Summer brings longer and warmer days, sunshine and holidays. But for some, it also brings the irritating symptoms of Hayfever. Many dread the warmer weather, knowing that it will be accompanied by a runny nose and sniffles, sneezing fits and itchy, watery eyes. Antihistamine medications often produce their own set of uncomfortable symptoms – a dry, stuffy nose with a bunged up feeling. Complementary therapies can bring substantial relief from Hayfever symptoms and our quick guide provides an overview to what these therapies have to offer.
Hayfever is an allergic reaction to pollen, which occurs during the spring or summer months. Exposure to pollen causes an increase in IgE antibodies, which cause the mast cells (specialised white blood cells) to secrete histamine and leukotrienes, which trigger an inflammatory response resulting in itchy, streaming eyes and nose. Some suffer all year round, the condition then becomes known as perennial allergic rhinitis, which may or may not be caused by pollen (but can also be treated using the recommendations below).
We asked experts in Naturopathy, Herbal Medicine and Nutritional Therapy from the College Of Naturopathic Medicine to advise us how each would treat the condition. These holistic therapies treat the person as a whole, rather than separate out a particular body system.
Nutritional Therapy
The Nutritional Therapist would begin by reducing the overall allergic load. We are exposed to countless potential allergens every day and once the allergic load passes a certain threshold, this triggers the inflammatory response. The aim would be to reduce all sources of allergens including pollen, animal dander, dust and exhaust fumes.
Allergic reactions like Hayfever are often accompanied by low stomach acid resulting in poor breakdown of food particles and the passage of larger particles through into the intestines. Leaky gut is also frequently found – a condition where the gut wall integrity is compromised. This allows large particles and allergens to cross the intestinal membrane into the blood stream, initiating the allergic response. These two conditions may be caused by stress, overuse of certain medications (eg aspirin, NSAIDs, antacids), sugar, refined grains, dairy or wheat.
A nutritional therapist would recommend:
- Avoiding processed foods, food additives and dairy, which are potential allergens.
- Avoid sugar, refined grains and wheat, which encourage leaky gut and impair immune function.
- Before meals eat a salad of bitter green leaves or drink half a glass of water with a squeeze of lemon juice to stimulate stomach acid production.
- Increase intake of fruit and vegetables as a source of vitamin C, antioxidants and bioflavinoids, which act as natural antihistamines and anti-inflammatories. A high intake of vitamin C is essential for correct immune function. Aim for 9 servings of fruit and vegetables a day.
- Include onions, garlic and oily fish as natural anti-inflammatories.
NATUROPATHY
The naturopath views hayfever as an allergy often associated with weak adrenal, immune and digestive function. The onset of hayfever is usually a sign that the gut may be leaky. This is a very common condition brought on by overuse of antibiotics, a high sugar diet or too much stress. The adrenals may also be fatigued which destabilises our blood sugars making us moody and irritable with lowered energy and food cravings. Treatment for hayfever involves improving the overall health of all of these systems through improving nutrition, reducing stress and increasing exercise. Hayfever involves the overproduction of mast cells (histamine producing cells), vitamin c can help stabilise these cells. Take 500mg of vitamin C every 4 hours up to bowel tolerance level (loose stool) in acute hayfever. Take bioflavinoids (e.g. quercetin, catechin and hisperidin (2-3 grams daily)). These are natural antihistamines and are strongly anti-allergenic. Take a probiotic- these are bowel microflora, which help the immune system. There is also a complex homeopathic remedy by Heel (luffa), which stimulates the body’s own self-healing mechanism, it can be taken orally or as a nasal spray.
HERBAL MEDICINE
The herbalist would focus on two separate aspects of hayfever. The first is to identify the source of the hayfever. Is stress and adrenal fatigue a factor? Is there a problem with the digestive system? Is the body overloaded with toxins? Is the biliary system sluggish? They would recommend specific herbal tinctures or teas depending on what they find.
The second focus would be on relieving the specific symptoms of hayfever.
- Eyebright (Euphrasia) relieves itchy, watery, irritated eyes
- Elderflower (Sambuccus) is an excellent anticattarhal; it builds the blood and cleanses the system.
- Mullein (Verbascum) helps heal the mucous membranes both in the lining of the stomach if there are digestive problems and in the upper respiratory pathways.
- Steam inhalations of 2 drops of lavender, 2 drops of eucalyptus, 2 drops of peppermint in a bowel of boiling water can greatly relieve the congestion of hayfever.
Adequate rest, relaxation, sunshine and exercise all help soothe symptoms.
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