BY SIMONE J. SMITH
ahh ahh choo!!!!!
Sigh!
AHH AHH CHOO!!!!!
You rub your itchy, watery eyes, your nose is running, you can’t stop sneezing, coughing, and you notice a rash on your arm.
It’s that dreaded time of year again for our hay fever sufferers. Hay fever is a common allergy, sometimes called seasonal allergic rhinitis and it’s caused by the immune system overreacting to pollen floating in the air. As the weather gets warmer, the pollen count grows! If you are one that suffers from sneezing, runny nose, congestion, coughing, itchy throat/mouth/nose/ears, excessive mucus, red and/or watery eyes, postnasal drip, headaches or asthma, this one’s for you!
Allergies are a reaction of the immune system to a foreign substance, called an allergen, that is usually harmless to the body. The symptoms of allergies can vary depending on the type of allergen and the severity of the reaction.
Now, most of us run to the drug store and find the strongest allergy medication we can, but there are those who would prefer a more natural way to deal with our dreaded allergy symptoms. I received an email from a consortium of nurses, and in the email, they presented a list of suggestions that I want to share with the community.
Before we go through this list, I want to ensure that these suggestions are only recommendations, and you should consult a trusted health professional before you try anything. With that said, let’s see how we can help you end your suffering. Okay one more sneeze.
AHH AHH CHOO!!!!!
The A-Z Hay Fever Guide
Acupuncture – helps balance the immune response and has a positive effect on alleviating hay fever symptoms. “Stimulating the Qu-chi acupuncture point on your elbow can improve the natural energy level so your body doesn’t react when it comes into contact with pollen,” says acupuncture expert Andrew Broch.
Biotin – one of the B vitamins helps maintain healthy mucous membranes of the: nose, throat, sinuses and tear ducts. Foods such as fish, egg yolks, avocados, green leafy vegetables and nuts are good sources of Biotin.
Bromelain – is an enzyme found in papaya and pineapple. Natural healers consider bromelain to be effective at improving breathing by reducing swelling.
Carotenoids are naturally occurring pigments in plants, which act as an antioxidant and helps reduce inflammation – can be found in foods such as carrots, apricots, pumpkin, sweet potato.
Change your air filters regularly both in home and in your car.
Change your clothes when coming in from outside and shower before bed to rinse the day’s pollen off your skin and hair. Keep your hair tied up when outside preventing it from getting into your eyes, mouth or nose.
Cold compress to irritated eyes
Consuming local honey will expose you to the naturally occurring pollen in your area, helping your body to form a tolerance. You can further add honey with freshly squeezed lemon to a cup of hot water – enjoy it as a tea.
Dehumidifiers to control the growth of mildew and molds
Ditch the booze – Alcoholic drinks contain histamines. If you really want to enjoy a social drink, alcohol such as gin or vodka are low in histamines.
Ditch the dairy – Reduce dairy intake if the production of mucus is bothersome.
Drink plenty of hydrating fluids such as water
Burn essential oils such as: eucalyptus, lavender, frankincense, oregano and peppermint as they have natural antihistamine and /or antimicrobial and/or anti-inflammatory properties.
Exercise at the beginning or at the end of the day when the pollen count is lower
Garlic! Who doesn’t love garlic? Garlic helps block the production of histamine, acts as a decongestant and has anti-inflammatory properties helping to reduce hay fever symptoms.
Herbal teas have natural antihistamine and/or anti-inflammatory effects such as: nettle, licorice, green, chamomile, elderflower, ginger, peppermint, anise – sip throughout the day.
Keep your home clean! Wiping dust away from surfaces with moistened tissues instead of a cloth helps to avoid the transfer of pollen to other parts of the house.
Vacuum your home often using a HEPA filter. Exchange carpets for hard flooring.
Oregano – powerful antioxidant with natural antibiotic and antifungal properties; may help lower cholesterol and inhibit cancer cell growth as well. Can be used as a spice when cooking, purchased in pill or capsule supplement form or used as an essential oil.
**oregano oil extract is not generally recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. **
Saline nasal rinses or ‘netti pots’ are great to flush out allergens, thin mucus, curb post nasal drip and clean bacteria from your nasal passages. Do NOT use plain water because it has a different pH than your body and will feel irritating. Remember to change the sterile solutions daily as bacteria can build up if left standing and become contaminated which can cause life threatening infections! Mix up only what you will use for the day and clean your irrigation device!
Spirulina — a blue-green algae — demonstrated antiallergic protective effects towards allergic rhinitis.
Steam inhalation – hot water alone or in combination with honey, lemon or your favorite essential oil.
Turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory properties which can help to ease nasal congestion.
Vitamin C is a known natural antihistamine and can be found in oranges, lemons and grapefruit.
Vitamin D – that sunshine vitamin! deficiency is linked to the development of allergies and autoimmune diseases.
Wash your bedsheets often, more than normal in the spring, summer and fall months when pollen is at its highest and use protective ‘allergenic’ dust covers for your mattress and pillows.
If you have a pet at home, keeping them clean and brushed out daily will allow you to keep loving them. Brush them outside before they enter your home and wipe them down with a damp towel.
Good luck, and if you try any of these, let us know how they worked for you.
