Allergy Season
For those who know me, you know I like digging into the research behind traditional herbal remedies and comparing them with modern approaches.
Today I wanted to revisit one of my herbal allergy teas and tinctures featuring stinging nettle. Allergy season is in full swing, ragweed is growing tall, and everyone is looking for some relief. That being said, it’s important to keep up to date on medication side effects.
For starters, let’s dive into those prescribed allergy medications. Most commonly, someone will use a first-generation or a second-generation antihistamine. First-generation antihistamines are the ones that are known to cause drowsiness (like Benadryl). They are more commonly used for short-term use. They heavily cross the blood-brain barrier. Second-generation antihistamines are more commonly prescribed for long-term use because they don’t have as sedating effects. However, they do still have some negative effects.
Recent studies have found that even second-generation antihistamines such as loratadine, fexofenadine, cetirizine, and levocetirizine can cross the blood-brain barrier to some degree. While they are generally considered less sedating than first-generation antihistamines, some studies suggest they may still contribute to side effects like grogginess, headaches, sedation, or cognitive effects in certain individuals, including the potential to worsen attention-related symptoms in some people (
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39257032/)
Now, I wanted to take a moment to compare this study with one featuring my favorite herb: stinging nettle. A separate peer-reviewed study found that stinging nettle interacts with H1 histamine receptors and inflammatory pathways. That is one of the more modern findings on stinging nettle. For centuries, stinging nettle has been used for its anti-inflammatory properties. It helps ease joint pain, inflammation from immune disorders, and promotes blood circulation. This herb is also a powerhouse that is full of vitamins A, D, C, calcium, and iron.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19140159/
As always, herbs and medications can affect everyone differently, and research is still ongoing. That being said, I will always try to keep my customers updated and informed.