HAY FEVER HELP!

After this long winter, many of us are welcoming the end of March with open arms. We’re eager for the sun, warmer temperatures, and the longer days signaling that spring has finally arrived. Unfortunately, for many of us, this time of year also signals the arrival of seasonal allergies.

The dreaded Oil Seed Rape at
Cowthorpe last year! 

Seasonal allergies can make life miserable for those who suffer from them, causing itchy eyes, runny noses, and constant sneezing fits. These reactions are often caused by the explosion of pollen produced by budding trees, flowers and moulds, causing our bodies to produce histamines that “attack” the pollen and clear it out of our systems.

The conventional treatment for spring allergies consist of anti-histamines to calm our overworked immune systems, as well as steroid nose sprays to help clear the nasal passages of inflammation and any offending particles. However, these can cause side effects, including marked drowsiness, lethargy, headaches, tremors, arrhythmia & shortness of breath, which won’t make you feel any better.

Thankfully, there are a number of natural remedies you can turn to when the pollen count gets too high to handle:

Barriers: This is similar to the old fashioned way of plugging your nose with vaseline! The pollen gets trapped in the barrier cream in the outside area of the nasal passages & prevents the allergens entering the body in the first place!

Saline Solutions/Neti Pot: With allergies, there is nasal obstruction and inflammation. When normal clearance of mucus becomes obstructed, it leads to retention of mucus within the sinus cavities. Saline nasal sprays or nasal irrigation (which looks like a weapon of torture to me!) can help free your nasal passages & lessen inflammation of the mucous membranes. This all-natural solution allows allergy sufferers to wash allergens out of nasal passages with a saline solution made from lukewarm distilled water. Because the active ingredients are simply gravity and salt water, there is no risk of dependency or overdose, so the process can be repeated as many times as necessary. 

There are also several 'natural' saline solutions that you can buy in spray form for easier use & they can be carried in the pocket too. 

Stinging Nettles: Stinging nettle, a common weed in a large part of the United States, acts as a natural anti-histamine without the harsh side effects of many prescription or OTC allergy medication. You can take it as a capsule or drink it as a tea. If you’re handling the plant itself, just make sure to wear gloves—it isn’t called “stinging” for nothing!

Probiotics: Allergies are a result of your immune system attacking pollen as if it is a virus or bacteria, and becoming quickly overloaded. By strengthening your immune system with probiotics, you are helping to prevent it from becoming overwhelmed when the pollen count explodes.

Qu-Chi Band: As quoted many times last year, I always use this band & can get away without using anything else on most days of the summer now. The Qu-Chi band apples pressure to the L1-11 point on the arm. Accupuncturists believe that this point can be used to help alleviate symptoms of allergic rhinitis.  

Eat Local Honey: Buzzzzz…. While this may not have scientific backing, I know many people that have had success with this method. The idea is to ingest the types of pollen that make you have an allergic reaction when inhaled, allowing your body to slowly develop immunity. Remember that the more local the honey is, the better, as it’s more likely to match the allergens you experience on a daily basis. 'The Good Life' in Wetherby sell several local varieties & the lovely 'Leggy Jane' is setting up her own hives too, so hopefully she will be able to supply you too next summer!