Natural Ways to Support Seasonal Allergies

Do you develop a runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, or congestion every spring when the season changes?

Allergies happen when the immune system reacts excessively to potential allergens like pollen, dust, mold, pet dander, food or other environmental triggers. During an allergic reaction, the body releases a chemical called histamine, which interacts with receptors in the nose, sinuses, eyes, lungs, and skin. This is what leads to many of the symptoms people experience during allergy season.

Many people rely on antihistamine medications for relief, which work by blocking histamine from binding to those receptors and triggering symptoms.

For some people, medications alone may not provide enough relief. This is where additional histamine support can be helpful.

Reducing the Overall Histamine Load

When allergies are persistent or more intense, it can be helpful to look at ways to reduce the overall histamine load in the body.

This includes reducing triggers that increase histamine release such as food sensitivities, environmental exposures, gut imbalances, and ongoing inflammation.

Supporting a more balanced immune system, while also helping the body break down and clear histamine more efficiently, can also make allergy symptoms easier to manage.

Two nutrients that are often used to support these processes are quercetin and vitamin C.

Quercetin

Quercetin, a natural plant compound found in foods such as apples, onions, berries, and tea, has been studied for its anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effects.

One of the ways quercetin can help with allergies is by stabilizing mast cells, which are immune cells that release histamine when the body detects an allergen like pollen. When mast cells are more stable, they are less likely to release large amounts of histamine. This can help reduce symptoms such as sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes.

Quercetin can also help calm inflammation and swelling in the airways and sinuses, which can further support people who struggle with seasonal allergies.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is well known for supporting the immune system, but it also plays an important role in regulating histamine levels.

Research has shown that vitamin C can help lower histamine levels in the body by helping the body break down histamine after it has already been released.

Because quercetin and vitamin C support histamine in different ways, they are often used together during allergy season.

Supporting the Body Beyond Supplements

While nutrients can be helpful, allergies are often influenced by several systems in the body.

Gut health, liver function, stress levels, and overall immune balance can all influence how strongly someone reacts to allergen exposure. For example, ongoing digestive symptoms can lead to imbalances in the gut microbiome, which can affect immune regulation. Chronic stress and poor sleep can increase cortisol levels, which may disrupt normal immune function.

This is where a naturopathic approach can be helpful.

Instead of only focusing on short term symptom relief, naturopathic care looks at the bigger picture. This may include supporting gut health and liver function, improving diet and lifestyle habits, identifying potential triggers, and using targeted nutrients or herbs when appropriate.

The goal isn’t just to reduce symptoms at the moment, but also to help your body become more resilient so allergy season feels more manageable each spring.