The Best Natural Supplement for Allergy Relief

Have you been in search of a natural supplement as an alternative to your prescription allergy medication for your seasonal allergies?  Have you been hiding from the coming of Spring weather which for some, means sunshine and smelling the blooms of fresh flowers, but unfortunately for you, means sneezing, wheezing and closing your windows?  It is time then, to up your intake of the antioxidant that comes in many forms: delicious fruits, vegetables and easy to swallow capsules.  You need quercetin.

What is Quercetin?

Quercetin is a plant pigment, or flavanoid, antioxidant.  I’m sure that keyword “antioxidant” rung a bell with all you: the cancer fighting, super-food maker.  This yellow flavanol can be found in chili peppers, berries, apples, green tea, and many other fruits, vegetables and some grains.  This abundant compound can perform the following magic tricks on a person:

  • fight inflammation
  • help with chronic pain
  • help allergies
  • protect again dermatitis
  • increase endurance
  • help with heart health
  • decrease blood pressure

pollenWhy is it the best natural supplement for allergies?

To save myself the trouble of fumbling over technical, scientific talk, I’ll just quote from someone else WHY Quercetin is the perfect natural allergy remedy:

Quercetin is a natural antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory, making it effective for naturally lowering the effects of season and food allergies, plus asthma and skin reactions. Histamines are chemicals that are released when the immune system detects an allergy or sensitivity, and they are what account for uncomfortable symptoms we face whenever the body has an allergic reaction.
Quercetin can help stabilize the release of histamines from certain immune cells, which results in decreased symptoms like coughs, watery eyes, runny noses, hives, swollen lips or tongue, and indigestion. In fact, it’s so effective that quercetin is used in ancient Chinese herbal formulas created to block allergies to certain foods (such as peanuts), known as food allergy herbal formulas. Studies show that quercetin, a natural medicine and phytochemical, is equivalent at fighting allergies as some prescription medications, all with little to no side effects. (Source)


This is the one I take

Over the counter and prescription allergy medication, like all other manufactured drugs, come with their share of side effects.  Allergy medications have many benefits, but can also interfere with blood pressure, cause heart palpitations, drowsiness, fatigue and possible impair cognitive function and memory.  For some people, the benefits do not outweigh the possible risks.  Which is were the natural remedies come to save the day, like quercetin.

Where can you get Quercetin?

If you have a diet that’s rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, you have a diet that is pumping your beautiful body with this antioxidant.  Grapefruits, leafy greens, apples and okra to name a few all contain this antioxidant.  It’s even in red wine!  Some people may be lead to wonder why they still suffer from allergies, if they already have a plant based, veggie heavy diet–shouldn’t their quercetin intake be covered?  Well as an example, let’s look at an apple and how much quercetin it has:

Apples supply a significant dietary source of quercetin, according to a report in Psychology Today. The U.S. Department of Agriculture finds that fresh, whole apples supply about 4.4 milligrams of quercetin for every 100 grams of apple. As a medium-sized apple is typically about 150 grams, apples may contain up to about 10 milligrams of quercetin each. To optimize quercetin content, it is important to also eat their pigment-rich skin. Apples without skin contain less than half the amout of quercetin as whole apples. Apple juice typically contains less than one-tenth the amount of quercetin in a whole apple. (Source)

Quercetin-chart


How much of this supplement do I take?

In order to see results pertaining to real allergy relief, you need about 1600-2400 mg. With that being said, unless you eat a TON of fruits and veggies, daily, you may want to consider taking a supplement to be completely sure that your body is provided with the correct amount.  My motto, when it comes to preparing for allergy season is: you can never have too much quercetin.

I am so happy to say that I don’t suffer from allergies as bad as I have in the past.  I’ve even seen improvement over the past year since taking this natural supplement.  My Aunt told me of this natural secret!  After a few days of taking four capsules of quercetin (with bromelain, because that helps with absorption), I felt relief.  Real relief. The flare ups went away.  I wasn’t the most diligent pill popper, so I didn’t take the recommended dosage every single day, even still, I had relief from my allergies.

This stuff works, if you are getting the proper dosage.  The capsules that are available today also come with bromelain, an anti-inflammatory enzyme that helps with respiratory distress and increasing absorption of quercetin.  I wouldn’t waste my time and money on a supplement that didn’t come with something to increase absorption.  Get you’re money’s worth–you deserve it.

***Word of Caution if Pregnant: A study on mice showed that it could affect adulthood.  Read about it here***

Allergies are an expression of our health as our bodies respond to potentially harmful substances.  We are in fact healthy, while suffering from allergies.  It can be hard to see ourselves as happy while suffering.  Allergy medication allows us to enjoy life!  Quercetin allows us to enjoy life minus all of the side effects 😉

About Jeanette 137 Articles
This is me being me so that you will be you. I'm a woman who smiles till my cheeks ache, crochets until my fingers twitch, hugs the hell out of my Hubby and children and in between these things I make the time to read, cook, write and attempt to inspire others to do something to improve their overall health.

2 Comments

  1. This is a great article Nette and very informative. I love quercetin for all of the reasons you describe. I have taken it for years to manage my allegies and it has worked wonders for me! Thank you gor sharing the knowledge!

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