There are several options used for natural sinus relief of chronic allergic rhinitis that may help alleviate symptoms. An allergy occurs following an oversensitive immune system response to a foreign substance or allergen. After the body comes in contact with an allergen, the immune system triggers release of inflammatory chemicals such as histamine from mast cells which results in symptoms of allergic rhinitis. Allergies result from exposure to an allergen such as dust mites, pollen, pet dander, and pollen resulting in nasal drainage, sinus pressure, sinus pain, tearing of the eyes, and sneezing. Symptoms of chronic allergic rhinitis usually correlate with seasonal release of pollen. Natural sinus relief is directed toward controlling histamine response and inflammation in chronic allergic rhinitis.
Common Home Treatments for Allergic Rhinitis.
Nasal Rinsing for Natural Sinus Relief of Chronic Allergic Rhinitis
One of the most safe and effective treatments for natural sinus relief of chronic allergic rhinitis is nasal lavage. This method consists of a saline solution expressed by a squeeze bottle or “Netty Pot” to wash out adherent secretions, pollen, dust and other allergens. The saline solution is placed in each side of the nose twice per day and allowed to drain down the back of the throat and then the remainder is gently blown out into tissue.
Common Over the Counter Medications for Chronic Allergic Rhinitis
The alternative to natural sinus relief for chronic allergic rhinitis are over the counter medications which include the antihistamines Benadryl (diphenhydramine) and Claritin (loratadine), and the vasoconstrictor Afrin (oxymetazoline). Commonly prescribed medications include antihistamines and nasal steroids. The antihistamine Benadryl (diphenhydramine) generally provides stronger relief than Claritin (loratadine) and many other prescription antihistamines, but is more sedating. The more sedating anti-histamines are generally more effective. If the diagnosis of allergic rhinitis is incorrect, the treatments being used for the false diagnosis of allergic rhinitis may not be effective. For instance, vasomotor rhinitis with nasal drainage that occurs after a stimulus of cold or spice is treated more effectively with Atrovent nasal spray (Ipratropium Bromide).
Supplements for Natural Sinus Relief of Chronic Allergic Rhinitis
Butterbur for Natural Sinus Relief
Natural sinus relief of chronic allergic rhinitis is possible with Butterbur. Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) alleviated symptoms in allergic rhinitis patients and was compared to an antihistamine in a randomized controlled trial including 125 participants. This herbal agent has beneficial effects in patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis possibly comparable to the antihistamine Zyrtec (cetirizine). For two weeks, patients were randomized to either one tablet of butterbur (petasites carbon dioxide extract ZE 339 standardised to 8.0 mg of total petasine per tablet) four times daily or one tablet of cetirizine in the evening. The SF-36 questionnaire, a medical outcome health questionnaire, was used as a self-assessment tool of the subject’s natural sinus relief. The questionnaire also included the physician’s clinical global impression scale (CGI) with a five-point score for comparing current severity of the condition with that of the previous year. Improvements in both the SF-36 and CGI scores were similar in both groups. The overall incidence of adverse events was similar for the two treatment groups. However, two-thirds of the adverse events for the cetirizine group were drowsiness and fatigue – symptoms not reported in the butterbur group. Fatigue occurred less in the butterbur group than the cetirizine group, headache occurred in two patients of each group, and elevated liver enzymes occurred in 1 patient of the butterbur group. (1)
Butterbur leaf extract Ze 339 (carbon dioxide extract from the leaves of Petasites hybridus L., 8 mg petasines per tablet) was given to 580 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis or nasal allergies responsible for sneezing, congestion, runny nose, and itchy nose. Participants were treated with an average of 2 tablets of Ze 339 daily for 2 weeks. At the end of the study, symptoms (rhinorrhea, sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy eyes and nose, red eyes, and skin irritation) of seasonal allergic rhinitis significantly improved in 90% of patients. Additionally, effectiveness, tolerability, and quality of life improvement was reported by 80%, 92% and 80% of patients, respectively. Antiallergy medication given in combination with Ze 339 showed no improvement compared to Ze 339 alone. Side effects were reported in 3.8% of patients with mostly gastrointestinal complaints. (2)
Butterbur herbal preparations for natural sinus relief may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which have been known to result in toxic damage to the liver. Butterbur products should specifically state that the product is free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs).
