Many people are turning to hives herbal remedies as a way of treating their condition. The conventional treatment for hives is usually various forms of antihistamines, which can be prescribed or bought over-the-counter. However, these often cause drowsiness and may hinder a person’s ability to concentrate.

While some might argue that hives are best treated with conventional medicines, many hives herbal remedies have proved themselves very effective. In addition, they cause fewer side effects than other medications. In any case, being open with your physician is important, especially if you have chronic hives.

A lot of these hives herbal remedies have been around for centuries. For example, sandalwood essential oil was traditionally used by Native Americans for its calming and cooling affects. Mint is another example of herbs that have been around for centuries, and is still found to be a safe and effective treatment. These are also two of the most commonly used herbal remedies.

Herbal Treatments

Self-growth.com gives a great method for using mint to treat hives. You begin by basically making tea with crushed mint leaves.  Seep 2 teaspoons of mint leaves in boiling water for about 5 minutes. Afterwards, take the solution and make ice cubes out of it. Applying these ice cubes to the irritated and inflamed area sooths both the inflammation and irritation.

Sandalwood oil is known to be a sedative for the skin. It is known for its cooling and healing properties. For this treatment, add several drops of this oil to a cotton ball and apply it to the infected area every three hours. It can also be used in powder form. Home-remedies-for-you.com advises mixing this powder with rose water to forms a paste that you can apply to the hives for instant relief.

Another one of the most popular hives herbal remedies is Aloe Vera. Aloe Vera remedies have been around for centuries; it has always been mainly used for skin conditions such as burns, skin irritations, and for healing and treating wounds. This not only heals hives by promoting tissue regeneration, but also provides immediate relief to itching and burning.

There are many beneficial herbs that are known to be helpful with hives. Talking to herbalists, naturopaths, or even health care providers that have been trained in herbal medicine is helpful. The following is a list of herbs that have been known to be helpful in treating hives:

• Alfalfa
• Bilberry extract
• Cat’s claw
• Chamomile
• Ginseng
• Evening primrose oil
• St. John’s wart
• Lemon balm

Whether you have an acute case of hives or a chronic case (urticaria) there are hives herbal treatments available for you. Even when seeking the right hives herbal treatment, it is important to consult your doctor. This is because certain supplements and herbs may actually interfere with the medications that you usually take.

Hives are believed to be caused by allergens, but the underlying cause is actually an overactive immune system. However, hives are usually triggered by certain substances. The first step to a hives herbal treatment is to try to identify the things that may trigger this allergic reaction so that they can be avoided. According to Herbs2000.com, common immune system triggers are:

• An insect bite or sting
• Fluctuations in temperature
• Emotional Pressure
• Excessive scratching
• Shellfish
• Food additives

Aspirin, penicillin, or other medications may trigger hives too. Preservatives, food stabilizers found in foods such as milk, strawberries, eggs, and nuts have been known to be potential triggers, along with some flavorings and food coloring substances. Urticaria in particular seems to be triggered by intense exercise or physical activity, stress, and even just high body temperatures. Hives can be further aggravated by coffee, cigarettes, and alcohol, so stay away from these substances if you are trying to cure or remedy hives.

Helpful Herbal Remedies

There are many various herbs that naturopathic doctors and herbalists would recommend for hives herbal treatment. Selfgrowth.com recommends the following common remedies for hives herbal treatment:

Quercetin– This is a plant pigment that is found in leafy green vegetables, onions, apples, and other natural foods. It works because it is a natural antihistamine. A dose of 500 milligrams a day is normally recommended.

Sandalwood Essential Oil – this is a traditional Native American remedy for hives. They believed hives to be a fiery condition, so they used the oil for its calming and cooling effects. Herbalists today say it is a great sedative for the skin. It only takes a few drops. Apply the oil to a cotton ball and rub it onto the affected area, then repeat every three hours.

Mint – This herb is often used for its cooling effects. Mint oil can be used to soothe the irritation that is brought about by hives. Many people make mint ice cubes to treat hives with. To make these, simply seep 2 teaspoons of freshly crushed mint leaves in boiling water for 5 minutes. Strain the tea into an ice cube tray and place it in your freezer. When frozen, apply the cubes directly to the skin in the area of the irritation or inflammation.

