Seasonal Allergies and Complementary Health Approaches

Seasonal Allergies and Complementary Health Approaches

A variety of complementary health approaches, including natural products and mind and body practices, have been studied for seasonal allergies (also called allergic rhinitis or hay fever). There’s some evidence that the herb butterbur may be helpful. However, it’s uncertain whether long-term use of this herb is safe. The evidence on other natural products, such as probiotics, honey, grape seed extract, and omega-3 fatty acids, is either inconsistent or too limited to show whether these products are helpful. The results from several studies suggest that acupuncture may be helpful for seasonal allergy symptoms. Rinsing the sinuses with a neti pot (a device from the Ayurvedic tradition) or other devices may be useful. To avoid the risk of dangerous infections, it’s important to use distilled, sterile, or boiled (and cooled) water; untreated tap water may not be safe. Find out more