Modern medicine has made many advances over the years in treating allergy symptoms. Sometimes the cure may be worse than the illness. Many decongestants will lead to a dry mouth and a rise in blood pressure. Antihistamines tend to make you drowsy and groggy.

Are there any natural herbs that will help treat the symptoms of allergies without all of the unpleasant side effects? The good news is that you can find many natural herbs for allergies that will offer relief from your symptoms the holistic way. Natural herbs that will actually help to prevent the symptoms rather than treating them once they start. This can be an effective way of managing many of the seasonal allergies that a number of people suffer from.

I have heard about antihistamines, but what are they?

Antihistamines prevent the body from producing histamines. Histamines are a chemical by product when antibodies attack a foreign substance in the body. For allergy suffers, the body has mistakenly identified a benign substance to be a threat to the body. The immune system has created an antibody to attack and destroy this threat. Histamines create the allergy symptoms like runny nose, watery eyes and coughing, so when your body cannot produce as many, your symptoms are reduced as well.

Herbal Antihistamines

Stinging Nettle - This herb works very well as a natural antihistamine, without the drowsiness that comes from using many of the over-the-counter medicines that are available. Stinging nettle can be purchased in capsule form from many natural food and vitamin stores today.

Butterbur - Another herbal antihistamine, which is a harder herb to come by in the United States, but nevertheless effective as a natural means of treating allergies.

Quercetin - Is another good natural herb for allergies, and has the added benefit of acting as a natural antioxidant that can reduce the risk of some types of cancer.

Plantain - Has been used for a long time in treating respiratory complaints including cough and inflammation. It also has anti-catarrhal and antispasmodic properties.

Chamomile - According to German studies it may slow allergic reactions, such as those that trigger asthma attacks, by increasing the adrenal glands' production of cortisone, which reduces lung inflammation and makes breathing easier.

Before taking a natural herb to treat your allergies, consult with your allergy doctor before taking anything. Some herbs can have side effects with other herbs. They can also have potentially dangerous interactive effects when taken with other over the counter and prescription medicines.