Natural therapies for hayfever relief

Hayfever, technically defined as seasonal allergic rhinitis, occurs through seasonal allergies to things such as pollens in the air. The classic sneezing, watery eyes and runny nose brought on by hayfever can be enormously inconvenient, setting on spontaneously and severely when you least expect it. These symptoms appear due to the production of antibodies as an immune response, working to ward of infection from allergens in the air, dander and dust, air pollution, stress, or unwelcome toxins running through your system, but really just cause a whole lot of misery and discomfort. Thankfully, there are ways in which natural therapies can alleviate symptoms and help you ease the sneeze this spring!

Herbal Remedies

Herbal remedies can be applied to hayfever to perform a number of functions with their anti-inflammatory, soothing, healing and decongesting properties. They may also help to fight off infections that may have arisen, detox the system, relieve stress and normalise a hyperreactive immune system.

• Perilla seed, a natural antihistamine, originally comes from China but is now used worldwide for its anti-inflammatory and immune-neutralising properties.
• Locrice soothes and acts as an antibacterial agent, also neutralising immune function and lowering inflammation.
• Eyebright is great for hayfever due to its affinity to nasal and eye mucous membranes, helping to alleviate symptoms.

Acupuncture

Generally, acupuncture serves to renew balance and unlock energy and so enhance the health of different bodily organs. This healing principle is applied to specific hayfever symptoms and is known to be effective in significantly reducing hayfever symptom severity for as long as 12 weeks after treatment. See your local practitioner for treatment that works on your specific condition.

Homeopathy

The energetic medicine of Homeopathy involves administering tiny amounts of a huge range of natural substances to rebalance the body. Here are a few homeopathic remedies known to alleviate hayfever symptoms:

• Arsenicum treats excessive sneezing with profuse acrid mucus and blocked nose, especially for symptoms that worsen with changing weather patterns.

• Sabadilla is used for watery discharge, sneezing and sinus pain.
• Ambrosia can be effective in treating all typical hayfever cases.

Mediation and Relaxation

By managing stress and being aware of emotional triggers, you can help to manage hayfever symptoms. Meditation is a fantastic way to quiet the unproductive noise of the mind, find your centre and release undue stress. A simple candle meditation, for example, involves sitting with a straight back and watching a candle flame burn, replacing your focal worries with the steady nature of the flame.

There are many types of meditation, so it’s best to explore these and decide which works best for your relaxation needs and lifestyle.

Anti-allergy Nutrition

Reducing the amount of inflammation-inducing foods you consume will help lessen your body’s inflammatory response to allergens and reduce the severity of symptoms. Consider swapping refined sugars and carbohydrates for wholegrains, and replacing a high consumption of trans and saturated fats for unsaturated fats. Lean meats, good quality olive or coconut oil for cooking, and fish are encouraged alternatives.

Eating a wide range of nutrient-dense wholefoods, reducing coffee and tea consumption and drinking at least two litres of water each day will also equip your body to efficiently eliminate toxins and so lessen the frequency and severity of hayfever symptoms.