Alternative medicine has come a long way. It used to be that it was looked down upon and didn’t have much credibility. Now alternative medicine is a multi-million dollar component of our health care system.

It used to be that we didn’t know why herbal and alternative remedies worked. Now there is reputable research documenting real benefits to many alternative treatments.

A recent study into the herb butterbur compared it to the antihistamine cetirizine, which is known by most consumers under the brand name Zirtek. Study subjects were randomly divided into two groups: one group received butterbur and one received cetirizine. At the end of two weeks of treatment, both groups had experienced comparable degrees of symptom control. In other words, subjects did as well on butterbur as they did on cetirizine. The study results were published in the British Medical Journal.

Just because a substance is “natural” doesn’t mean that it is necessarily “safe.” For instance, the herb butterbur contains chemicals known as pyrrolizidine alkaloids that are associated with liver toxicity. While you can buy an extract that has these chemicals removed, it’s not the only risk to the user. Since butterbur is in the same family of plants as ragweed, it is possible that a person could have a cross-reaction.

A skilled alternative medical practitioner can help avoid these kinds of pitfalls. Many naturopaths, homeopaths and herbalists will be well versed in the treatments that are safest and most effective.  The challenge is to find the right professional to work with. As with the selection of a doctor, you’ll want to understand your alternative practitioner’s qualifications, certifications and specializations. With a medical practitioner, alternative or conventional, it’s also important that you can work with the professional, and feel as if your concerns and questions are being heard and addressed.

In most cases, a more natural approach to allergy control will be a multi-pronged strategy. One such approach is the orthomolecular approach, which focuses on nutritional approaches to strengthening the body’s immune system. So, you won’t just take a single herbal supplement and have all your allergy symptoms relieved. Current best practices in the orthomolecular field indicate that you’ll need to modify your diet, add supplements, and follow a course of non-drug approaches to reduce your exposure to allergens.

One dietary supplement showing a lot of promise is the addition of quercetin to your daily vitamin regimen. Quercetin is an antioxidant; it can be found naturally in apple skin, berries, red grapes, red onions, capers and black tea. Research on quercetin is still sketchy, but it is thought to prevent the release of histamine in the body. A typical dose is approximately 200 to 400 mg three times a day for an individual suffering from hay fever, although some practitioners may recommend up to 2000 mg a day.

Keep in mind that fish oil can promote blood thinning, and could be a risk for those taking other blood thinners. If you are taking fish oil, be sure to discontinue it at least 2 weeks before undergoing surgery.

Anecdotal reports show that plain old vitamin C can really help to reduce the severity of an allergic reaction. It makes sense because vitamin C works as an anti-inflammatory in the body. To use vitamin C as an anti-inflammatory, the individual takes it to bowel tolerance, and then backs off to a maintenance dose that reduces symptoms and does not cause diarrhea.

A person may remain on a relatively high dose of the vitamin as long as the exposure to the allergen remains. The good news is that there are virtually no side effects to taking high doses of vitamin C with the exception of diarrhea. If you experience loose bowels, simply reduce your intake until your bowel function is normal.

Research shows that the herb ginkgo biloba can help with bronchodilation, smooth muscle relaxation and positive lung effects for those with allergy or asthma. Gingko biloba is readily available to the public, so could be a real support for people with allergies. The issue for medical doctors is the lack of standardization in the products on the market, however.

As always, whether taking a drug or a supplement, it is buyer beware. If you are putting it in your mouth, know as much as you can about it. Whether a doctor or a naturopath prescribes something, it is still the patient who will live with the results.