| Many people require the use of antihistamines to | | | | have trouble taking antihistamines. If an individual has |
| combat skin problems. Antihistamines are used to | | | | difficulty passing urine, prostate problems, an eye |
| reduce the effects of an allergic response from the | | | | condition known as glaucoma, epilepsy, any disease of |
| body. For example, if the body is exposed to an | | | | the liver or kidneys, or porphyria (a blood disorder) then |
| allergen the body responds by releasing histamine. The | | | | consultation with a physician is a must prior to taking |
| histamine then causes certain reactions in the body to | | | | any antihistamine. |
| occur. Many of these reactions appear on the skin in | | | | Due to the side effect of prescription or over the |
| terms of hives, itching, and redness. Therefore, for | | | | counter antihistamines, many individuals are interested |
| individuals that have many allergies, antihistamines can | | | | in natural antihistamines. Natural antihistamines may not |
| be a valuable tool in easing the discomfort caused by | | | | produce the side effects previously noted. So, what is |
| histamine. | | | | a natural antihistamine? |
| The unfortunate thing is that many individuals need to | | | | There are many natural products with antihistamine |
| take antihistamines on a regular basis over several | | | | properties. Three examples are listed below. |
| years, so that the itching, hives, welts, or redness on | | | | Vitamin C can act as an antihistamine when the dose |
| the skin can be controlled. Whether these individuals | | | | is greater than 1000mg per day. |
| have a skin condition that requires daily treatment or | | | | Quercitin (a bioflavonoid) can be very effective in |
| allergies, taking antihistamines is part of their daily | | | | preventing the release of histamine from cells and |
| routine. | | | | treating common allergy symptoms. It does not cause |
| There are legitimate concerns about the side effects | | | | drowsiness. Quercitn can be found in citrus fruits, |
| of antihistamines, whether they are over the counter | | | | cherries, raspberries, red grapes, yellow and red onions, |
| type or prescription. Common side effects of non | | | | leafy vegetables, red wine, green tea, black tea, |
| natural antihistamines include: drowsiness, headache, | | | | evening primrose, squash, shallots, courgettes and |
| blurred vision, dry mouth, difficulty passing urine, | | | | broccoli, blue-green algae, and capsium or "chili |
| constipation or diarrhoea, irritability, hyperactivity in | | | | peppers". |
| children, may thicken mucus secretions and increase | | | | Pycnogenal is also a bioflavonoid and a natural |
| the risk of bacterial infection and sinusitis, and can | | | | antihistamine. It is obtained from the extract of the bark |
| interact with other drugs. | | | | of the French maritime pin. |
| More serious side effects, which can be categorized | | | | In addition to these natural antihistamines grape seed |
| as being rare can include: high blood pressure, | | | | extract, butterbur, green tea, honeycomb, other herbs |
| depression, tremors or convulsion, disorders of the liver | | | | such as stinging nettle, dong quai, gingko, and milk thistle, |
| and blood, and others. | | | | can be taken to help combat the effects of histamine. |
| In addition, people with certain medical problems may | | | | |