15 Natural Anti-Histamines & Mast Cell Stabilizers

In functional medicine, we always want to be looking upstream and trying to gather as many clues and evidence through testing and intake to determine what is at the root cause of the chronic symptoms in question.

We then work to treat and resolve the underlying problem(s) and this helps to reduce symptoms and restore health long term. But what happens when someone is reacting to or not tolerating the treatment needed to resolve their root cause problems?

This is the biggest challenge I see for those who have MCAS and histamine intolerance.  Their immune systems are so hyper-reactive and overly sensitive that they will often have trouble tolerating the treatment needed to resolve the root cause issues like parasites, lyme, SIBO, retroviruses, or mold. 

I experienced this personally when I was being treated for Lyme disease and mold illness aggressively for 2 years before knowing that MCAS was playing a role in my symptoms. My MCAS manifested as extreme body pain, even after 2 years of Lyme disease treatment my pain wasn't getting any better, in fact, it was getting worse!!  I also found myself becoming very sensitive and reactive to foods, smells, chemicals, EMF's, and even most of the medications and supplements that were treating my illness.  I could not tolerate treatment and was just getting sicker and feeling worse. 

​Figuring out I had MCAS and adding in both pharmaceutical and natural anti-histamines and mast cell stabilizers was a game changer for me. My pain levels dropped slowly, my energy improved, my rashes disappeared and my food reactions lessened. Overtime I finally started to be able to tolerate the treatment I needed to resolve my root causes. 

After my personal experience and professionally working with lots of mast cell clients, I now understand that its imperative to get the immune system to calm down and be less reactive before you will be able to tolerate treatment for and resolve what's at the root cause of your MCAS.

My practice is now close to 80% MCAS patients and every client is unique in what combination of anti-histamines and mast cell stabilizers work to calm down the immune response and be less reactive.

I use special lab testing to help give me clues about each clients bio-individual triggers, metabolism, and root cause issues. This helps me make educated recommendations in the area of natural anti-histamines and mast cell stabilizers that will work for each personal individually. 

There are some nuances to choosing the right combination of supplements and it often takes some trail and error. This is why I highly recommend working with a practitioner who knows and understands this well to help guide your choices.

You will want to choose clean formulations with minimal or no fillers and avoid magnesium or vegetable stearates.  I suggest single active ingredient items so that you know what is helping or hurting you.

Lastly, never try more than one of these at the same time.  Always try anything that is new to you alone with no other changes or adjustments in food or medications, titrate up to the recommended dose slowly and then add the next item. I typically recommend a 3 day trial before increasing the dose or adding the next supplement. 

Here are the natural options that I use most in my practice...

15 Natural Anti-Histamines & Mast Cell Stabilizers:

1. Quercetin - a bioflavonoid that is likely the most used and well known anti-histamine and natural mast cell stabilizer. It is sourced from either citrus or onion & garlic family.  Tip: People who have salicylate intolerance will often not tolerance quercetin well. The typical recommended dose is 500 mg prior to each meal. Pure Encapsulations, Allergy Research Group, and Designs for Health are my go-to brands for this. 
   
   
2. Luteolin - a bioflavonoid that is usually extracted from artichokes that is a potent mast cell stabilizer and natural anti-histamine. I often recommend the following products that contain luteolin: Neuroprotect and Mirica.
   
   
3. Pycnogenol - is pine bark extract, another bioflavonoid that can be effective as a mast cell stabilizer and anti-histamine. This is often a good choice when quercetin and/or luteolin are not tolerated well which is fairly common. 
   
   
4. Stinging Nettles Leaf- has been shown to inhibit leukotriene release from mast cells. Leukotrienes are a mediator that often gets triggered from salicylate and phenol sensitivity. Taking 250-500mg prior to each meal can help to lower reactions. 
   
   
5. Vitamin C - can be effective as an anti-histamine, however I find that ascorbic acid products are not often well tolerated by MC patients. So I typically recommend getting a supplement that offers natural sources of Vitamin C like: Allergy Research Group Cassava C, Camu Camu, or Australia's Kakadu plum. I recommend Bushfoods Kakadu plum freeze-dried, wild-harvested powder. 
   
   
6. Evening Primrose Oil - has been shown to lower prostaglandins which are another mediator that gets released from mast cells. A good dose is 1,500mg daily taken at bedtime or with dinner. 
   
   
7. DAO Enzyme or Xylanase Enzyme - while these enzymes are not mast cell stabilizers or anti-histamines, they do help to break down histamine and phenol based compounds in the gut and can be effective in reducing reactions to foods especially.
   
   DAO is used for those who have histamine intolerance and a mutation on their DAO or HNMT enzymes. I like Umbrellex brand DAO.
   
   Xylanase is an enzyme used to help break down phenol based compounds like salicylates that many mast cell people are reactive to. The brand I like is Kirkman Phenol Assist or Houston Enzymes No-Fenol. 
   
   
8. Milk Thistle - is a natural mast cell stabilizer, also helps to support liver and gallbladder detox.  This is not recommended for those that have a ragweed allergy. 
   
