The promise of warmer days and sunshine is a welcome one for many when spring comes around. But while many people rejoice in saying goodbye to winter for yet another season, others may not be as excited because of their seasonal allergies. There are things you can do to ward off allergies, though, and some supplements are actually perfect for getting you back outside to enjoy spring weather without having to take an over-the-counter drug.

Even though it can be difficult to cope with the spring thaw when you’re experiencing symptoms of hay fever, supplements can make it more bearable. But what is hay fever, exactly, and what are some of the best supplements that help with hay fever symptoms?

What is hay fever?

Hay fever, also referred to allergic rhinitis, is a type of seasonal allergy that causes symptoms when a person comes into contact with allergens such as pollen, pet dander, mold, and insects. In the case of springtime allergies, the culprit behind most cases of hay fever is pollen. Hay fever causes symptoms such as:

• Congestion
• Runny nose and sneezing
• Itchy eyes, throat, or nose
• Headaches and sinus pain
• Dark circles under the eyes that don’t go away
• An increase in nasal and throat mucus
• Feeling generally unwell
• Fatigue
• Postnasal drip that can lead to a sore throat
• Difficulty breathing
• Wheezing and coughing

Many people suffer from hay fever, and know all too well that coping with so many uncomfortable symptoms for an entire season isn’t easy.

Image by Paul Morley on Unsplash: Stinging nettle is one of the best options of hay fever supplements.

What is the strongest natural antihistamine?

Antihistamines are designed to counteract the action of histamines, which are the cause of allergy symptoms. When a person breathes in an allergen such as pollen, as part of the immune response, the body releases natural chemicals known as histamines in reaction to it. This sets in motion a serious of processes within the body that drive symptoms.

Antihistamines are any type of substance (typically medications) that stop histamines from performing their job. When it comes to natural antihistamines, there are a few that can act as contenders for the leading spot in allergy relief. They include:

1. Stinging nettle

Stinging nettle is a herb commonly used in holistic medicine for a variety of ailments. Studies have found that the use of stinging nettle can provide allergy symptom relief.

2. Quercetin

Quercetin is a natural antioxidant found in various foods such as apples and onions. Research shows that when quercetin is consumed, it can actually hinder the action of histamines when it comes to respiratory symptoms specifically.

3. Bromelain

Bromelain occurs naturally in pineapples and has been shown to help treat respiratory symptoms as well as inflammation caused by hay fever.

4. Butterbur

Butterbur is a type of plant that can help allergy symptoms when taken in supplement form.

These natural antihistamines have all been clinically proven to help with allergies, but they are not the only types of supplements you can take to curb symptoms and enjoy spring weather again.

What supplements can I take to help with allergies?

There are various other supplements that can be taken to help with allergies, such as:

5. Polyphenols

Polyphenols are organic compounds that naturally occur in various plants and produce. While they can help with allergies, they have also been shown to be effective at reducing inflammation, controlling blood sugar levels, and managing blood pressure.

Polyphenols can be found in supplement form but also naturally in berries, dark chocolate, red wine, peppermint, and cloves.

6. Tomato extract

Tomato extract has also been shown to be a great aid in battling hay fever. It acts as an antioxidant because it contains lycopene. The lycopene is what really helps with hay fever, so any supplement that contains it will be a helpful aid in your battle against allergy symptoms.

7. Spirulina

Spirulina is a grouping of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. It is edible and comes in different forms. The health benefits of spirulina are vast, and one of those is reducing the symptoms of hay fever. It’s thought that its many nutrients and antioxidant effects are what makes it such a great option for improving overall health and symptoms of seasonal allergies.

Image by Kate Hliznitsova on Unsplash: What vitamins are good for pollen allergies?

8. Chlorophyll

Chlorophyll is the organic compound that gives plants their green color. It aids in the absorption of sunlight so that plants can perform photosynthesis. Along with allergy symptoms, chlorophyll supplements may also aid in weight loss, skin health, inflammation, and even cancer prevention.

9. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a well-known vitamin that many people may already be taking. According to research, vitamin C is good for various aspects of health, including allergy symptom prevention or treatment.

10. Vitamin D

Vitamin D, sometimes referred to as the sunshine vitamin, can be consumed through some foods as well as in supplement form. The biggest provider of vitamin D is the sun because the body uses the sun’s rays to synthesize the nutrient. Vitamin D is a vital nutrient for a variety of reasons, and has shown promise when it comes to reducing and managing symptoms of hay fever.

11. Probiotics

Probiotics are a collection of living organisms. Many people have heard of the benefits that probiotics have for gut health, because of their ability to introduce healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. However, research has also found that taking probiotic supplements may be helpful in reducing and managing allergy symptoms as well as improving gut health and other overall health parameters.

Allergies are not fun to deal with, but with so many natural supplement options to choose from when it comes to curbing symptoms, there is something for everybody who suffers from hay fever when the weather starts to warm.

Featured image by Coley Christine on Unsplash