HAY FEVER: MY TOP 5 HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES
It's getting to that time of year when hay fever looms for many people. As the weather warms up and we enjoy spending time outside, hay fever can cause symptoms ranging from mild to extremely debilitating. Large numbers of people turn to anti-histamines but find that they have their limitations. For some, they seem to need ever-increasing doses, for others they just aren't enough, and for many, anti-histamines can leave them tired and foggy-brained.
WHY DO WE GET HAY FEVER?
HAY FEVER IS A KIND OF ALLERGY that occurs when the body reacts in an extreme way to a substance such as pollen or moulds. The body identifies the substance as harmful, triggering an immune response, and causing inflammation. Histamine is the chemical that the immune system produces in response to this perceived threat. The body’s reaction is out of proportion to the real threat, and is usually the result of inflammation or stress already present in the body or built into the genetic makeup.
HOW TO CALM HAY FEVER
Anti-histamines work by suppressing the production of the chemical histamine, but they don’t stop the body reacting in the first place. Calming stress and inflammation throughout the body, as well as soothing the acute inflammatory response, will get to the root of the problem.
SELF-HELP FOR HAY FEVER
PRACTICAL STEPS can make a huge difference: wear sunglasses on high pollen days; take off your outer layer when you come home; tie back long hair; and have a shower after a day out if possible, or simply wash your face.
AN ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIET will help calm the system. Eat whole foods and include a variety of vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, beans and lentils. Reduce sugar, processed food, alcohol, and stop smoking.
SUPPORTING GUT HEALTH will help reduce inflammation and improve the whole body. Include fermented foods in your diet such as live yoghurt, sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha, or try a probiotic supplement such as Unibac Original 9.
QUERCETIN is an anti-inflammatory nutrient found in many foods, especially those with a red pigment such as tomatoes, red peppers, red apples, etc. It can also be taken as a supplement to reduce the inflammatory response of hay fever. I recommend Terranova Quercetin Nettle Complex.
MAGNESIUM is another supplement that can work wonders. Magnesium is needed to relax muscles, so can be especially effective where hay fever affects the lungs and causes wheezing. I recommend Better You Magnesium Oil Body Spray.
LOCAL HONEY: there’s no conclusive evidence that this works, but many people swear by eating a small amount of local honey daily to lessen their symptoms.
Try to MAKE TIME TO DE-STRESS: include calm time before bed, try meditation, do a yoga class, or enjoy any relaxing hobbies such as gardening, reading or crafting. If you have very little time, take one or two minutes a couple of times a day to do some deep breathing - even this can make a big difference to your stress levels.
OTHER PRACTICAL PRODUCTS: Pollinosan Eye Drops; Pollinosan Allergy Nasal Spray; Schuessler Combination H Tissue Salts.
HOMEOPATHY FOR HAY FEVER
STUDIES SHOW THE BENEFITS OF HOMEOPATHY and it can be incredibly beneficial for hay fever sufferers. A study in the Lancet from 1986 tested a homeopathic remedy made from mixed grass pollens. It found that, “The homoeopathically treated patients showed a significant reduction in patient and doctor assessed symptom scores.” A more recent study concluded that, “Individualized homeopathic treatment was associated with significant alleviation of hay fever symptoms, enabling the reduction in use of conventional treatment.”
HOMEOPATHY WORKS ON THREE LEVELS for the most effective treatment of hay fever. THE FIRST LEVEL is to treat the immediate symptoms, alleviating the distressing affects of hay fever in the short-term. Grass, tree or flower pollen remedies can be very effective, or you can consult a homeopath who will choose remedies to match your particular symptoms.
A homeopath will address THE SECOND LEVEL using remedies that treat the constitution of the whole person. They will target someone’s characteristics, individual sensitivities, allergic response, immune system and stress levels.
THE THIRD LEVEL is that of someone’s inherited tendencies and susceptibilities. A homeopath will prescribe remedies that aim to clear these patterns, which may be driving personal sensitivities.
As a health coach as well as a homeopath, I would also be looking to suggest LIFESTYLE CHANGES in areas that might be contributing to an inflamed and over-reactive system, such as stress, sleep and nutrition.
HOMEOPATHY can be used to address the symptoms of hay fever, desensitise the system, support immunity, and boost health.
MY TOP 5 HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES FOR HAY FEVER SYMPTOMS
ALLIUM CEPA (red onion). If you imagine the effects of cutting up an onion – streaming eyes; red, burning and runny nose – these are the kind of hay fever symptoms Allium Cepa can treat. There may also be intense sneezing, with improvement in fresh air.
EUPHRASIA (the 'Eyebright' plant). This remedy is all about the eyes: watery, burning eyes, bloodshot eyes, sore/swollen eyelids, gritty eyes, and sensitivity to sunlight.
NATRUM MURIATICUM (salt) can be used for hay fever with watering (gritty) eyes, post-nasal drip, frequent sneezing, and a general sensitivity to sunlight. There may be a temporary loss of taste and smell. People needing this remedy can be irritable but feel much better by the sea.
SABADILLA (Cevadilla seed). The symptoms are: sore or swollen eyelids, runny nose with watery discharge, itching in the nose, fits of sneezing, and a dry mouth with little thirst. They are better in a warm room, and may have a feeling of a lump in the throat.
WYETHIA (the ‘Poison Weed’ plant) is characterised by itching: itchy, tickling in the nose, itching on the roof of the mouth, and itching in the throat. There may be a dry, irritated cough. The sufferer can be irritable and want to be alone.
The best place to start if you’ve never tried homeopathy before would be with Helios Hay Fever Combination, which is a great start to help the acute symptoms of hay fever.
WORK WITH ME
WORKING WITH A QUALIFIED HOMEOPATH will give you the best results from homeopathy. All my clients start with an IN-DEPTH CONSULTATION in order to tailor your treatment to you as an individual. I THEN WORK ON THE THREE LEVELS mentioned above, in order to calm your system as well as to address any immediate symptoms. Together we look at NUTRITION AND LIFESTYLE FACTORS to optimise results and help minimise a return of symptoms in the future.
If you or your child suffers from hay fever, do get in touch to find out how homeopathy could help you. I offer a FREE DISCOVERY CALL so that we can talk through your options.
*Did you know that homeopathic treatment for hay fever works best when it starts in the winter?! Hay fever isn’t just about the symptoms you experience in the spring, it’s about all the things going on in your body, your genetics, and your lifestyle. If we address those over the winter, your seasonal symptoms should be less severe and not last as long. Contact me for a FREE DISCOVERY CALL in the autumn to find out how I can help.*