Hayfever – it’s time to prevent another miserable Summer

 

 

Hayfever, variously known as a “Seasonal Allergy” or a “Summer Cold”, is only one trigger for what conventional medicine calls “Allergic Rhinitis”. Other triggers include dust, moulds and animal hair. 

 

Characterised by nasal congestion and a runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes, mouth and nose; Hayfever may also cause shortness of breath and other Asthma like symptoms. The conventional approach relies on antihistamines to help reduce sensitivity and steroids to help reduce inflammation and swelling. With both being well known for causing drowsiness, together with a range of other unwanted side effects, it’s not surprising that many people look for a more natural approach. 

 

So, this week, we’re going to take a look at Hayfever and what can be done at home to help prevent another miserable Summer. Let’s start with the obvious question. 

 

 

As the name suggests, Hayfever is caused by a sensitivity to pollens found in the air during the Spring and Summer. These irritate the Mucus Membranes lining the Nose and Respiratory Tract, as well as around the Eyes, causing the telltale Hayfever symptoms. 

 

The time of the year when symptoms first appear – or get worse – gives a clue as to the likely culprit(s). Here in the UK, mid to late April / early May is usually the time that rape starts to flower in earnest. This is followed by pollen from flowering trees and shrubs. Occasionally, pollens from the catkins of very early flowering trees can also be a trigger – such as from Hazel – along with other early spring flowers – even Daffodils – although these tend to be less of an issue for most people, as they don’t produce pollen in such large quantities as plants flowering later in the year. May and June mark the time of grass pollens and those from the various plants flowering along verges. While the end of the June is probably the time most people think of Hayfever occurring, as gardens come into full flower, for many people this is when their symptoms start to clear. 

 

Interestingly, the end of September / October often brings a resurgence of symptoms; although this time the culprit tends to be fungal spores, which are released as the weather becomes cooler and damper. 

 

 

As well as pollen levels, which vary from day to day – and during the day – there are a number of other factors which can make Hayfever worse. 

 

Chemicals sprayed on crops by farmers at this time of year often intensify symptoms, as the already irritated Mucous Membranes react to another irritant. 

 

Sunny days or those when pollution – or ozone – levels are higher tend to exacerbate symptoms. 

 

As do calm, wind free days, which prevent pollens being dispersed further afield. 

 

Rain can be both good news and bad, clearing the air of pollen by washing it out of the sky, while increasing levels nearer the ground. 

 

 

There are no prizes for guessing that staying indoors during the warmest part of the day on sunny – or calm – days, when pollen levels are highest, will help. 

 

An air purifier or humidifier – or even a bowl of water on the side – can help clear the air of annoying particles, while keeping it moist and so less likely to further irritate the Mucous Membranes. 

 

While it may sound old fashioned, slices of cucumber or cold chamomile teabags placed over the Eyes are very soothing. An eye wash of cooled, boiled water with sea salt dissolved into it, can also help. 

 

Another old fashioned tip is steaming to help clear, open up and soothe the airways. Simply half fill a bowl with freshly boiled water, place a towel over your Head to keep in the steam and breathe it in for a few minutes at a time. Remember to keep in the warm immediately afterwards as your airways will be open. Lavender essential oil can be added to give it an extra boost. And make sure you have a hanky to hand! 

 

A quick and easy way to help desensitise yourself to local pollens, is to take a teaspoon of local honey all year round. Many of our Clients do this on an ongoing basis and it does seem to help reduce symptoms the following year. 

 

Identifying your particular triggers can also be very helpful, as many people simply aren’t sure of what they are – and there may be several of them, although there tend to be one or two main culprits. 

 

And this neatly brings us on to an aspect of Hayfever which rarely gets mentioned and we’d like to quickly talk about today. 

 

While it’s not surprising that the focus tends to be on the actual symptoms themselves – and making them stop now (!) – there’s another issue which tends to be overlooked. The tendency – or susceptibility – to Hayfever. 

 

In other words, why does one person have a tendency to Hayfever while others don’t?  

 

And, equally important, why does each person have their own particular set of symptoms which may vary a little – or a lot – from other people? 

 

With the focus tending to be on the symptoms themselves, treatment ONLY occurs when symptoms are apparent – during the Hayfever season – AND is palliative. So, the emphasis is on removing them as far as possible. Once the symptoms have cleared – or the Hayfever season is over – treatment stops. That is until it starts all over again. And, so, the cycle repeats year after year. The symptoms are treated but the cycle isn’t broken. Another miserable Summer beckons. 

 

However, with the Hayfever season only lasting part of the year – thank goodness (!) – a golden opportunity is missed. Using the time when symptoms aren’t apparent to address the deeper issues. The tendency – or susceptibility – to Hayfever. 

 

By doing this, the tendency – or susceptibility – is, at best, completely removed or, at least, reduced and with it, the symptoms. Sometimes, this happens very quickly and easily so the Client is completely free of Hayfever in one Hayfever season, hurrah! Other times, the tendency – or susceptibility – is gradually “chipped away” over several Hayfever seasons with their symptoms improving each year. 

 

By using this two pronged approach, treatment can be both palliative – so far as any remaining symptoms are concerned – AND curative. Not surprisingly, from a Client’s point of view, this approach makes a huge difference. 

 

This is why we tend to use the start of each year as a reminder to do a little pre emptive work with Clients for the coming Hayfever season. Addressing the deeper tendency to Hayfever before symptoms start to appear. We call it the “Hayfever set up” but that’s just a quick way of describing what we’re doing, helping set up the Client up for an improved – or non existent (!) – Hayfever season. 

 

While it’s easier to do it well before the Hayfever season starts, it can also be done once symptoms have appeared, to start helping reduce the tendency to Hayfever and the symptoms. So, as usual, there are always things that can be done to help regardless of the time of year and whether symptoms have already appeared. 

 

After that small detour (!), here are a few other things that can help 

 

Fresh ginger tea with local honey helps to break down congestion and so clear catarrh and mucus. It can also strengthen the Immune System and acts as a natural antihistamine. 

 

Green tea helps blocks the production of histamine and is one of the best homemade remedies for building the Immune System. 

 

Peppermint and Nettle tea can both help reduce congestion. 

 

Our old friend, pineapple, contains bromelain to help clear mucus and high levels of Vitamin C to support the Immune System. The juice, mixed with warm water – about 50 / 50 – makes a very soothing drink or, alternatively, you can eat fresh pineapple, including the core which contains the highest levels of bromelain. 

 

 

Euphrasia, also known as “Eyebright” is our number one off the shelf herb for Hayfever. Not only can it be taken in water to help reduce the symptoms of Hayfever, it’s also great for soothing sore eyes in an eye wash. 

 

Luffa Complex, by Vogel, is a combination of herbs which can help reduce the symptoms of Hayfever. 

 

 

Vitamin C helps support the Immune System and clear mucus. 

 

Fatty Acids together with Vitamin D, can both help to lower the amounts of histamine produced by the body after exposure to an allergen, in this case, pollen. Although additional research is needed, it appears that a diet high in fatty acids may help decrease the incidence of Hayfever. 

 

Quercetin is a bioflavonoid which has been shown to prevent immune cells from manufacturing and releasing histamine. It’s naturally found in foods such as apples, garlic and onions. 

 

As already mentioned, Bromelain, from our old friend pineapple, helps reduce and clear mucus as well as being an anti inflammatory and helping soothe irritated mucous membranes lining the respiratory tract. 

 

As always, the choice is yours.