Studies of natural remedies are growing but there is little government oversight of the potency, purity, and identity of dietary supplements compared with that of prescription and over-the-counter drugs. So you should exercise caution with any herbs or other dietary supplements, especially with young children, and avoid taking them if you are pregnant.
Remember that some "natural" remedies may contain dangerous ingredients and can harm people who have certain allergies or medical conditions or take certain medications. Be sure to consult a doctor or pharmacist before using any supplements or hay fever natural remedies.
Here's how our Natural Medicine Ratings (subscribers only), from the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, the leading medical reference on natural remedies, rates the effectiveness and safety of products commonly used to treat hay fever. Products are rated on the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence. .Note that the material used in most clinical trials is purified and weighted, unlike what is sold in many health-food stores and pharmacies. You should look for the USP verification mark on any dietary supplement you buy. Otherwise, there is no guarantee that what's on the label is really in the bottle.
Butterbur: Possibly effective
Butterbur, one of the best-studied natural medicines for allergies, may ease hay-fever symptoms, possibly by reducing levels of histamines and leukotrienes, chemicals that can set off an allergic response. But the long-term safety of butterbur is unknown. And some preparations may also contain certain chemicals, called pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), that can harm the liver and lungs. If you decide to try it, look for products containing at least 7.5 milligrams of petasin and isopetasin, the presumed active ingredients. And only use butterbur products that are labeled free of PAs. Steer clear of the herb if you're allergic to ragweed; it's related to that plant family and could produce an allergic response. Finally, you should not take butterbur if you have liver disease or if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.
Phleum pratense (Timothy grass): Possibly effective
The pollen of the phleum pratense plant is used to reduce allergy symptoms. Some clinical studies show that taken in small doses, phleum pratense can desensitize the body to grass-pollen allergies and reduce allergic symptoms in patients with seasonal grass-pollen symptoms as well as asthma. Phleum pratense is possibly safe for most adults and children ages 3 to 16 years, but it can cause adverse reactions, including itching of the mouth and nose, and irritation of the throat, as well as blisters in the mouth and a runny nose. Do not take phleum pratense if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Tinospora cordifolia (Indian tinospora, moonseed): Possibly effective
A shrub plant native to India, tinospora cordifolia is thought to boost the immune system, and there is some evidence that it can decrease hay-fever symptoms including sneezing, itchy and runny nose, and stuffiness. Tinospora cordifolia is known to be safe if taken for up to eight weeks, but beyond that its safety is not known. It should not be taken if you are pregnant or breast-feeding, if you have an immune disorder, or if you are scheduled for surgery within two weeks. Tinospora cordifolia should also be avoided if you are taking medication for diabetes or drugs that are meant to suppress your immune system. Be sure to talk with your doctor if you aren't sure.
Echinacea: Insufficient evidence
Though some research has suggested that this common herb acts as an anti-inflammatory, there's no solid evidence that it eases hay-fever symptoms. Echinacea may also interact with drugs that suppress the immune system, such as cyclosporine (Sandimmune and generic). People with an immune-system disorder should avoid it, as should those with ragweed allergies because it's also related to that plant family.
Stinging nettle leaf: Insufficient evidence
Evidence suggests that extracts of this plant may fight inflammation and modestly curb hay-fever symptoms. But it's still too soon to tell, so don't rely on it. Avoid stinging nettle if you're diabetic; it may increase the effects of some diabetes medication. It may also decrease the effectiveness of the blood-thinning drug warfarin (Coumadin and generic).
Grape-seed extract: Possibly ineffective
Derived from parts of the grape plant, grape-seed extract is sometimes advertised as a natural antihistamine. But it does not appear to quell hay-fever symptoms.
Many experts recommend first trying better-established strategies to treat hay-fever symptoms. Prescription or over-the-counter allergy medication may provide relief. For more information, see our Best Buy Drugs report on allergy treatments.