Spirulina May Provide Natural Sinus Relief for Chronic Allergic Rhinitis
Spirulina a type of blue-green algae that may be useful for natural sinus relief of chronic allergic rhinitis. Spirulina is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, antioxidants, B complex vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamin E, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and gamma linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid) (6). Spirulina may increase healthy lactobacillus in the intestine which enables production of Vitamin B6 (6).
Spirulina Reduces Inflammation in Chronic Allergic Rhinitis
A study by Mao TK et al showed that Spirulina, has been linked with improved immune health benefits in prevention of allergic rhinitis. In a random double-blinded crossover 12-week study, one group was provided with 1,000 mg/day or 2,000 mg/day of Spirulina, while the other group took a placebo. The study used peripheral blood mononuclear cells which were isolated before and after Spirulina treatment. It was found that the cells developed a reduction in the IgE mediated inflammatory substance interleukin-4 (IL-4) by 32%. IL-4 is a substance resulting in inflammation following exposure to allergy stimulus. Results showed that Spirulina taken at 2,000 mg/day resulted in reduced cytokine production in immune cells which can be protective toward chronic allergic rhinitis. (3)
Kim HM et al found in a study that spirulina also inhibits the release of histamine from mast cells (4).
A double-blind placebo controlled trial found that Spirulina at a dose of 2000 mg per day was taken by 150 patients between 19 and 49 years old for 6 months. Spirulina consumption significantly improved the symptoms and physical findings compared with placebo (P < .001), including nasal discharge, sneezing, nasal congestion and itching. (5)
Cautions for Spirulina in Chronic Allergic Rhinitis
The recent increase in popularity of food supplements containing blue-green algae such as Spirulina or scientific names Arthrospira and Aphanizomenon presents a potential for exposure to anatoxin-a contained in spirulina products. Anatoxin-a is a potent neurotoxin that may cause fatal intoxication if enough is ingested and if adequate quality control measures are not undertaken. Tests were conducted on a sampling of 39 supplements and found that 3 of the samples, or 7.7% contained anatoxin-a. 1 out of the 3 samples intended for human consumption detected 11 micrograms per gram of anatoxin-a. The brand name of this product was not mentioned but the origin was Australia. 2 out of the 3 samples with significant anatoxin-a were intended for bird and fish consumption at concentrations of 33 and 2.5 micrograms per gram respectively but the origins of these samples were not known. There were 3 samples in addition to those mentioned above with anatoxin-a detected but were below the level of detected to determine concentration. 2 of these brands were from Australia with unnamed brand and 1 sample was named Swiss Natural Sources Spirulina. The following brands at the time of testing did not contain anatoxin-a as reported by this study: Lalco Laboratory Mega Spirulina, Phytovie Spirulina, Exact™ Spirulina, Health-Wise Natural Sources Spirulina, Nature’s Fingerprint Spirulina, Gandalf Nu-Greens Spirulina, Organika® Spirulina, Compare Spirulina, Jean-Marc Brunet, Le Naturiste, Spirulina 500, Nu-Greens Spirulina, Herbal Factors Spirulina, Root of Life Brand Spirulina, Personnelle Spirulina + Ginseng, Adrien Gagnon Spirulina plus Chlorella, Jamieson Natural Sources Spirulina, Lalco Laboratory Florasun Spirulina, Fingerprinted™ Spirulina, Earthrise® Spirulina, Herbal Select Spirulina, and Bio Nutrition Micro Algaes. (8)
Diet for Natural Sinus Relief in Allergic Rhinitis
There are few studies which link diets as a treatment for nasal allergies. However, when comparing the rates of disease between non-vegetarian and vegetarians, non-vegetarian females were 1.15 times more likely to report allergic rhinitis, and were also more likely to report many different kinds of other allergies compared to vegetarians. (7)
Natural Sinus Relief with Pycnogenol
French pine bark extract, may produce natural sinus relief of chronic allergic rhinitis. Participants (n=39) were given either Pycnogenol or placebo 5-8 weeks before the start of birch allergy season in 2009. They provided feedback on their symptoms on a scale from 0 (no symptoms) to 3 (severe; symptoms completely prevent normal activity). By the end of the allergy season, those in the Pycnogenol group had 35% lower eye symptoms and 20.5% lower nasal symptoms, compared to the placebo group. Additionally, the placebo group had a greater increase in the levels of IgE compared to the Pycnogenol group indicating that those in the placebo group had a greater allergic response. (9)
Summary: Natural Sinus Relief for Chronic Allergic Rhinitis
- One of the most safe and effective treatments for allergic rhinitis is nasal saline lavage twice per day (not saline nasal spray).
