Allergy medications ARE very effective, but that doesn't mean that some alternative remedies can't provide relief too. If you're suffering from seasonal allergies, there are some reports that the herb butterbur when taken 4 times a day eases symptoms as effectively as an over the counter antihistamine. A study by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology found that the herb is particularly useful for controlling symptoms of grass allergies.Another herb that may ease your symptoms is the nettle leaf. Mixed with salt water and you can make a nasal spray that may wash away irritating pollen and reduce or thin mucous. Goldenseal is highly astringent and has topical antibacterial properties that are reported to reduce nasal mucous.Grape seed extract and a flavonoid compound known as quercetin may help control the release of histamine and other chemicals that cause allergic symptoms. Quercetin comes as a supplement, but it can also be found naturally in red wines and some foods.Speaking of foods, you may want to add a little hot and spicy into your diet when seasonal allergies hit. Supposedly, the spicier the dish, the more likely it is to thin mucous secretions, clearing up your airways. A sprinkle of cayenne pepper, hot ginger,and fenugreek, as well as onion and garlic may do the trick.However, eliminating certain foods from your diet could help too. For instance, eating melon, banana, cucumber, sunflower seeds, chamomile, and any herbal supplements containing echinacea, have all been shown to make symptoms of ragweed and other pollen allergies much worse.Dust, pet or mold allergies? Avoiding these allergies entails preventing the allergens from entering your system in the first place. So you'll want to start with a good cleaning that includes your bedding, curtains, carpet, furniture and any other surface that mold, dust or pet dander could cling to. Investing in allergen-proof bed covers and an air filter can help, as can cutting the clutter in your home and devising a weekly cleaning schedule. Skin allergies? Try applying a cool compress. This will help constrict dilated blood vessels constrict, and reduce swelling. To soothe itching, try an oatmeal bath or applying a mixture of baking soda and water to the inflamed area of skin. A mixture of olive or coconut oil and mashed papaya or cucumbers can help soothe eczema. Remember, if you're using prescription or over-the-counter medications to control your allergies, check with your doctor before trying out these home remedies.To learn about common allergy symptoms, checkout other videos in this series.