Herbs for Allergies and Hay Fever: What Research Shows
What NIH and a 2024 review say about butterbur, stinging nettle and other herbs for hay fever, why plant allergy and liver cautions come first, and the signs of a severe reaction.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Supplements can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read mushroom safety and interactions before you use any mushroom product.
Know the signs of a severe allergic reaction. The NHS describes anaphylaxis as a life-threatening allergic reaction that happens very quickly. Signs include swelling of the throat and tongue, difficulty breathing, wheezing, a tight throat or hoarse voice, feeling faint or confused, pale, blue or grey skin, and sometimes a raised, itchy rash. [1] In the US, call 911. See Anaphylaxis and Severe Allergic Reactions to Natural Products.
Plant allergy cuts both ways. Herbs from the daisy family can themselves cause reactions in people allergic to related plants. NIH says people are more likely to react to chamomile if they are allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds or daisies. [2] It says echinacea is closely related to sunflowers, daisies and ragweed and some people have severe allergic reactions to it. [3] It says butterbur may cause a reaction in people allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds and daisies. [4]
Butterbur needs special care. Butterbur contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that can damage the liver and lungs and may cause cancer, and NIH says only products processed to remove them and labeled or certified PA-free should be considered. [4]
How the sources define the terms
The NHS says hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, usually where it touches the mouth, nose, eyes and throat, with sneezing, a runny or blocked nose and itchy eyes. It lasts weeks or months, unlike a cold that usually clears in 1 to 2 weeks. [6] Phrases like "natural antihistamine" are marketing claims. We did not find a source in our reading that rates any herb as equal to antihistamine medicine, apart from the small comparisons below.What research found
| Herb | What the source found | Evidence label | Form and population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Butterbur (Petasites hybridus (L.) G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb.) [7] | NIH says studies of a leaf extract suggest it may help allergic rhinitis symptoms when taken orally. [4] The 2024 review found it was the most studied single plant (5 studies). [5] | Promising but limited | PA-free leaf extract; oral |
| Single medicinal plants as a group | A 2024 review of 29 trials (1,879 people) found very low to low certainty evidence of better total nasal symptoms than placebo. In two studies (149 people), moderate-certainty evidence showed no clear difference from an antihistamine. [5] | Mixed | Various plants; adults and children |
| Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica L.) [8] | A 1990 double-blind trial of 98 people (69 finished) tested a freeze-dried nettle preparation. It rated higher than placebo in global assessments but only slightly higher in diary data. [9] | Preliminary | Freeze-dried preparation; one week of treatment, adults |
Nettle in newer trials: Proper evidence not found. We searched PubMed for trials of freeze-dried nettle for allergic rhinitis and found only this 1990 study. See the Stinging Nettle profile and Nettle Tea for the plant as a food and tea.
Other herbs: Chinese herbal formulas and other plants are not described in this page's sources beyond the group results above. See Chinese Herbal Medicine: What It Is and What Research Shows.
Related pages
Butterbur, Stinging Nettle, Herbal Allergy and Cross-Reactivity, and Herbs by Wellness Goal.Frequently asked questions
Do herbs work as natural antihistamines?
A 2024 review found moderate-certainty evidence of no clear difference from an antihistamine in overall symptoms in two small studies, and it said clear evidence of benefit is still lacking. [5] Ask a pharmacist before replacing an allergy medicine.
Is butterbur safe for hay fever?
Only products processed to remove pyrrolizidine alkaloids and labeled or certified PA-free should be considered, and rare liver injury has been reported even with products said to be PA-free. [4]
Does stinging nettle help hay fever?
One 1990 trial of 98 people found a freeze-dried nettle preparation rated higher than placebo in global assessments and only slightly higher in diaries. [9] Newer trials were not found in our PubMed search.
Can herbal teas trigger allergies?
Yes, in some people. NIH says people allergic to ragweed, chrysanthemums, marigolds or daisies are more likely to react to chamomile. [2]
What are the signs of a severe allergic reaction?
Swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue, trouble breathing or swallowing, feeling faint or confused, and pale, blue or grey skin. [1] Call 911 in the US.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Limits and uncertainty
- The 2024 review found heterogeneity in most pooled results, and asked for better reporting of herbal trials so each plant preparation can be judged. [5]
- It reported that plant products appeared well tolerated up to 8 weeks of use, which says nothing about longer use. [5]
- A result for one extract does not transfer to a tea, a tincture or a whole-plant product.
Safety and who should ask a clinician
- Butterbur and the liver: NIH says studies of PA-free products, including in children and adolescents, found them safe by mouth for up to 16 weeks, but rare liver injury has been reported with products said to be PA-free. [4] See Liver Safety and Supplements and Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids: Comfrey, Coltsfoot and Borage.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: NIH says butterbur products containing PAs should not be used in pregnancy or breastfeeding because they may cause birth defects or liver damage. Little is known about PA-free products. [4]
- Asthma: if allergy comes with wheeze or breathlessness, see a clinician. See Allergies, Asthma and Plant Product Cross-Reactions and Herbs for Asthma and Breathing: Claims Checked.
- See a GP or clinician if symptoms get worse or do not improve with pharmacy medicines, the NHS advises. [6]
- Tell your pharmacist about any herb you use. See How Interactions Work and Quality Testing and Certifications.
References
- NHS (UK). Anaphylaxis. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Chamomile. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Echinacea. Read 2026-10-23.
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH). Butterbur. Read 2026-10-23.
- PLoS ONE, 2024. Medicinal plants for allergic rhinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Read 2026-10-23.
- NHS (UK). Hay fever. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy record for Petasites hybridus (L.) G.Gaertn., B.Mey. & Scherb. (species 9490132). api.gbif.org. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Secretariat. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy record for Urtica dioica L. (species 7960979). api.gbif.org. Read 2026-10-23.
- Mittman P. Planta Medica, 1990. Randomized, double-blind study of freeze-dried Urtica dioica in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. Read 2026-10-23.