May, 2011
The long-awaited spring weather has finally arrived (well—as of this writing spring seems to be hesitating!), and with it, suffering for people who are effected by seasonal allergies.
Hayfever (the commonly used generic term for seasonal allergy) is an allergy to proteins in the pollen of trees, grasses and plants. It effects the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, throat, and air passages, causing itching, watery secretions, irritability of membranes, fatigue, and in some, asthma and allergic skin rashes. There are three distinct hayfever seasons distinguished by the pollen present. Tree pollens appear first in early spring. The season that impacts most people is the time in late spring – early summer when trees, weeds, grass, flower pollens are all coming out at once. Fall is ragweed pollen season. In a spring like the one we’re having this year, with everything late to bloom and then coming out suddenly, the incidents and severity of hayfever suffering is greater than usual.
Luckily, there are numerous natural medicine approaches that are effective in helping sufferers feel more comfortable.
The classical homeopathic approach is one that requires addressing the problem in the winter months – one of preparing the body to be less sensitive to allergens. This works well. In my experience people have less severe symptoms each year that they go through the homeopathic protocol in winter – until they have resolved their allergies altogether. Some people only need one winter of treatment to feel free of allergies. If you have not had this sort of treatment, mark your calendars now – make an appointment to see your homeopath soon after the New Year to start a process of homeopathic allergy treatment. And then, read on, because there’s still lots you can do to ease your discomfort this season.
I suggest that people who suffer with seasonal allergies use both nutritional supplements as well as homeopathic remedies.
NUTRITIONAL SUPPLEMENTS, ETC
For many people, these approaches listed below will offer sufficient respite from symptoms.
· Bromelain – reduces inflammation associated with hayfever. Take 1000 mg 2-3 times daily between meals. Bromelain is a protease enzyme in pineapple.
· Quercitin – a bioflavonoid that stabilizes the membranes of cells that release histamine which, in turn, triggers allergic symptoms. Take 400 mg twice daily before meals. Quercitin is an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant flavonoid found in fruits, leaves, vegetables.
· Vitamin C with bioflavonoids– 3000 – 10,000 mg daily, spread out throughout the day. A good anti-inflammatory.
· Honey – get raw, unpasteurized local honey. This is truly ‘homeopathic’ as the bees that made the honey have feasted on the very same pollen that is torturing you. You will probably need to go to a farmer’s market to find raw local honey. Do not heat the honey. Take a teaspoon daily – yumm!!
· Stinging Nettle Tea –3-4 cups daily, or 2 capsules 3 times daily.
· Daily cleansing of nasal passages with a saline solution using a netti-pot can reduce many symptoms of allergy.
HOMEOPATHIC REMEDIES
As with most disorders, there are hundreds of homeopathic remedies that address the symptoms of seasonal allergy. Generally, I make a combination of remedies for my clients that is tailored to their particular, unique pattern of symptoms. There are commercially available combination remedies, but many of them have number of remedies that are completely inappropriate for any given individual, so I do not often recommend these products. However, Helio’s Pharmacy makes a Hayfever 30 remedy as well as a Mixed Pollens and Grasses remedy – both of which I think are good products. You can order these through Riverdale Homeopathic Resources (416-778-0085).
Below are three of the homeopathic remedies most commonly useful for seasonal allergies. If one of these remedies fits your symptom picture, give it a try, but if you see no improvement in a few days, discontinue use. It may be that you’ll need help from a professional to find a remedy (or combination) that is useful for you –but the results are worth it – it’s a terrible time of year not to feel full of the hope and joy of the season — and being able to breathe helps!!
Sabadilla – hayfever marked by sneezing
- Terrible violent paroxysms of sneezing with tearing of eyes Itching and tingling inside the nose
- Tearing, burning, and redness of the eyes, eyelids
- Nasal discharge watery, copious, with plugged up nose
- Itching of soft palate in mouth
- Severe headache in forehead
- Particularly sensitive to flower pollen
Euphrasia – hayfever that is centered in the eyes
- Extreme irritation, burning, and itching of eyes – burning discharge from eyes leaves them red and sore and very sensitive to light
- Constant watering of eyes, sore eyes
- Need to rub eyes, can be sensation of grain of sand in eye
- Eyes stuck together in morning on waking
- Lots of bland, watery, discharge from nose
- Euphrasia Tincture can also be used as a local eyebath by diluting 5 to 10 drops in about ½ cup of cooled boiled water. It is very soothing for sore eyes at any time – even if using a different remedy internally. Apply using soaked cotton wool balls, throwing out after every swipe of the eye. If solution burns, reduce the ratio of tincture to water
Allium Cepa – hayfever with miserable running/stuffed nose
- Nose dripping like a faucet – watery, profuse discharge that leaves nose and upper lip red, raw, and sore
- Much tearing of eyes, but discharge is not burning as in euphrasia – does not leave eyes red and crusty
- Nose completely obstructed – impossible to breath through nose
- Violent sneezing, especially on entering a warm room
- Hoarse voice often with hacking cough
- Symptoms worse in spring and late summer
- Often effects left nostril or eye first or with greater intensity
Dosing: I suggest you put 4 pellets of the remedy you select into 8 oz of spring water. Stir a few times and take one teaspoons 3-4 times daily, stirring a few times before each dose. Your water solution can be kept covered on the kitchen counter for up to a week.
