Hay Fever – * seasonal allergic rhinitis *

Hay fever is a seasonal allergy causing inflammation of the mucous membranes
of the nose and eyes.

Hay Fever is also called  * seasonal allergic rhinitis * .

There are about 26.1 million Americans who have hay fever symptoms each
year. About 14.6 million Americans have asthma , which sometimes accompanies
hay fever.

During the seasons when plants are pollinating, there is a large amount of
pollen in the air. People breath in the pollen and have an allegeric reaction to it.

Symptoms?

To those who suffer from hay fever, nature can be an agonizing thing.

Hay fever is characterized by sneezing; inflamed, watery, itchy eyes; and thin
nasal discharge.

Some of the symptoms of hay fever are: repeated and prolonged sneezing; a
stuffy and watery nose; redness, swelling and itching of the eyes; itching of the nose, throat and mouth; and itching of the ears, or other ear problems.

Coughing is sometimes a symptom and is a result of post nasal dripping of clear mucus.

Loss of smell is common and sometimes loss of taste occurs.

In severe conditions, nose bleeding occurs.

Why Does Sneezing and Swelling Occur?

Sneezing and swelling occurs because when the pollen (or other substance)
enters the nose, the body produces antibodies against them.

The antibodies reliease histamine and histamine irritates the upper respiratory passages.

When the upper respiratory passages are irritated, swelling and sneezing
often occurs.

When Will you Develop Hay Fever?

The * hay fever season * will occur at different times of the year for different people. This happens because trees, grasses, and weeds produce pollens during different seasons.

The * hay fever season *  greatly depends on where you live.

People who are sensitive to tree pollen may suffer in the early spring when
trees such as elm, maple, birch and poplar are producing pollen.

People who are sensitive to pollens produced by grasses may suffer in the late spring,
and early summer when most grasses are pollinating.

Can Hay Fever be Controlled?

Try to have one meal a day that consists of mainly raw salad ingredients.
Dress salads with a garlic, olive oil and cider vinegar dressing; flavoured
with local honey and herbs.

If you have a weak digestive system then have lightly steamed vegetables instead of raw salad.

While allergies can range from uncomfortable to agonizing, there are some
herbal remedies that can offer hay fever sufferers relief.

Herbal Remedies for Allergies

Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, helping to reduce nasal secretions and
inflammation.

Flavonoids such as quercetin, rutin, and hesperidin also have antihistamine properties and work well with vitamin C.

Luckily, this vitamin and the flavonoids occur together in many favorite garden foods, such as berries, plums, citrus fruits, peppers, spinach, and broccoli.

Nettle is useful for reducing hay fever symptoms.  Nettle leaves can be
taken in tea or capsule form.

Angelica comes to the rescue for hay fever as well as other allergic
reactions. It contains compounds that block the body *s production of certain
antibodies (IgE) that are made as the result of an allergic response. Use about 1/2 teaspoon per cup of water for tea.

Chili pepper, or cayenne, contains capsaicin. This active ingredient helps
desensitize the mucosa that line the airways, thus preventing them from
secreting excessive fluids and becoming inflamed when exposed to irritants.

Allergies can cause a great amount of discomfort — but with some herbs,
taken as teas, capsules or eaten in foods, you can find relief from the
symptoms of hay fever and other allergies.

Best wishes for your good health always.