Unblocking the Barrier: A Holistic Review of Homeopathic Therapeutics in the Management of Allergic Rhinitis
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Allergic rhinitis is an IgE-mediated inflammatory disorder of the nasal mucosa which is characterised by symptoms such as sneezing, watery rhinorrhoea, nasal obstruction, nasal itching and ocular symptoms. Although often trivialised, allergic rhinitis has a important impact on the quality of life of those affected, impacting their sleep, learning, work efficiency and quality of life. Also, there is a link between allergic rhinitis and asthma, as they both are manifestations of a unified airway. This narrative review discusses the epidemiology, clinical features, diagnosis, complications and the role of homoeopathy in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, with particular reference to the Indian literature on the topic. Literature for this review was obtained from databases such as PubMed, Google Scholar, Indian journals, allergy and asthma guidelines and homoeopathic texts and databases. Studies from India reveal that allergic rhinitis is common among children, adolescents, adults and those who attend clinics for nasal symptoms. The diagnosis of allergic rhinitis is mostly based on the clinical features of the patient and the use of the ARIA classification system, allergy tests and tools like the Score for Allergic Rhinitis. Treatment options include avoiding the allergens that cause the rhinitis, using intranasal corticosteroids, antihistamines and immunotherapy treatments. In homoeopathy, the treatment of allergic rhinitis is based on individualisation of the patient, their susceptibility to developing rhinitis, their exciting causes, modalities, mental state and physical generals and their miasmatic characteristics. Remedies like Allium cepa, Sabadilla, Euphrasia officinalis, Arsenicum album, Nux vomica, Arundo mauritanica, Wyethia helenioides, Natrum muriaticum, Pulsatilla nigricans, Kali iodatum and Lemna minor can be used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis but only if the symptoms match the remedy. There are several randomised controlled trials, observational studies and systematic reviews on the efficacy of homoeopathy in the treatment of allergic rhinitis. However, most of these studies have reported mixed results. Therefore, homoeopathy could potentially be used as an adjunct therapy in the treatment of allergic rhinitis in specific stable cases but never as a replacement for the established treatments for the condition.
Language: English
Subfield: Complementary and alternative medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7212895620