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 Hay fever is an allergic reaction of the lining of the nose and sinuses. It is usually caused by breathing in airborne pollens from certain grasses, weeds and trees. Some people experience hay fever constantly and this usually occurs because of allergy to animal dander or the dust mites that are present in every home. Other triggers for hay fever include fungus spores, feathers, powders and pesticides.
Approximately 20% of the population experiences hay fever. The symptoms of hay fever include sneezing, runny or congested nose, itching of the nose, puffy, itchy, red eyes and a scratchy throat. The symptoms of hay fever are often at their worst in the mornings or on windy days. Although the symptoms of colds and hay fever are similar,
the causes are distinctly different. Almost half of all colds occur when we come in contact with rhinoviruses whereas hay fever is simply a misdirected attempt by the body to deal with common substances such as pollens, mould, and dust mites that the body sees as dangerous foreign invaders. For some people, these ordinary substances cause specialised cells ("mast" cells) in the eyes and nasal passages to release histamine. The histamine is supposed to fight off the foreign substances, but it actually inflames and irritate mucous membranes, causing hay fever symptoms (allergic rhinitis, in medical terms). Unfortunately, traditional medicine can only offer temporary solutions, and even those have drawbacks. Over-the-counter antihistamines, for example, cause drowsiness. While that may not sound especially harmful, a recent study reported in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that people who operated a machine that simulates driving after taking a popular antihistamine were more impaired than those who were given alcohol before the test. Immunity First Seasonal allergies are best tamed by treating the source of the problem, rather than trying to suppress symptoms with pharmaceuticals. This is where alternative and herbal remedies enter the picture. Many allergy sufferers find that by strengthening their immune systems with vitamins, minerals and herbs, they are less vulnerable to allergies. A good diet, moderate daily exercise and adequate rest are essential to a healthy immune system, as is finding an effective way to deal with stress. When it comes to supplements, OPCs (oligomeric proanthocyanidins) are some of the best immune builders available. Not only are they proven to be powerhouse antioxidants, with the ability to enhance the effectiveness of vitamins C and E, but studies have shown that certain OPCs are as much as 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E. Yet the thing that really makes OPCs ideal for allergy sufferers is their ability to decrease production of irritating histamines. Typically, the recommended dosage of OPCs for combating allergies is 25 mg for each 25 pounds of body weight (if you weigh 125 pounds, for example, you would take five 25 mg capsules or tablets), taken throughout the day for 10 days, then decreased to 50 mg daily for maintenance. Ginseng is another highly regarded immune booster, and, like OPCs, Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng) has an added advantage for allergy sufferers. It contains a substance that suppresses part of the allergic response known as platelet activating factor (PAF). Typically, an effective dose is two 1,000 mg capsules three times per day, or as a tincture, three drops in an eight-ounce glass of water three times daily. After eight weeks, stop taking ginseng for two or three weeks before resuming these dosages. Ginseng is not recommended for pregnant women or for those with high blood pressure. Bromelain Pineapples provide us with this enzyme, which offers a number of health benefits, including reduced inflammation and swelling. Fresh pineapple or pineapple juice are obviously excellent sources of bromelain. As for supplements, some experts recommend 250 to 500 mg taken three times daily, while others say it takes as much as 1,000 mg three times per day to relieve allergy symptoms. Be aware that Germany's Commission E, which has done extensive testing with herbal remedies, says bromelain should not be taken for more than eight to 10 days continuously. Vitamin C Although vitamin C's claim to fame comes from its cold-fighting abilities, it is also a proven antihistamine with the ability to energize the white blood cells that ward off infections. This makes it especially useful for allergy sufferers who find that their hay fever often evolves into an ear or sinus infection. Since our bodies can't store vitamin C, we need to replenish supplies throughout the day, ideally with either a buffered or esterfied form, both of which are easier on the stomach. Allergy treatment experts often suggest starting with a dose of 500 mg taken three times daily. If that amount is well tolerated, raising the dosage to 750 or 1,000 mg three times daily can help reduce symptoms even further. Bioflavonoids Although not as well known as vitamin C, the