Quercetin is touted by many natural health sites as a potential weapon in your battle with allergy symptoms. Does it really work?

Let’s first understand what quercetin really is. This plant-related compound is found in foods. It’s one of the identified flavonoids, which give flowers and fruits their various colors. A number of foods are high in quercetin, including apples and onions. In onions, the quercetin is mostly in the outer rings.

The reason that quercetin is recommended for allergy is that it has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Lab studies also show that this interesting substance has anti-allergy properties.

Dr Astrid Puljari wrote an article in 2008 about the use of quercetin in allergy control. She says, “One [lab] study found that quercetin stabilized special cells called mast cells. These cells secrete a chemical called histamine, which contributes to a lot of allergy symptoms, such as runny noses and itching.” The theory is that if quercetin can stabilize mast cells, it can therefore reduce the release of histamine. If it works this way, this member of the flavonoid family could indeed decrease allergy symptoms. However, the only studies published to date have been done in the lab – and not on test subjects.

The question for the allergy sufferer is how to get the quercetin to the mast cells in your body? The other primary question regards the effective dose: you may not notice any improvement unless the dose is a therapeutic level for your body.

Unfortunately, quercetin is not easily dissolved in water. As a result, even if you eat quercetin-rich veggies and fruits, you may not be absorbing it well. Some naturopathic doctors recommend that quercetin supplements be taken in combination with bromelain to improve absorption. Bromelain is a digestive enzyme made from pineapple. Bromelain has been shown to increase absorption of a variety of compounds. As an additional bonus, bromelain is another powerful anti-inflammatory supplement, although it is not specific to mast cells.

As for an effective dose of quercetin, most naturopaths seem to recommend 1,000 to 2,000 mg in divided doses for adults. Taking it frequently during the day helps to maintain the quercetin levels in your bloodstream – maximizing delivery to your mast cells.

Sources: The Seattle Times, ImmuneSupport.com and reporting from Be Allergy Wise