“Aitchoo”, “Bless you”. I remember as a youth (not all that long ago), sitting exams in a hot, stuffy hall with a hot, stuffy nose from summer hay fever. Although antihistamine tablets provided some relief from the streaming nose, drowsiness was an unavoidable side-effect and I would end up being between a rock and a hard-place. If only I had known about homeopathy then.
Hay fever is a result of the body’s reaction to pollen.
The pollen can come not just from flowers, but trees and grasses too, making the hay fever season, for some, last for months. The body reacts to allergens but trying to rid them from the system, histamine is produced and the mucus membranes are stimulated, springing into action, causing watery eyes and runny nose which is our way of flushing them out. Short of staying home all the time with all the windows shut, there is little chance of avoiding contact with pollen.
The seemingly relentless symptoms can be exhausting whilst we seem to be constantly blowing our noses, sneezing and rubbing our eyes. Knock-on effects can be a sore nose from all that wiping and for many women, by the end of the hay fever season you’ve simply given up wearing eye make-up as it’s simply rubbed off after a few minutes outside.
Here are a few tips:
Sunglasses can help protect your eyes from pollen.
Washing the face with cool water can provide temporary relief and may flush some pollen away.
If wearing make-up then I would recommend wearing more natural/organic brands so if you do end up rubbing mascara into your eyes for example, you know that it is going to be fairly harmless and far less of an irritant.
There are some products available, which can be smeared just inside the nasal passages, trapping the pollen grains as they enter the nose and stop them going any further.
During the hay fever season try to avoid other triggers of these symptoms such as aerosol sprays, cigarette smoke and any food intolerances that may exacerbate your symptoms.
Research and trials have proven homeopathy to be successful in the treatment of hay fever. The first approach to consider is a generic treatment for general hay fever symptoms. The patient could take either a tissue salt combination or pollen as an homeopathic preparation (available from some health stores and homeopathic pharmacies).
The second, more in depth approach is to consider your individual symptoms. While one person may find their eyes streaming with water during this season another may find their eyes incredibly itchy and red, but dry. This would point a homeopath to two entirely different remedies. Below is a list of a few remedies with their typical symptoms that are commonly used in the treatment of hay fever.
Allium Cepa – streaming eyes and nose, clear discharge which irritates the upper lip. The patient will feel better outside in the fresh air.
Arsenicum Album – runny nose with burning discharge. Patient may feel chilly and anxious.
Euphrasia – particularly useful for swollen and irritated eyes with burning tears (diluted Euphrasia tincture can also be used as an eyebath).
Natrum Muriaticum – violent sneezing, watery eyes and nose.
Sabadilla – Itchiness inside the nose and spasms of sneezing.
Wyethia – extreme itchiness at the back of the nose and on the roof of the mouth.
Thirdly and most importantly, the above approaches are more temporary remedial ways of treating hay fever. For a deeper-acting cure for your hay fever symptoms I would recommend having a proper consultation with a homeopath for constitutional treatment.
Enjoy the springtime.
Categories: Uncategorized
I do like all the preventative advice here, and must say, I’ve found the Hay Max aloe vera cream to be good. It’s an organic, drug-free pollen barrier balm and you smear it at around the entrance to your nose and it stops the stuff from getting in! It’s been easy to use and effective, even if I’ve had to wear make up – I just poke it just inside my beak! LOLOL… TS x
Thanks Kerry – some great pointers! This year I’m making my own version of HaymAX ( No offence to haymax, but if I can save myself a few bob I will do!). I’m also using a Qu Chi band, which seems to be great! Which tip do you find to be the most helpful for yourself? (or don’t you get hayfever yourself?)
Hello. I’m glad you found the article interesting, thanks for your comments. Rachelle, yes, I did used to be a hay-fever sufferer, but thanks to a course of homeopathic treatment I don’t tend to suffer now. I have increased my intake of honey in the last couple of years, which may also have helped. I only use organic make-up and beauty products which don’t irritate my skin or my eyes. As you say HayMax and Badger Balm are great barriers, and I am interested in your homemade version. I’m not familiar with the Qu Chi band but will investigate….
Really grateful for this post, Kerry. Thanks!