   
9. Butterbur - this is a natural anti-histamine that works similarly to H1 blockers Zyrtec or Allergra. This can be especially helpful for brain related symptoms like brain fog, anxiety, and migraines. 
   
   
10. Feverfew - this is a natural mast cell stabilizer that supports healthy mucous membranes and can improve cranial blood vessel integrity. It can be very effective for headaches and migraines related to mast cell and histamine issues. Good formulations are: Ecological Formulas, Wise Women's Herbs, and Vital Nutrients. 
    
    
11. Baikal Skullcap - This herb can be very helpful in lowering neurological inflammation. It is a natural mast cell stabilizer and helps to de-activate retroviruses which I find to be a big root cause of MCAS.  Start with 2 drops, twice daily and increase by 1 drop every week, this is powerful so go slow. I like Wise Women's Herbs or Herb Pharm brand tinctures
    
    
12. L. theanine or GABA - l. theanine is an amino acid that is a precursor to GABA, a calming neurotransmitter. While these are not directly natural anti-histamines, they do help to calm and balance the nervous system which in turn helps to lower MCA. 
    
    
13. Chondrontin Sulfate - this has been shown to have powerful mast cell stabilizing properties and works very effectively to lower UTI occurrence and Interstitial Cystitis  flares (which are tied to MCA) because it protects the lining of the bladder mucosa. Avoid this if you have sulfur intolerance.  
    
    
14. Licorice Root or DGL - either of these forms of licorice root can provide natural anti-histamine support, they work on H2 receptors and can be helpful for symptoms like: flushing, GERD/reflux/heartburn, and throat inflammation. 
    
    
15. Aloe Vera - this medicinal plant is a potent mast cell stabilizer. It can help with IBS related symptoms especially. Avoid this if you are salicylate intolerant as it is high in salicylic acid. 

These are my go-to natural mast cell stabilizers, which for some people can be used in combination with pharmaceuticals like ketotifen, chromolyn, singular, and over the counter anti-histamines like Benadryl. I highly recommend working with an experienced practitioner who can help you choose the products that meet your needs best.

Always keep in mind these anti-histamines and mast cell stabilizers are not going to fix the underlying, or root problem(s) that are causing the MCA symptoms. They will simply help to lower reactions and calm the immune response down so that you can start to treat the underlying reasons your mast cells are over-stimulated in the first place. 

In the coming weeks, I will be doing a blog on the Common Root Causes of MCA and Histamine Intolerance. So I hope you tune in again soon!

If histamine intolerance and mast cell activation are a topic of interest to you, check out my FREE ONLINE WEBINAR coming up this Saturday, 9/29 at 10:30am MT. Click the image below to register and reserve your spot today. 

References:

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2. Kimata M, ShichijoM, Miura T, Serizawa I, Inagaki N, Nagai H. Effects of luteolin, quercetin and baicalein on immunoglobulin E-mediated mediator release from human cultured mastcells.ClinExpAllergy. 2000b;30:501–508. [PubMed]
3. Park HH, Lee S, Son HY, Park SB, Kim MS, Choi EJ, et al. Flavonoids inhibit histamine release and expression of proinflammatory cytokines in mast-cells. Arch Pharm Res. 2008;31:1303–1311.[PubMed]
4. Kim B-R, SeoH-S, Ku J-M, et al. Silibinininhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines through inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway in HMC-1 human mast-cells. Inflammation. Research. 2013;62(11):941-950. doi:10.1007/s00011-013-0640-1.
5. ChapowalA. PetasitesStudy Group. Randomisedcontrolled trial of butterbur and cetirizine for treating seasonal allergic rhinitis. BMJ 2002;324:144-6.
6. Hayes, N. A. and Foreman, J. C. The activity of compounds extracted from feverfew on histamine release from rat mast-cells. J Pharm Pharmacol1987;39(6):466-470
7. Hsieh et al. Baicalein inhibits IL-1ß- and TNF-a-induced inflammatory cytokine production from human mast-cells via regulation of the NF-?B pathway. ClinMolAllergy. 5: 5. 2007.
8. TheoharidesTC, Patra P, Boucher W, et al. Chondroitin sulphateinhibits connective tissue mast-cells. British Journal of Pharmacology. 2000;131(6):1039-1049. doi:10.1038/ sj.bjp.0703672.
9. Ro JY, Lee BC, Kim JY, et al. Inhibitory mechanism of aloe single component (alprogen) on mediator release in guinea pig lung mast-cells activated with specific antigenantibodyreactions. J PharmacolExpTher. 2000;292:114–121. 73.
   
10. Kim B-R, SeoH-S, Ku J-M, et al. Silibin ininhibits the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines through inhibition of NF-κB signaling pathway in HMC-1 human mast-cells. Inflammation. Research. 2013;62(11):941-950. doi:10.1007/s00011-013-0640-1.
11. Kim NH,JeongHJ, Kim HM. Theanine is a candidate amino acid for pharmacological stabilization of mast-cells. Amino Acids. 2011;42:1609–1618.
12. Theoharides,TheoharisC., and Leonard Bielory. “Mast-cells and mast-cell mediators as targets of dietary supplements.” Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology 93.2 (2004): S24-S34.