Supplements for Allergy Symptom Control

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) // 60mp daily; therapeutic dose 500 to 5,000 mg daily // Vitamin C is both an anti-oxidant and an anti-inflammatory which helps reduce symptoms in asthmatics and relieves allergic rhinitis symptoms. Vitamin C also aids in removing environmental toxins from the body. Vitamin C is found in oranges, grapefruits, kiwis, lemons, avocados and parsley. The most effective supplemental form of vitamin C is ascorbic acid.

Vitamin E // 30 IU daily; therapeutic dose 200-800 IU daily // Vitamin E acts as an anti-inflammatory and antihistamine during an allergic response. Vitamin E also helps maintain the elastic quality in cells that increases elasticity in muscles—this is important for allergy-induced arthritis

Vitamin B5 // no recommended dose; therapeutic dose 10 to 2,000 mg daily // Vitamin B5, or Pantothenic Acid, in doses up to 1,500 mg per day, has an antihistamine effect. It also reduces the effects of stress on the body. B5 is found in liver, meat, chicken, whole grains and legumes.

Bioflavonoids // no recommended dose; 500 mg twice daily // Bioflavonoids are pigments within plans and fruits that act as an antioxidant. Bioflavinoids enhance the benefits of Vitamin C by increasing the absorption of Vitamin C into the liver, kidneys and adrenal glands. Bioflavonoids also strengthen collagen structure, which are vital for the integrity of connective tissue in cases of allergy-induced arthritis.  Bioflavonoids are found in 4,000+ types of food. Anthrocyanidin, a bioflavonoid, gives deep red and blue color to blueberries, blackberries, cherries, grapes and hawthorn berries. Other food sources include grapefruit, lemon, oranges, apples, apricots, pears, peaches, tomatoes, cherries, cranberries, red cabbage, onions, rhubarb, milk thistle, sage, grape skins, pine bark, red wine, and green tea.

Quercetin // no recommended dose; therapeutic dose 200 to 1,000 mg daily // Quercetin is a bright yellow pigment found in onions and green tea which has anti-inflammatory properties useful in treating allergic inflammation. Quercetin also is effective in treating nasal/eye symptoms of allergic rhinitis.

Magnesium // 400 mg daily; therapeutic dose 500 to 1,000 mg daily // Magnesium stimulates adrenal and immune function, relaxes smooth muscles, and serves as a bronchodilator and antihistimine. This helps relieve asthma symptoms. Magnesium is found in tofu, nuts, seeds, kale, seaweed, and clorophyll.

Essential Fatty Acids (EFAs) // less than one cup of flaxseed oil per day // EFAs are derived only from the diet and cannot be manufacture by the body, yet EFAs are essential for pro- and anti-inflammatory prostglandins. Diets high in animal fats (which are usually too high in omega-6) contain arachidonic acid that causes inflammation. Too much arachidonic acid provokes asthma attacks due to constriction of bronchial passages.  Omega-6 fatty acids are beneficial n borage oil, black currant oil and evening primrose oil. Omega-3 fatty acids contain anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, found in flaxseed oil. Avoid hydrogenated fats and trans-fatty acids which directly contribute to inflammation. This includes margarine/Crisco, diet foods, mayonnaise, crackers, chips, cookies, candy, packaged breads, canned soups, breakfast cereals, microwave popcorn and frozen entrees.
 
Botanical Medicines
Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) // 600 mg daily // A perennial herb indigenous to Europe and North America, stinging nettle is effective in treating anemia, benign prostatic hyperplasia, skin ailments and dieresis.

Ginkgo biloba // up to six, 400 to 500 mg capsules per day, or 20-30 drops of tincture three times per day // Ginkgo contains biochemical compounds that protect the intestine by reducing oxidative damage due to free-radical activity. Ginkgo extract also suppresses platelet-activating factor (PAF), a chemical, which mediates allergic inflammation.

Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra) // up to six, 400 to 500mg capsules per day, or 20-30 drops of tincture three times per day // Licorice is helpful in relieving the symptoms of atopic eczema because of the herb’s promotion of cortisone. Licorice root can reduce the gastric bleeding caused by NSAIDs. 500 mg of deglycerated licorice helps gastric bleeding. Licorice Root is not recommended for people with heart disease, liver disease, hypertension or pregnant women. People taking glucocorticoid drugs should not use licorice without the supervision of a physician.

Chinese Skullcap or Scule (Scutellaria baicalensis) // Recommended dosage 10 to 30 drops of tincture daily // Skullcap’s active ingredient, baicalin, is responsible for its anti-inflammatory action. It destroys an enzyme system, which inhibits the release of antibodies and prevents allergic response. Skullcap is useful for treating atopic dermatitis, asthma and bronchial constriction due to allergy.

Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium) // three, 300 to 400 mg capsules per day or 15 to 30 drops of tincture daily // Often times more effective at controlling pain and inflammation than asprin or NSAIDs due to its ability to block the production of inflammatory chemicals and ability to slow the migration of certain white blood cells to the inflamed area. Feverfew is also effective in reducing migraine headaches and rheumatoid arthritis. Do not use if pregnant or allergic to the aster family.
 
Chinese Herbal Formulas:
Always consult a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner before taking herbal supplements. Dosages vary depending on your symptoms, and can include the following herbs:

Apricot Seed (Pruni armeniacae or Xing Ren) // A cough suppressant and expectorant, the mature apricot tree is used in many Chinese formulas to relieve coughing and wheezing. Apricot seed also has laxative effects. Apricot seeds can be toxic in high doses

Astragalus (Astragali or Huang Qi) // Astragalus root has cardiovascular effects such as dilating blood vessels and improving circulation of the skin. It also has antibacterial properties.

Centipede (Centipeda minima or Shi-Hu-Sui) // Centipede has anti-inflammatory properties. It is traditionally used to relieve stuffy nose, cough and sinusitis.

Corydalis (Corydalis ambigua or Yan Hu Suo) // The root of the corydalis plant is used to relieve pain. The alkaloid corydaline B is responsible for raising the pain threshold and relaxing muscles.

Chrysanthemum Flower (Chrysanthemi morifolli or Ju Hua) // The chrysanthemum flower has a hypotensive effect, meaning it’s able to lower blood pressure by dilating blood vessels, and relieve the rapid onset of inflammatory conditions, including headaches and red, painful tearing or dry eyes.

Ginseng (Panaz ginseng or Ren Shen) // In the case of allergy, ginseng is an antihistamine and is ble to inhibit tissue swelling and inflammation as well as tonify the lungs. Overuse of ginseng can lead to headaches, insomnia and increased blood pressure.

Magnolia Flower (Magnolia liliflorae or Kin Yin Hua) // The magnolia flower is used to treat symptoms of sinus infection, inflammation, nasal congestion, and headache. It is a hypotensive and also has sedative effects.

Perilla Seed (Perillae semen or Tsu Su Tsu) // This extracted oil from the seed of the perilla plant is used to relieve asthma symptoms, including cough and phlegm. Perilla seed oil I also high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Xanthium (Xanthii or Can Er Zi) // A fruit from the xanthim (cocklebur) plant is used to treat headaches, sinus discharge, pain, arthiritis with numbness, skin disorders, and itching. It is effective for chronic allergic rhinitis and is also effective as an antibacterial. Linoleic acid (an omega-6 EFA) is an active constituent of xanthim.