Herbs For Allergies Prevention And Relief

Soothing herbs such as slippery elm, marshmallow root, and mallow provide comfort to an irritated respiratory tract. Mullein and elecampane are powerful respiratory tonics as well. They can help to open up clogged, tight airways and thin mucus. Mullein eases hard raspy coughs. It reduces inflammation.

Yerba Santa is an herb from western North America. It has antimicrobial actions which may help to prevent secondary infections if you are prone to respiratory infections secondary to allergies. It is an expectorant as well. Oregon grape root and barberry root are valuable as well for the same effects.

Eyebright is used to reduce runny noses and minimize eye irritation, such as watery or itchy eyes.

My favorite herb to relieve nasal congestion is goldenrod. Many people believe that goldenrod causes hay fever. In actuality, the more likely culprit is ragweed which blooms at the same time as golden rod, often in the same locations. I make a goldenrod tea by covering one teaspoon of dried goldenrod leaf with one cup of boiling water. After letting the tea infuse, covered for twenty minutes; I strain out the herb, compost the plant matter and drink the tea. Within minutes, my sinuses drain heavily. After about fifteen minutes I am remarkably better.

Another way to decongest a stuffy head is by making an herbal steam. Obtain some eucalyptus, rosemary, sage, or thyme from your kitchen cupboard or an herb store. Sprinkle about one fourth of a cup of the herb over a bowl of steaming hot water. Cover your head with a towel and inhale the herbal steam for about twenty minutes. As an added bonus to clearing your head, you will get a complementary facial steam and your skin will look and feel radiant.

You have many options when employing herbs to treat allergies. Use herbs for prevention of allergies as well as to relieve symptoms.

Herbs may be may be consumed as capsules, tea, tablets, syrups, or tinctures.

Author

This article was written for Insights-on-Health.com in Oct 2013 by Patricia Bratianu RN PhD RH-AHG. Patricia has been a Registered Nurse for almost forty years in a wide variety of settings. As a Registered Nurse, she realized that conventional healthcare was not meeting the needs of all patients. She became an herbalist and obtained a PhD in Natural Health. Patricia is a professional member of the American Herbalist’s Guild, passing the stringent peer reviewed process to become a Registered Herbalist.

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