Natural hay fever relief with bromelain

Posted on Sun, 8 Apr 12

Bromelain, an enzyme from pineapple fruit, has been shown to relieve hay fever or sinusitis in a number of human clinical studies by working as a natural antihistamine, anti-inflammatory and decongestant.

A popular treatment for hay fever for many years, bromealin has demonstrated anti-allergic activity in the lungs and airways (1).

Clinical studies in the 1960s found that bromelain can reduce sinusitis and hay fever symptoms (2-4).

In one such study 85% of people taking bromelain had complete resolution of breathing difficulties and airway inflammation compared to just 53% and 40% in the placebo group respectively (2).

A more recent study in children with acute sinusitis found that bromelain reduced the duration of symptoms and sped up recovery compared with usual care (5).

Apart from people with known pineapple allergy, bromelain is safe and free of any known side effects. For the best results take 750-1,000 mg daily in divided doses between meals (6).

References:

1.  Secor ER, Carson WF, Singh A, et al. Oral bromelain attenuates inflammation in an ovalbumin-induced murine model of asthma. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med 2008;5:61-69.

2. Ryan RE. A double-blind clinical evaluation of bromelains in the treatment of acute sinusitis. Headache 1967;7:13-17.

3. Taub SJ. The use of ananase in sinusitis: a study of 60 patients. Eye Ear Nose Throat Mon 1966;45:96,98.

4. Seltzer AP. Adjunctive use of bromelains in sinusitis: a controlled study. Eye Ear Nose Throat Mon 1967;46:1281-1288.

5. Braun JM, Schneider B, Beuth HJ. Therapeutic use, efficiency and safety of the proteolytic pineapple enzyme Bromelain- POS in children with acute sinusitis in Germany. In Vivo 2005;19:417-421.

6. Bromelain. Monograph. Altern Med Rev. 2010 Dec;15(4):361-8.