Last week, I went for scratch testing for sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT). It’s an alternative for allergy sufferers who cannot or do not want to take allergy shots. SLIT is a type of immunotherapy that treats allergies by administering small doses of the substances the patient is allergic to in gradually increasing dosages until the patient builds immunity to them.

Allergy shots or injections were the main method of immunotherapy in the past. Now, an allergy sufferer has the option of choosing sublingual immunotherapy where drops are placed under the tongue. I opted for SLIT because it is more convenient with no travel or waiting in a doctor’s office. Sublingual drops can be administered at home in contrast to allergy shots that require a weekly trip to the doctor’s office, sometimes for years, where the patient is monitored for possible adverse reactions for 30 minutes following the injection.

However, just like allergy shots, there is the potential for side effects when you take the drops. This week, when I picked up my drops at the doctor’s office, the potential for side effects was discussed. I found out I needed to have some kind of antihistamine handy in case of side effects. I don’t use antihistamines because they shrink my nasal passages so much I end up with a sinus infection. The doctor suggested I try stinging nettles.


My first day with the drops proved the benefit of having some stinging nettles handy. I purchased Allercide by Sinus Survival which contains stinging nettles. I took the recommended dose and immediately got relief not only from the side effects but other allergy symptoms as well.

Here’s what I found out about stinging nettles and why it may help your seasonal allergies.

Stinging nettles have been used for centuries as a natural treatment for seasonal allergies, hay fever, asthma, and hives. Research has shown that consuming nettles in freeze dried capsules effectively reduces histamine levels in the body, thus reducing inflammation of affected tissues. Even a simple nettle tea consumed daily throughout the pollen and allergy season will alleviate allergy symptoms.

Common symptoms such as itchy eyes, sneezing, runny noses, and stuffed up sinuses are treated as effectively, if not more so, by stinging nettle than over the counter allergy medications. It has been suggested that nettles actually desensitize the body to allergens and decrease our reaction to the allergens over time. Nettles will also spare you the side effects that come with allergy medications, like drowsiness or irritation and ulcers of the digestive tract, which leads to a whole other set of inflammation issues you don’t want.