Urticaria, otherwise known as chronic hives, is a skin condition in which an outbreak of itchy red welts may occur anywhere on the body. People are beginning to turn to hives herbal remedy treatments more and more often. This is because often medications are either not effective or hives begin to reappear once the medications have stopped. Many herbalists and healthcare providers have found that hives herbal remedy treatments work because they treat the body as a whole, instead of just treating the symptoms.

There are several different things which can trigger reactions that cause hives. According to Livestrong.com these include certain foods, medications, bacteria, or viruses. Allergens such as pollen and latex have been known to trigger hives, but many believe that this could be caused by a reaction of an over active immune system as well.

Before beginning to use a hives herbal remedy, try to take notice of what may be triggering your reactions. Milk, some fruits, eggs, and nuts are potential triggers. Uticaria, in particular, has been known to be triggered by overly-intensive exercise, stress, or a high body temperature. Once you identify what triggers the source of the problem, and learn to avoid it, then hives herbal remedy treatments can be implemented to help support your immune system and boost your overall health (Herbs2000.com, 2011).

Known Remedies for Hives

Probably the most commonly used hives herbal remedy is Aloe Vera gel. Aloe Vera is a plant that has been used for centuries in various skin treatments such as burns, skin irritations and wounds. This plant has been found to have antimicrobial properties which promote tissue regeneration (Livestrong.com, 2011).

Hives-treatment.com recommends taking regular doses of quercetin. This can be found in onions, apples, leafy greens, and other natural foods. This has been known to reduce or even completely eliminate hives in people because it acts as an antihistamine. Mint or mint oil has been known to sooth irritation. Sandalwood is also recommended both as a oil or as a paste.

The use of supplements is often recommended to help with hives. Vitamin C and vitamin B12 are known to be the most important.  Beta-carotene has also been noted to be help in some cases. A well balanced diet is also essential to keeping your body strong and healthy.

When you are trying something new, take small doses and give your body time to react to ensure your safety. In addition, speak to a healthcare professional for a better understanding of what doses to use and what side effects to watch out for when taking either supplements or herbs. In cases of chronic hives, you should seek professional help for both supervision and remedy.

If you are looking for an urticaria diet to help with your symptoms, there are plenty of suggestions out there. There is also a lot of information to have to sort through. Basically, the fundamentals are all the same. This article will help you to find the diet for urticaria that best fits you.

All of the diets that have to do with hives suggest foods that are high in vitamin C. Foods that are high in vitamin C include dark green vegetables and citrus fruits. Some websites suggest that taking vitamin E along with vitamin C is even more affective in helping the immune system. Asparagus, lettuce, peas, and sunflower seed are examples of foods with vitamin E.

As a general rule, stay away from foods that have been fermented. These include cheese, soy products, alcoholic beverages and vinegar. These foods are high in histamines. Foods such as eggplant and spinach are also high in histamine. In addition, high levels of histamine can be found in food additives as well.

Chronic Urticaria Diet

For a chronic urticaria diet, an elimination diet is best. This type of diet removes all the foods that are potential allergens. Read the following to have a better understanding of what should be eaten and what should be eliminated:

Milk and Dairy: You can drink plain milk or ricotta cheese, but do not eat yogurt, buttermilk, or plain cheese.

Breads and Cereals:  For the most part, it is fine to eat breads which are homemade or fresh as long as they don’t have artificial colors, artificial flavors, or preservatives. Breakfast cereals should be made of plain grains or oats, cream of wheat or puffed rice. Cookies or pie should be homemade without baking mixes.

Vegetables: you should avoid eggplant, pumpkin, sauerkraut, spinach, tomato, and tomato products.

Fruits: Apple, banana, cantaloupe, figs, grapefruit, and watermelon are examples of fruits that are good for you. Apricot, cherry, orange, pineapple, strawberries and plums are some that should be avoided.

Meat, Poultry, and Fish:  Avoid processed meats, leftover cooked meats, and shellfish.

This information was found at Urticaria.thunderworksinc.com. Visit the website for a complete listing of foods to be avoided and those that are okay to eat. You can also find information on the elimination diet at Livestrong.com.

Pressure Urticaria Diet

In 1986 there was a study made in which patients with pressure urticaria were able to manage their urticaria without medications because of a restricted diet (exclusion diet). What they found suggests that food sensitivity may be a factor in this type of urticaria. For a urticaria patient, it also shows how much or a role a healthy diet can play in our body’s recovery. If you would like more information on this study, please visit PubMed.gov.

