Every time the seasons change 35 million Americans start sneezing, rubbing their watery eyes, blowing their stuffy noses, and itching like mad.

They are the ranks of seasonal allergy sufferers, joined by another 50 million kindred souls who endure an even wider variety of allergic reactions to trees, grass, flowers, plants, pollen, dust, mites, mold, foods and so on.

Nearly a third of allergy sufferers complain that their prescription medication makes them sleepy and thick-headed while doing nothing to relieve their symptoms. Most have gone through three to five years of de-sensitizing shots with no appreciable results. Is it any wonder that they are turning to natural remedies that do work and that carry few, if any side, effects?

Understanding the Basic Allergic Reaction

The vast majority of allergy sufferers are reacting to some kind of airborne irritant, generally pollen, which attaches itself to the soft mucous membranes of the nasal and bronchial passages. Those surfaces are lined with mast cells whose receptors are triggered by the irritant to release histamines. Everything that then happens - the watery eyes, the violent sneezing, the itching - is the body's attempt to expel the intruder.

Depending on the severity of the intrusion, the resulting attack may even include swelling of the bronchial tubes to block a major entrance. Of course that also causes labored breathing and in the worst cases, terrifying attacks of asthma.

Combating Allergies Naturally

Managing allergic reactions naturally involves changes to behavior and diet while also relying on natural antihistamines. Thankfully, seasonal allergies are reasonably predictable. For ragweed sufferers, for instance, the problem months will be mid-August until the first winter frost. Time outdoors should be limited and the home environment should be sealed as tightly as possible. No open windows or cooling systems that draw air in from the outside should be used unless the air passes through a filtration system before entering the home.

Neti Pots

A valuable tool in the war on allergens, the neti pot, looks rather like Aladdin's lamp. The premise is simple. If allergens in the nasal passages are triggering the release of histamines, wash the irritating allergens away. Think of the rinse as a more aggressive version of over-the-counter saline nasal sprays, (which are also effective in mild cases and do not carry the risk of addiction.)

A 1/4 to 1/2 of non-iodized table salt is added to a cup of lukewarm water in the neti pot. Lean over the sink with the head cocked to one side. Fit the spout of the pot in one nostril and gently pour the water into the nose, allowing the stream to drain out the other nostril.

Repeat on the other side of the nose, then gently blow to remove excess moisture. Doing this twice a day during allergy season, particularly upon rising in the morning and when coming in from time spent outside, will significantly decrease the severity of seasonal symptoms. As an added bonus, using a neti pot also improves snoring.

Dietary Changes

Incorporating quercetin-rich foods in the diet will also help to prevent the release of histamines by stabilizing over-reactive mast cells. A natural bioflavonoid derived from plants, quercetin is an antioxidant, which helps to prevent cell damage in the body.

Rich natural sources include lettuce, broccoli, tomatoes, parsley, onions, apples and citrus fruits, as well as tea. In severe cases quercetin can be taken in supplemental form at a recommended dosage of 1,000 milligrams daily, but should not be used by anyone suffering from a liver disorder. Both grape seed extract and vitamin C will enhance the effectiveness of quercetin in the diet.

Spicy foods are recommended to keep the airways clear and as temporary decongestants. This group includes chili peppers, cayenne pepper, horseradish, hot ginger, hot mustard, fenugreek, onion and garlic. Also get plenty of omega-3 fatty acids from cold water fish, flaxseed oil, and walnuts.

If you have a particular sensitivity to ragweed, at the height of the season avoid foods that naturally contain echinacea such as bananas, cucumbers, melons, and chamomile tea. Finally, eliminate any foods from the diet that cause even mild allergic reactions as they will make the overall system more likely to go into allergic overload when severe triggers like pollens are introduced.

Natural Antihistamines

One of the most effective of all natural antihistamines, stinging nettle, grows as a common weed throughout the United States. An extract from the leaves is made into capsules available at health food stores and can also be purchased as a tincture or a tea. Be careful about coming into contact with fresh stinging nettle which, true to its name, will cause painful skin inflammation.

The recommended dose is 300 milligrams daily. While only effective for a few hours, stinging nettle has none of the groggy, unpleasant after effects of over-the-counter or prescription antihistamines.

In Europe, butterbur is becoming increasingly popular as a natural antihistamine, particularly for hayfever. Although not easy to find in the United States, it can be purchased online. Traditionally goldenseal has been used for the same purpose, but there are no studies verifying its effectiveness like those that have been conducted with stinging nettle and butterbur.

Some Words of Caution

The market is rife with gadgets and concoctions reported to naturally combat allergies. Expensive air cleaning units do a landmark business, but controlled studies have shown that they are ineffective in reducing symptoms once an attack has been triggered. So, unless you intend to sit in front of the unit for the duration of allergy season, don't bother. You'd be better served by wearing a paper filtration mask outdoors on high pollen days. Most area news stations in their broadcasts and on their websites now helpfully supply pollen counts for the day.

It's important to remember the words "natural" and "safe" are not necessarily synonymous. Take supplements at the recommended dosage only and discontinue immediately if any side effects are felt. Also, if you take prescription medication for other conditions, always research possible toxic interactions before starting on a supplement.

With the right cautions, however, and the proper changes in behavior and diet, allergies can be managed effectively with natural methods and without the unpleasant drugged feeling so common with prescription and over-the-counter remedies.