Allergies (Hay Fever)

Why it works: Mast-cell stabilization & antihistamine action. Quercetin can inhibit mast-cell activation and histamine release—the same pathway targeted by many allergy medicines. Reviews and la...

Instructions: Dose range used in studies/monographs: Most adult supplements fall in 250–1000 mg/day (often split) for up to 12 weeks—consistent with common clinical monographs. WebMD. Formulatio...

Warnings: Drug interactions (metabolism/transport): Quercetin can inhibit CYP3A4, CYP2D6, CYP2C8 and affect P-...

Studies: Quercetin phytosome 200 mg/day for 4 weeks (randomized, doub...

Why it works: Active compounds with anti-allergic actions. Chinese skullcap is rich in flavones—baicalin, baicalein, and wogonin—that dampen inflammatory and allergic signaling. In animal and ce...

Instructions: Forms & typical practitioner use (informational):. • As part of multi-herb formulas: In clinical trials for perennial allergic rhinitis, skullcap was included among ingredients in...

Warnings: Liver injury has been reported. Case reports describe acute liver injury after products containing b...

Studies: Human studies relevant to allergic rhinitis:Nasal spray, sma...

Why it works: Antihistamine effect & mast-cell modulation. Vitamin C participates in histamine breakdown and may reduce circulating histamine; low plasma vitamin C correlates with markedly highe...

Instructions: Oral vitamin C (most common):. • Typical trialed dose for hay fever symptoms: 1,000 mg (1 g) daily, short-term (about a week) during symptomatic periods. In a small controlled stud...

Warnings: Do not exceed UL (2,000 mg/day in adults). Higher intakes commonly cause diarrhea, cramping, and nau...

Studies: Controlled oral trial in allergic rhinitis: 1 g/day for 7 da...

Why it works: Blocks several allergy pathways (in vitro): Nettle extracts have shown activity at multiple points in the allergic cascade—antagonizing/negatively agonizing the histamine H1 recept...

Instructions: There isn’t a universally accepted, standardized dosing protocol for allergic rhinitis; preparations vary. These are the best-documented ways it’s been used in trials or clinical r...

Warnings: Pregnancy & lactation: Most authorities recommend avoiding nettle during pregnancy and breastfeeding...

Studies: Freeze-dried leaf (Planta Medica, 1990 RCT): 98 participants...

Why it works: TCM rationale: YPFS “tonifies qi” and strengthens wei-qi (the body’s defensive layer) to reduce wind-triggered allergy flares. Classical indications include recurrent colds, sponta...

Instructions: Who it suits (pattern): Best for qi-deficiency/exterior-deficiency presentations—easy sweating, aversion to drafts, recurrent colds—with allergic rhinitis. Not for strong “excess”...

Warnings: Medication interactions (most important):. • Avoid with immunosuppressants / post-transplant: YPFS c...

Studies: Systematic review & meta-analysis (adults):22 RCTs of YP...

Why it works: Decongestant & anti-inflammatory actions. Magnolia flower buds (Flos Magnoliae; Xin Yi Hua) contain bioactives such as magnolol and related neolignans with anti-allergic/anti-infla...

Instructions: Classical formula & dosage (decoction or granules). “Xin Yi San” is a classical 9-herb formula (chiefs include Xin Yi Hua and Qiang Huo/Notopterygium). Typical decoction dosing of...

Warnings: Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Avoid during pregnancy. Magnolia flower bud has reports of uterine stimul...

Studies: Randomised controlled trial (human):Traditional Chinese medi...

Why it works: Immune re-balancing (Th1/Th2 & Tregs): Several reviews and a 28-trial meta-analysis suggest certain probiotic strains can modestly reduce nasal/eye symptoms and improve quality of...

Instructions: Choose an evidence-based strain/product. • Benefits in allergic rhinitis appear strain-specific, not “any probiotic.” Look for the exact strain on the label and match it to clinica...

Warnings: Immunocompromised or critically ill patients, and those with central venous catheters: Rare but seri...

Studies: Systematic reviews/meta-analysesFrontiers in Immunology 2022...

Why it works: Leukotriene inhibition (petasins): Standardized leaf CO₂ extracts of Petasites hybridus (e.g., Ze 339) inhibit leukotriene biosynthesis—key inflammatory mediators in allergic rhini...

Instructions: Typical regimens studied:. Ze 339 (standardized leaf CO₂ extract):. • 8 mg petasins per tablet, 1 tab 3×/day (total petasins 24 mg/day) for 2 weeks in RCTs vs. fexofenadine/placebo...

Warnings: Only use PA-free products. Raw/PA-containing butterbur can cause serious liver injury, lung damage,...

Studies: Butterbur vs. cetirizine (2002, BMJ RCT): Ze 339 (1 tab QID...