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Spring is fast upon us, which is wonderful , but hay fever — a.k.a. allergic rhinitis — is also fast upon us and will once again be causing problems for millions of people. Hay fever is one of the most common chronic diseases in America, affecting as many as one in ten. Many people identify one season — spring, summer or fall — as the one where their symptoms are by far the most pronounced; but some people suffer allergic reactions to pollen in all three seasons. If it’s hard for you to even think of the topic of hay fever without your eyes involuntarily starting to water and your nose starting to twitch, take heart, there are a number of natural solutions. Typical symptoms Hay fever symptoms include: stuffy and/or runny nose (clear mucus), headache, sneezing, wheezing, watery eyes, etc. Sometimes there’s a lowgrade fever as well, along with sensations of difficulty thinking, “brain fog,” low energy, fatigue and joint pains. Not everyone experiences the whole host of symptoms, but some do If it’s hard for you to even think of the topic of hay fever without your eyes involuntarily starting to water and your nose starting to twitch, take heart, there are a number of natural solutions. Pharmaceutical solutions tend to fall short : Dangers of pharmaceutical “solutions” include the “rebound” effect, a sudden worsening of symptoms once you stop taking the preparation. Then there are side-effects, sometimes worse than the hay fever itself , which can include “headache, viral infection, sore throat, nosebleeds, coughing.” In other words, it’s a tough call between which symptoms are worse — the ones you take it for, or the ones you get from taking it. Allergy-desensitization shots don’t work very well, and prescription drugs can have a host of undesirable side effects. After a few days, nasal sprays can cause symptoms to recur stronger than before. Herbal formulations Herbal items fall into two main categories which overlap somewhat: anti-inflammatory herbs, which address immediate symptoms, and tonic herbs, which help balance and calm the body’s immune response over time. Herbs used for immediate and/or seasonal relief include onions, garlic, elderflowers, nettles, ginger, marshmallow root, turmeric. Bioflavonoids These colorful biochemicals, which combine nicely with vitamin C, possess potent anti-oxidant, anti-cancer and antiviral properties. Studies on quercetin and other natural bioflavonoids show that they prevent the release of histamine and other allergy mediators. Mixed carotenoids These biochemicals help quench the inflammatory allergic reaction. Get them naturally from red, yellow or dark green fruits and vegetables; get extra protection from multi-carotenoid supplements. Nettles The stinging nettle (Urtica dioca) is a common folk remedy that has some allergy-fighting potential. It can be used dried, sprinkled as powder over salads, in drinks, etc., or taken in supplement form or made into a tea. Micro-algae and cereal grasses Micro-algae and cereal grasses can be helpful for some people, not everyone, in clearing allergies, , because of their immune-enhancing, anti-inflammatory properties, as well as their abundant supply of Omega-3 and/or GLA fatty acids. Friendly fats GLA and Omega-3 fats are anti-inflammatory allies. Omega-3’s are found in fish, nuts, seeds, flax seed or hemp seed oil, whole grains, beans, full-fat tofu, and dark leafy greens. Explore the above herbs and foods and find out which work best for you. |
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