One of the major problems with hives treatment is that it concentrates on curing the symptoms and not the underlying causes of hives. In curing this condition, a hives diet is essential. For most people, hives is a result of an overactive immune system, so keeping the body balanced is the best way to solve this problem.

Generally what is recommended first for a hives diet is drinking lots of water to keep toxins in the body low. Also, it is highly advised to have lots of vitamin C in your diet, as it helps your immune system function correctly. It also has been known to help reduce histamine release and make histamine break down faster. All fruits and vegetables have vitamin C; however, the darker green vegetables have the highest amount.

Foods that contain quercetin are also highly recommended. This is because it has antioxidant, anti-histmine, and anti-inflammatory properties. According to Healwithfood.com, you can find quercetin in apples, capers, lovage, red and yellow onions, broccoli, red grapes, cherries, citrus fruits, tea, red wine, and many berries.

Chronic Hives Diet

A chronic hives diet requires everything listed above and more. You should eat foots that are high in B12. These include eggs, poultry, and cold water fish like salmon.  Whole grains such as in cereals and breads are also important.

It is also encouraged for people on a chronic hives diet to intake lots of anti-oxidants which can be found in foods like blue berries and drinks like green tea. They should also eat foods that are high in zinc, such as celery, figs, asparagus and potatoes. Finally, Healwithfood.com states that you should eat less food with Omega-6 fatty acids (vegetable oils, corn oil, and safflower oil) and more Omega-3 fatty acids (flaxseeds, soybean, walnuts, cod, and salmon).

Elimination Diet for Hives

In a condition such as this, avoidance can make a world of difference. Found on the Onlinelibrary.wiley.com, one study titled Most chronic urticaria is food-dependant, and not idiopathic states that it found that “in the majority of patients, food ingredients provoke the symptoms and sustain the disease.” It goes on to say that by avoiding preservatives, dyes, and natural pseudoallergens, 73% of patients experience remission (Henz BM, Zuberbier T., 1998).

One hives diet that is very good to try is the hives allergen elimination diet. You can find this diet described in more detail at Ehow.com. Basically, this diet excludes foods that often cause allergic reactions. Some foods to exclude are peanut products, dairy, shellfish, and soybeans. Mushroom, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants should not be eaten either. Grapes and fruits from the citrus family should also be excluded, and so should refined sugar. Alcohol, caffeine, and soda should not be consumed either.

The foods that are okay on this diet include, but are not limited to, dairy substitutes like coconut of almond milks, breads made of a non-gluten supplement. Meats such as wild game, duck and organic chicken are allowed. So are water, herbal teas and fruit juices.

Questions are flooding Internet health forums asking what the connection is between Hives and AIDs. They don’t really have a medical connection in particular. However, since AIDs is an immune disease, someone with AIDs would probably be more likely to get hives than someone that doesn’t have AIDs. It is also true that hives usually have an underlying cause which could in fact be AIDs.

On Thebody.com, Robert James Frascino of the AIDs Foundation comments specifically on HIV. He states “Generally speaking, hives or urticarial eruptions are not all that common in HIV acute retroviral syndrome (ARS).” He goes on to recommend seeing an allergist or dermatologist to find any underlying causes.

According to Livestrong.com, people who suffer from AIDs often have chronic skin problems such as rashes, hives, lesions and wounds that won’t heal. These symptoms may be triggered by an allergic reaction. Hives normally come and go regularly, so if you have them for an extended period of time, you may want to visit your physician to find out if there is an underlying cause to your allergy.

The Hives & AIDs connection

One reason for the confusion is that hives are usually caused by an over-active immunity problem. This is where the immune system’s antibodies overreacts to certain triggers and maybe even attacks its own tissue. In cases of AIDs, on the other hand, the immune system is not able to react properly because there it is not as active as it should be. The simple fact that they are both immune deficiencies makes people connect the two.

Another connection between hives and AIDs could be in the medications. Certain medications have been known to trigger hives in people. However, one should not suppose that it is AIDs or the medications that have triggered these hives. There are plenty of environmental factors that can trigger these sorts of allergic reactions, and there are plenty of diseases that may be the underlying cause of hives. What ever you think the cause may be, you should consult with your doctor as soon as possible.

