Natural Antihistamine Alternatives
High blood pressure is a major problem in the U.S. and, among the causes of Hypertension is the use of antihistamines like Benadryl, especially when it contains decongestants.
Taking Benadryl will increase your heart rate, and therefore, the heart must work faster and harder. The added pressure affects the arteries, which worsens in those with hypertension already.
Taking Benadryl will increase your heart rate, and therefore, the heart must work faster and harder. The added pressure affects the arteries, which worsens in those with hypertension already.
It’s best just to avoid antihistamine drugs and blood pressure problems. If you want to avoid drugs altogether for treating allergies and other allergic conditions like eczema and hives, there are natural antihistamines that can help with this problem.
The following are a few natural antihistamines to consider before taking antihistamines like Benadryl or related medicines containing decongestants.
1. Stinging Nettle
Research shows that dried stinging nettle works better than a placebo for allergy relief. The anti-inflammatory abilities of stinging nettle affect key receptors and enzymes in allergic reactions, so it is useful for hay fever, insect bites, and other allergic conditions. Stinging Nettle is found as a common weed in most urban neighborhoods.2. Bromelain
Bromelain is found in pineapple and can treat all sorts of histamine-related conditions like asthma and allergies.Research also suggests that bromelain can reduce the development of asthma.
3. Quercetin
Quercetin is found naturally in onions, citrus fruits, Apples, Okra and Cruciferous Greens like Cabbage, Kale, Broccoli, and Cauliflower. Quercetin is a bioflavonoid that stabilizes the release of histamine and controls allergy symptoms.4. Neti Pot
The neti pot is a traditional device used in Ayurvedic medicine to clear the nasal passages of allergens and irritants. filling the pot with purified water and salt, then pour the water into your nose and nasal passages, from one side then out through the other side...
Studies show that the neti pot is effective for treating and preventing several upper respiratory infections like the common cold, acute sinusitis, and seasonal allergies.
5. Essential Oils
Some powerful essential oils can also treat allergy symptoms and boost the immune system. Research shows that the anti-inflammatory effects of peppermint oil can help reduce symptoms of bronchial asthma and hay fever.
Other antihistamine essential oils include basil oil, eucalyptus oil, lemon oil, and tea tree oil.
6. Antihistamine Diet
An anti-inflammatory diet will contain natural antihistamine foods. This includes certain fruits and vegetables such as watercress, pea sprouts, garlic, onion, thyme, ginger, turmeric, apples, avocado, coconut oil, pomegranate, capers, peaches, mung bean sprouts, rice, and quinoa.
Natural antihistamines are an alternative to Benadryl and can provide some relief. It is beneficial to try an antihistamine diet with lots of vegetables and fruit, quercetin, bromelain, and stinging nettle. The use of a neti pot and essential oils like peppermint oil, eucalyptus oil, or basil oil can also help.
How do antihistamines work?
Your allergies are an immune response to an otherwise harmless substance. This substance — whether it’s pollen or dust — comes into contact with cells in the mucus membranes of your nose, mouth, throat, lungs, stomach, and intestines. This triggers the release of histamine.Histamine is a part of the immune system that causes all of the symptoms you associate with allergies — the sneezing and cold-like symptoms you dislike. Antihistamines block histamine activity, seeking to stop the allergic reaction.
Many allergy medications on the shelves of your local drugstore work as antihistamines. But there are also certain foods and plant extracts that can have similar effects on histamine production.
