Spring is a beautiful time of year—but for many, it’s also the beginning of seasonal allergy struggles. Sneezing, runny nose, congestion, tickly throat, and itchy eyes are all signs that the body’s immune system is overreacting to outdoor stimulants like pollen. While there are many over-the-counter options to suppress these symptoms, we may want to consider a deeper, more lasting solution by addressing the root cause.

If an allergic reaction is really the immune system overreacting, doesn’t it make sense to give the body tools to calm and retrain that response?

I can tell you from personal experience that herbs work beautifully for this. As a child, I spent many summer days indoors with a cold cloth on my eyes, struggling with seasonal allergies. When I was finally ready to work on the core issue—an overstimulated immune system—I began using the Immucalm formula daily for over a year. This gentle blend calms and strengthens the immune system, teaching it what an appropriate response to stimuli looks like.

Immucalm is available in capsules, and there’s also a glycerite version for children called Kid-e-Soothe. During allergy season, I increased my dosage and leaned heavily on Kid-e-Soothe for quicker relief. In the off-season, I followed a tonic regimen: two capsules, three times a day. I also avoided dairy and aligned more closely with the Mucusless Diet.

That first allergy season after my year of consistent herbal support was amazing! Scents that once triggered sneezing and itching passed by without incident. It was such a relief. I still keep both Immucalm and Kid-e-Soothe on hand for when my body needs a reminder—and they work quickly to calm reactions down.

We also rely on this protocol for my daughter’s cashew allergy. She’s very careful about checking ingredients, but occasionally something slips through. Just one bite of cashew causes swelling, rash, and vomiting almost immediately. When that happens, we manage the reaction with Kid-e-Soothe, Nettle Tincture, and the homeopathic Apis. She rotates between them every two minutes, gradually spacing out the doses as her body settles and processes the allergen. She knows the reaction is nearly over when the nettles start tasting bad—until then, she can take dropperful after dropperful without issue.

It’s truly amazing to witness how quickly and effectively herbs can support the body through an allergic reaction.

Nettles and Apis also work beautifully for seasonal allergies. They act quickly to support and calm an overactive immune system. If you don’t already have these items in your herb cupboard or first aid kit, now is the time to stock up—you never know when you’ll need them!

Tara Christopher Eyre is a Master Herbalist Foot Zone Therapist/Practitioner. She loves helping people find and continue their path toward health.