group of substances classified as bioflavonoids is a potent weapon when it comes to allergies. Not only do bioflavonoids increase vitamin C's effectiveness, but at least one of them-quercetin-also lowers release of histamines by as much as 96 percent, according to a recent Japanese study. Fruits and vegetables are rich sources of bioflavonoids, and quercetin is also found in onions, garlic, the spice turmeric, as well in the white pulp under citrus skin. Unlike vitamin C, which works its histamine-reducing magic quickly, bioflavonoids require time to build up in the body. Because of that, supplements should be taken at least two weeks before, as well as during, allergy season. Bioflavonoids are available in combination products with vitamin C, in combination with each other and individually. For citrus bioflavonoids combinations, recommended dosage is generally 1,000 to 3,000 mg daily. For quercetin alone, try 200 to 400 mg three times daily. Calcium And Magnesium These two relaxing minerals are not only necessary for maintaining good health in general, but also highly recommended for alleviating allergy symptoms. Interestingly, many people are deficient in both calcium and magnesium, especially if they have poor diets or are avoiding dairy products. agnesium is found in meat, fish, nuts, black beans and molasses, while non-dairy sources of calcium include green leafy vegetables, tofu, salmon and sardines, especially with the bones. For allergy relief, consider calcium supplements of 1,000 mg throughout the day and a daily dose of 1,000 mg of magnesium. Licorice Although it has been used since ancient times the world over, the herb licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) is now being seriously studied as a potential remedy for a number of ailments, including ulcers, cancer, asthma and allergies. The preferred form of licorice is known as deglycyrrhizinated (DGL); it is available as a tea, tincture, tablets and capsules. Up to 3 grams of DGL can be taken for short periods of time. Forget about "licorice" confectionary, though. Most often, it is actually anise and won't help your allergies at all. Although licorice has a reputation for raising blood pressure, research shows it takes a considerable amount, as much as 100 grams, to make a noticeable difference. Still, anyone with high blood pressure should consult a physician before taking licorice supplements. It is also not recommended for anyone with liver or kidney problems or for pregnant women. Even healthy people should not take licorice for more than four to six weeks without consulting a health-care practitioner. Stinging Nettle The inflammation-fighting herb known as stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) has been used since ancient times to treat everything from asthma to urinary tract difficulties. In 1990, a study in Germany found that stinging nettle relieved symptoms of seasonal allergies better than a placebo, a fact supported by other research. To prevent symptoms, this herb needs to be taken for two to four weeks before allergy season begins. Start with 250 mg of freeze-dried stinging nettle leaves twice a day, and increase gradually to 500 mg twice daily, if necessary. Homeopathic Remedies To The Rescue The theory behind homeopathy is a simple one. Expose the body to minute amounts of a substance like the one it over-reacts to as a way of activating healing. Although homeopathy has met with skepticism in the past, recent research is now proving that it works quite well. In Scotland, for example, scientists found that patients taking homeopathic remedies improved as much as six times more than patients who were given a placebo. And just last year, another Scottish study found that subjects taking a proprietary homeopathic allergy product had significantly fewer overall symptoms, as well as almost one-third more improvement in nasal air flow when compared to the placebo group. Homeopathic remedies for hay fever are available in combination formulas or individually. The key to success is pairing your specific symptoms with the right remedy. For example, teary eyes and burning nasal discharge are best treated with homeopathic Allium cepa, derived from red onions. If eyes are teary, burning and also swollen, Euphrasia, an extract of the herb eyebright, is a good choice. And for sore throat, sneezing and watery eyes, try Sabadilla, especially if you feel mentally foggy or dull. Allergy sufferers also find relief by avoiding dairy, meat and/or wheat-based foods when symptoms are at their worst. Don't do away with all three at the same time, though. Instead, try four or five days without dairy, for example, at first. If your symptoms improve, include them in your diet again. The same is true for wheat. If you can avoid red meat for a few months, you might also have allergy symptoms. Whatever you do, though, don't resign yourself to living with the discomfort caused by seasonal allergies. There is a wealth of remedies available for easing the symptoms, and once that happens, you'll actually welcome spring and fall again. |