Overall, however, people tend to overreact to thing in which they don’t understand. For example, because hives come out of nowhere, if not recognized the first thought may be that the hives are an AIDs symptom. Also, people who see someone with hives may automatically assume they have a terrible disease. The best thing to do is not jump to conclusions. Simply, visit your doctor to get examined and diagnosed as soon as possible.

If you have been to the doctor to treat hives, and nothing seems to work, you should try a hives alternative treatment. There are many types of alternative treatments that you can try and most treatments are completely safe. However, as with anything else, take caution when trying new things and consult your physician before beginning any hives alternative treatment.

One of the main alternative treatments for hives that people are turning to is acupuncture. This form of treatment works well on hives because it attempts to treat the underlying cause, and not just the symptoms. People who practice traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) believe that energy flows in and out of the body by ‘meridians’, or channels. When a person’s energy flow becomes unbalanced, the result is illness or discomfort. In acupuncture, specific points are associated with different ailments. Slender needles are placed into the patient’s skin along these points in order to rebalance the person’s energy, allowing them to recover (Livestrong.com, 2011).

Medical literature on Oriental medicine, such as acupuncture, can be found dating back to 3AD. Aside from acupunctures, TCM practitioners may also recommend oriental herbs, herbal medicines, and lifestyle or dietary changes to the sufferer. Diet is especially important when trying to cure the body.

Home Remedies

Home remedies are often used in conjunction with conventional medicine to cure hives. There are some very effective home treatments that you can try which alleviate irritation and heal the skin. Many of them involve herbs that have been used to heal the skin for centuries.

Hives-treatment.com suggests using parsley because it contains natural antihistamines and it help to stop itching. In this remedy, take 3 teaspoons of fresh parsley, or 1 teaspoon if it’s dry. Add it to one cup of water and boil for 5-10 minutes. Strain it and drink up three cups everyday. Amaranth seeds also have antihistamine compounds and are beneficial to treating hives. In this remedy, just boil 2 teaspoons of amaranth seeds in 3 cups of water for 15 minutes. Strain and dab it over your hives with a cotton cloth for relief.

Aloe Vera has natural soothing and skin healing properties. It is one of the best remedies for any type of skin conditions, and it will immediately subside itching that is caused by hives. Some people use the gel straight from inside the plant, but the Aloe Vera gel that you find on the shelf at the store work well too.

Hives acupuncture is one of the leading treatments available. Urticaria acupuncture works because it treats the whole body instead of just the symptoms of the disease. Not only can acupuncture heal the symptoms of hives, in many cases they do not reoccur and you are cured of them altogether. This is why acupuncture for hives is gaining in popularity year to year.

Chinese medicine has a more holistic understanding than that of the Western world. So, Chinese medicine treatment starts with an analysis of the entire system. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) it is believed that energy flows through the body in channels known as ‘meridians’. When this energy flow becomes unbalanced, sickness or physical and emotional discomfort will result.

Hives are considered to be a wind rash.  Furthermore, they are diagnosed as being warm or cold. Normally, those that are red are associated with heat and those that are pink are white are said to be wind-cold. This diagnosis will help determine treatment.

The treatments that are to be received are decided after considering both the root (cause) and the branch (symptoms). Immediate relief is given to relieve itching and swelling so that underlying imbalances, or causes, can be addressed.

Acupuncture and Hives Treatment

In acupuncture, slender metal needle are inserted into the patients skin, at traditional locations along the meridians. By stimulating theses points, which are associated with different types of ailments, it is believed that the body’s energy can be rebalanced.  Once rebalance, the person can recover. Depending on the state of your overall health, many different acupuncture points could be used. Acupuncture for urtricaria is usually tailored to each person individually. However, according to Acufinder.com, the two most commonly used points in hives acupuncture is Spleen 10 (SP 10) and Large Intestine 11 (LI 11).

SP 10 is located above the inner corner of the kneecap when the knee is slightly bent; it is one of the major points used to treat skin conditions. LI 11 is found in the depression at the outer part of the elbow creases. This point is meant to help expel wind and heat from the body and to reduce inflammation.