- Butterbur (1,2), or spirulina (3,4,5), may improve symptoms of allergic rhinitis.
- Spirulina taken at 2,000 mg/day resulted in reduced cytokine production in immune cells which is protective toward allergic rhinitis (3). Kim HM et al found in a study that spirulina inhibits the release of histamine from mast cells (4). There are some safety concerns and approval from the primary physician should be obtained prior to taking spirulina especially along with other medications or supplements. Spirulina is approved as a food additive by the FDA.
- Spirulina products may not have adequate quality control but may be safe if the product is tested free of anatoxin-a, a neurotoxin (8). Spirulina products from Australia or the Swiss Natural Sources Spirulina brand should be avoided (8).
- Butterbur has been reported to cause liver enzyme elevation in 1 out of 61 patients when used for 2 weeks (1). Butterbur herbal preparations may contain pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), which have been known to result in toxic damage to the liver. Therfore, butterbur products should specifically state that the product is free of pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs).
- Vegetarian diet may result in lower risk of allergic diseases than non-vegetarians (7).
- In a study during the allergy season, those in the Pycnogenol group had 35% lower eye symptoms and 20.5% lower nasal symptoms, compared to placebo (9).
References : Natural Sinus Relief for Chronic Allergic Rhinitis
1.Schapowal A. Petasites Study Group. Randomised controlled trial of butterbur and cetirizine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis. BMJ 2002 Jan 19;324(7330):144-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11799030
2.Kaufeler R, Polasek W, Brattstrom A, Koetter U. Efficacy and safety of butterbur herbal extract Ze 339 in seasonal allergic rhinitis: postmarketing surveillance study. Adv Ther. 2006 Mar-Apr;23(2):373-84. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16751170
3.Mao TK, van de Water J, Gershwin ME. Effects of a Spirulina-based dietary supplement on cytokine production from allergic rhinitis patients. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2005;8(1):27–30. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15857205
4.Kim HM, Lee EH, Cho HH, Moon YH. Inhibitory effect of mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions in rats by spirulina. Biochem Pharmacol. 1998 Apr 1;55(7):1071-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9605430
5.Cingi C, Conk-Dalay M, Cakli H, Bal C. The effects of spirulina on allergic rhinitis. European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology. 2008 Oct;265(10):1219-23. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18343939
6.Karkos P.D, Leong SC, Karkos CD, Sivaji N, Assimakopoulos DA. Spirulina in Clinical Practice: Evidence-Based Human Applications. Evidence-Based Comp and Alt Med; 2011: 1-4. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3136577/
7.Knutsen SF. Lifestyle and the use of health services. Am J Clin Nutr. 1994 May;59(5 Suppl):1171S-1175S. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8172119
8.“First detection of anatoxin-a in human and animal dietary supplements containing cyanobacteria.” Departamento de Química Analítica y Alimentaria, Facultad de Química, Edificio de Ciencias Experimentales, Campus Universitario, Universidad de Vigo, Vigo, Spain. Food Chem Toxicol. 2009 Sep;47(9):2189-95. Epub 2009 Jun 9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19520132
9.Wilson D, Evans M, Guthrie N, Sharma P, Baisley J, Schonlau F, Burki C. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled exploratory study to evaluate the potential of pycnogenol for improving allergic rhinitis symptoms. Phytother Res. 2010 Aug;24(8):1115-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20549654