Herbal Remedy Alternatives for Allergic Rhinitis

Abstract

Everyday herbal remedies are proliferating, becoming more significant and more popular. Antioxidant herbal remedies tend to exhibit certain clinical benefits. Certain remedies, such as spirulina, acupoint herbal patching, phototherapy, and butterbur are likely to become even more effective in the future. Although herbal remedies are commonly used for treating allergic rhinitis (AR) in Asia and China, they have not been recognized and recommended by international authorities yet, as these tests have generally not met the requirements of being large enough, double-blinded, randomized, or controlled. The tea remedy is becoming a popular, simple, self-care practice for AR patients in Asia. Japanese green tea, containing the active ingredient methylated catechin, has been suggested to be beneficial to cedar-sensitive AR patients, reducing symptoms and resulting in an improved standard of living as well as lowering peripheral blood eosinophilia. The oil of Nigella sativa (black seed) could reduce the symptoms of allergic diseases such as bronchial asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic eczema. The oil of N. sativa blocks the 5-lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase pathways of arachidonic acid metabolism. The butterbur (Petasites hybridus) root can be used to prepare an extract that is rich in petasins-chemicals thought to possess medicinal properties, probably as a result of their effect on the leukotriene pathway. Tinofend® (Tinospora cordifolia), Spanish needle, Cinnamon bark and acerola, Benifuuki green tea, capsaicin (Capsicum annum), cellulose powder, and allergen-absorbing ointment are other specific herbal agents used in the treatment of AR.