There is currently limited research on the effect of herbal medicine on allergies, but as the sneezing season inches closer researchers are looking into options for those who wish ditch the Claritin for something softer.

According to Mark Blumenthal of the American Botanical Council, there are a couple of herbs that have the potential to treat allergies. Scientists in Switzerland and the U.S. have studied butterbur and freeze-dried nettle leaves and they have both shown positive results. But the most exciting herb/allergy research is currently funded by the National Institutes of Health and is up for possible FDA approval.

Xiu-min Li, a Mount Sinai doctor trained in both Western and Traditional Chinese medicine, is studying the effect of three Chinese herbs - ling zhi, ku shen, and gan cao - on patients with asthma. Her hope is that the herb combination will also help those with allergies.

"I think people are very excited," Li told USA Today about the botantical drug's potential FDA approval. "This is a population that really wants to try an alternative approach."

[via USA Today]

Image: herbs2000.com