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Herbal remedy not to be sneezed at
Written by BUPA's medical team - 18 January 2002
An alternative remedy for hay fever has shown promising results in the treatment of Hay fever. The findings have come out from a study where an extract of the plant butterbur was used to treat hay fever sufferers in several allergy clinics in Switzerland.
The researchers gave 125 participants an extract of butterbur or an antihistamine called cetrizine that is commonly used in the treatment of hay fever for a period of two weeks. (In the researchers' experience patients with hay fever would not accept taking an ineffective treatment any longer than this period.) Butterbur and cetirizine both proved to be effective in the treatment of hay fever; however side effects were reported across a significant proportion of the group given antihistamines.
Although cetirizine is considered a non-sedating antihistamine, adverse effects including drowsiness and fatigue were reported across two thirds of the group.
The researchers commented in the British Medical Journal: "The effects of butterbur are similar to those of cetirizine in patients with hay fever when evaluated blindly by patients and doctors. Butterbur should be considered for treating hay fever when the sedative effects of antihistamines need to be avoided."
Regarding the use of herbal remedies as medications Mr John de Carpentier, an ear, nose and throat consultant at the Royal Preston Hospital said: "I am perfectly happy for people to experiment with herbal remedies if they are prepared to take the risk themselves. But until studies are done on the safety profile of this extract I would treat it with a degree of caution. Presumably it contains an active biochemical agent otherwise it would not work. Therefore, it is possible that it might react with other medications.
He went on to add, "herbal remedies are not always licensed as medications, which mean they do not necessarily undergo rigorous safety checks, where as the safety of antihistamines is well established."
Butterbur is a perennial shrub, found throughout Europe as well as parts of Asia and North America, and has been used medicinally for centuries. During the Middle Ages butterbur was used to treat plague and fever; in the 17th century its use was noted in treating cough, asthma and skin wounds. Currently, the primary uses of the plant are in the treatment of migraines, gastric ulcers, irritable bladder and as an antispasmodic agent for chronic coughs or asthma.
Hay fever is a very common condition, affecting 2 - 3 million people in Britain every year. It is caused by an allergy to pollen or sometimes mould spores and can affect people at different times of the year depending on the pollen to which they are allergic.
Avoiding contact with allergens in the following ways can help to reduce the symptoms:
- in the summer stay indoors between 5pm and 7pm. Keep windows and doors closed especially in the early evening and whilst sleeping.
- use an air conditioner or filter whenever possible to remove pollen from the air.
- damp dust and vacuum your home regularly to minimise the presence of pollen and dust.
- air your bedclothes in the direct sunlight.
- be aware of the pollen count (usually broadcast along with the weather)
- avoid unnecessary extra irritants such as smoke and chemical fumes.
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