Health Advice

The Natural Approach To Hayfever - Advice From Dee Atkinson

Allergies on the Rise
It may seem like the middle of winter, but the first few weeks of April signal the beginning of the hayfever and allergy season. Every year I seem more and more people who have never had any allergy problem, suddenly develop symptoms. The usual symptoms are itchy eyes, runny nose, sneezing, even sore throats and headaches. More recently I have been seeing a big increase in skin related allergies developing in the spring.

I have a lot of theories on why this is happening - why our immune systems are being more challenged and on why they are breaking down more regularly. Everything from our diet with increased use of pesticides, fertilizers and chemicals in food production to the chemicals in our home all challenge our immune system. When an already stressed immune system is faced by further challenges such as high pollen counts (made worse by city pollution and over production of certain crops such as oil seed rape) there can be a breakdown and allergy symptoms develop. This often happens to people who have never suffered from any allergy symptoms before.

Start Treatment Early
Once an allergy situation has developed it can be difficult to treat and you are often left trying to manage the situation, rather than cure it. Allergy has a bit of a domino affect on the body; you find that you start off sensitive to one thing and before you know it you are sensitive to a whole range of things. If you are a hayfever sufferer the best way to get on top of the problem is to start treatment before the problem actually develops.

Your Hayfever Battle Plan
Over the last few years I have developed a three part allergy and hayfever battle plan that can reduce, if not stop your symptoms.

1. A few weeks before your symptoms would usually develop, plan to cut dairy products out of you diet. Dairy can make any allergy you suffer worse and will cause mucus production, making runny nose and blocked sinuses worse. Try and be very strict, cutting all cows milk products and instead using goats and sheeps cheese, soya milk and dairy free spreads. Remember that milk chocolate is a dairy product, and dark chocolate is dairy free.

Hayfever

2. Start taking a teaspoon of local honey each day. Honey, which is made from pollen almost acts homoeopathically helping your body to build up a resistance to pollens and grasses. Local honeys will be specific to the pollens in your area.

3. Simple herbal remedies can be used to ease allergy symptom. Nettle has anti histamine like action and will cut down the bodies response to allergy, Chamomile will soothe mucus membranes and Eyebright has an anti allergy action. Available pre-blended as Nettle Blend or buy the dried herbs and make up your own herbal tea. Often you can take these as herbal tea and drunk regularly they will help to control symptoms. If your eyes are itching try using a c old chamomile tea bag as an eye compress.

Skin Allergy and Heat Rash
If you suffer from skin allergies or heat rashes (also a form of allergy) try cutting dairy out of your diet for a few months to see if it helps. A tea made out of dandelion leaf will ease heat rash and swollen ankles and reduce skin allergies. Make sure you only use unperfumed products on your skin and try moisturising with Starflower Cream.

Professional Herbal Advice
If you are taking medication from your GP, are pregnant, breastfeeding or have other long-standing health issues or severe allergies, I would recommend booking a course of treatment with one of our professional medical herbalists - find your nearest Napiers clinic here.

Our fully qualified practitioners will ensure that your treatment is safe and is tailored to your individual requirements. There are many herbs that can be used safely for allergies in pregnancy, breastfeeding, by young children and by those on prescribed medication however we always recommend in these situations that you seek professional advice.

For more information on our clinics and stores please call your nearest branch of Napiers.
British & Foreign Medical Herbalists - Established 1860