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Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staffWhile there isn't much evidence about how well they work, a number of people try alternative treatments for hay fever. These include:
- Herbal remedies and supplements. Extracts of the shrub butterbur may help prevent seasonal allergy symptoms. If you do try butterbur, be sure to use a product that's labeled "UPA-free," which indicates it's had potentially toxic substances removed. There's some limited evidence that stinging nettle and Tinospora cordifolia also may be effective. Though their benefits are unclear, other herbal remedies for seasonal allergies include cat's claw, choline, goldenseal, belladonna and bromelain. Some people also claim that locally produced honey helps reduce allergic reactions.
- Alternative therapies. Some people claim that probiotics, acupuncture and hypnosis may help with seasonal allergy symptoms. However, there's no clear evidence showing that these treatments work.
References
- Weber RW. Allergic rhinitis. Primary Care Clinics in Office Practice. 2008;35:1.
- Eapen RJ, et al. Allergic rhinitis — History and presentation. Otolaryngology Clinics of North America. 2008;41:325.
- deShazo RD, et al. Patient information: Allergic rhinitis (seasonal allergies). http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 19, 2010.
- Practice parameters for managing allergic rhinitis. American Family Physician. http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0701/p79.html. Accessed Feb. 25, 2010.
- deShazo RD, et al. Pharmacotherapy of allergic rhinitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 19, 2010.
- Rabago D, et al. Saline nasal irrigation for upper respiratory conditions. American Family Physician. 2009;80:1117.
- Tips to remember: Indoor allergens. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/indoorallergens.stm. Accessed Feb. 19, 2010.
- Tips to remember: Outdoor allergens. American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/outdoorallergens.stm. Accessed Feb. 19, 2010.
- Herbs and other dietary supplements. In: Bauer B. Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine. 2nd ed. New York, N.Y.: Time Inc.; 2010:173.
- Man L. Complementary and alternative medicine for allergic rhinitis. Current Opinion in Otolaryngology & Head and Neck Surgery. 2009;17:226.
- Naegleria FAQs. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/naegleria/faqs.html. Accessed Dec. 30, 2011.
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