how there are no major side effects. I have introduced Butterbur to several of my family members, as well as some of my friends. They too, have informed me that the Butterbur is really working for them as well. Thank you for selling this product on Amazon. I am placing a refill order tonight. Once again, THANK YOU!!! I love this product.”
5. Nature’s Way Nettle Leaf
Nature’s Way Nettle Leaf/Amazon.com
Another great stinging nettle capsule! This Nature’s Way Nettle Leaf supplement undergoes careful testing and meets superior quality, while also being non-GMO project verified, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly. Independently tested by TRU-ID, Nature’s Way guarantees herbal authenticity. Plus, these capsules are also free of sugar, salt, yeast, wheat, soy, corn, dairy, and artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives. A 100-count bottle costs $8.23.
Healthy Chris says “This is my go-to for allergies. I get immunotherapy shots and take fexofenadine (Allegra) every night, but this seems to bring me to an even higher level. When I have allergies, I suffer from fatigue and brain fog — it necessarily sneaking or watery eyes. This has really helped me through this entire 2018 allergy season. I have also tried quercetin and bromelain and consider this superior.”
6. Micro Ingredients Maximum Strength Pure Quercetin Dihydrate Powder
Micro Ingredients Maximum Strength Pure Quercetin Dihydrate Powder/Amazon.com
Not a fan of the good ole supplements? How about trying a powder version such as this Micro Ingredients Maximum Strength Pure Quercetin Dihydrate Powder? Micro Ingredients guarantees a vegan-friendly, high concentration, powerful quercetin powder. This product is free of GMOs, additives, preservatives, artificial colors and flavors, soy, fillers, and is also gluten-free. Plus, it’s super easy to consume! Just add to your favorite smoothie or shake and you’re all set. A 100-gram bag costs $19.95.
Sheryl A. Cordivari says “I’ve been suffering from allergies that have worsened over the last seven months. I believe that stress-induced them. Either way, I’ve been breaking out with hives and have experienced lip swelling. I did not want to take a prescription medication every day of my life, so I looked into natural alternatives and found Quercetin. I am only 3 days in, and have been hive free so far! It’s truly a blessing to have found this product. I also take the sodium ascorbate version of vitamin c. Please look into quercetin!!!! It works so well!! A+++++.”
7. Revly Bromelain
By choosing Revly, you’ll get a high-quality product that doesn’t sacrifice an affordable price. This Revly Bromelain is gluten-free, vegan-friendly and is also a great source of calcium. One bottle lasts up to two months! A 60-tablet bottle costs $9.99.
Rk Star says “I have had sinus issues for a really long time. I’ve been using this for a few days now and have found a reduction in my sinus congestion and find my sense of smell returning. Bromelain is derived from the pineapple plant and is said to help a variety of issues. So far, I’m finding results with my overall sinus inflammation as well as my joints. I will continue to take this.”
8. Solaray Butterbur Extract
Solaray Butterbur Extract/Amazon.com
This Solaray Butterbur Extract “contains active components called petasins that promote proper circulation, particularly to the brain.” This supplement promises to support neurological activity, maintain proper functioning of the smooth muscle tissue, plus butterbur has been shown to help decrease allergy symptoms. This vegan-friendly, 60-count bottle costs $16.09.
Danni1226 says “This was referred to me by a member of my family and from her neurologist for severe migraines. I was having debilitating migraines for weeks at a time. Have been taking this for three weeks and the transformation is incredible! Not only have I only had one MINOR manageable migraine, but when a headache onsets, I can either take Motrin or it goes away on its own. HIGHLY recommend.”
9. Traditional Medicinals Organic Nettle Herbal Leaf Tea
Traditional Medicinals Organic Nettle Herbal Leaf Tea/Amazon.com
If powders simply aren’t your thing and you can’t stand supplements, take a spin with some tea? This Traditional Medicinals Organic Nettle Herbal Leaf Tea takes all the work out of extracting those vital compounds from raw stinging nettle. Not only does this tea help block those histamines, but it also supports joint health and overall wellness. This tea is non-GMO verified, certified organic and kosher, and caffeine-free! It’s described as earthy, fresh, and grassy. A pack of 6 costs $23.52.
Christie O says “This product was first purchased and sent to my brother in CA who has about 50% of kidneys function with high bilirubin and creatinine that was very high propping his DR to recommend dialysis but a miracle happened when he decided to drink this TEA and his last LAB result came down from 17 to 3.7 and the DIALYSIS was canceled. PRAISE the LORD.”
10. Doctor’s Best Quercetin Bromelain
Doctor’s Best Quercetin Bromelain/Amazon.com
Looking to really get the best bang for your buck? This Doctor’s Best Quercetin Bromelain contains both quercetin and bromelain, helping to “ensure appropriate immune response” while also promoting “circulatory health in part by supporting the integrity of small blood vessels.” This product is free of GMOs and gluten and is vegan-friendly! A 180-vegan/veggie capsule bottle costs $20.07.
yogagirl says “This is great for allergy relief! After years of allergies, no more suffering. It does not work overnight. It took about six months before I noticed the difference.”
We also highly recommend downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 15,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!
For more Vegan Food, Health, Recipe, Animal, and Life content published daily, don’t forget to subscribe to the One Green Planet Newsletter!
Being publicly-funded gives us a greater chance to continue providing you with high-quality content. Please support us!
Comments