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine states that hives acupuncture treatment is not risk free. Although few adverse effects have been reported, if it is practiced incorrectly you could suffer serious injury or infection. Make sure the practitioner is correctly licensed and has conventional medical training as well. You should also continue to see and communicate with your family doctor regularly.

Hives prevention is not an easy task. Urticaria prevention takes a lot of lifestyle changes to accomplish, but it can be done. The main thing to remember is that if you treat your body well, you can help it to react right. This article will provide you with tips and tactics that help in the prevention of hives.

Ehow.com suggests that if you want to cure hives, you should do so with an elimination diet. Although, allergies are truly not the cause of hives sometimes food can trigger an outbreak. This diet simply excludes foods that trigger outbreaks of hives in people and list foods that are safe to consume.

The foods to be excluded are peanut products, shellfish, dairy, and food made from soybeans. Mushrooms, eggplant, and peppers should also be eliminated. On the other hand, water and herbal teas are permitted. So are meats such as wild game, saltwater fish, organic chicken, and much more. Don’t hesitate to visit Ehow.com for more information on the elimination diet for hives prevention.

Tactics of Prevention

There are other known hives triggers that should be avoided as well. These include extremes in hot or cold temperatures, over exertion or heavy exercise, clothes that are too tight or fabrics that don’t breathe, medications that contain aspirin and situations that may cause stress or anxiety.

Of course, not all things can be avoided. So, let’s turn it around. Know that if you have to be exposed to extreme temperatures it has the potential to trigger your hives. By the same token over exertion that causes sweat or a raised body temperature may do the same. Wear clothes that are made of cotton or other breathable fabrics. Pepto-Bismol, penicillin, and drugs that contain aspirin may trigger hives. Finally, if you are stressed, talk to your doctor about upping your dosage of antihistamine.

If you really want to work on hives prevention, you have to understand that it is not caused by an allergic reaction. At the core, it is caused by an immune system dysfunction that makes your body to react wrong when exposed to certain substances.

For hives prevention, be sure to drink a lot of water to get rid of excess toxins and intake a lot of vitamin C to help your immune system. Foods rich in quercetin such as apples, onions, and leafy greens are rich in natural antihistamines and antioxidants. This of course will keep your histamine levels down and help in your urticaria prevention.

Herbs and acupuncture are the most popular forms of Chinese medicine hives treatment. In fact, both types of Chinese medicine urticaria treatment have been used to treat hives for centuries. With either treatment, it usually takes between two and six months to heal, but these Chinese medicine hives treatment often put people in remission.

One must understand that traditional Chinese medical practices such as herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage, exercise, and dietary treatments are still practiced in the East. Treatment is put together on a person by person basis. In the Western world these practices seem taboo, and are considered alternative medicine.

In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), a healthy person is at harmony with the world around him. A disease is considered a disharmony between the body’s functional entities (breathing, digestion, aging, etc.) and the outside world. Therefore TCM works to trace symptoms to the underlying cause of this disharmony (Wikipedia.org, 2011). Because they treat the ‘source’ not the symptoms, in TCM two people with similar symptoms may be treated in two different ways.

Chinese Medicine & Hives Treatment

Schisandra is one of the best Chinese herbs that can be used in urticaria treatment. It is said that this herb alleviates hives, eczema, and swollen tissues. In addition, it increases the body’s ability to deal with chemical stress. Finally, it also protects the body from various toxins and helps with liver functioning.

Mint is another herb that has been used in the east for centuries. You can boil the leaves and flavor to make your own tea, or add it to your diet. One herbal remedy people use is making a tea out of mint, draining the leaves, and then making ice cubes out of the remaining solution. Putting these ice cubes on the skin is said to relieve both inflammation and itch. Other herbs that may be used in a Chinese medicine hives treatment are:

• Mushrooms (Reishi or Shiitake) – for the immune system
• Dangue – for the liver or blood
• Astragalus – for the immune system
• Atractylodes – for digestive disorders
• Bupleurum – for liver problems and skin ailments
• Peony – for liver problems
• Salvia – for liver disfunction and cooling effects

Nowadays, Chinese herbal formulas are normally patented and sold over the counter in an easy convenient form. Of course that means that they are no longer put together on a person-to-person basis. If you would like to take a look at Chinese patented herbal medicines, you may wish to visit Chineseherbdirect.com or Holisticchineseherbs.com.