What good natural hay fever remedies are there?
My Fiance suffers from hay fever, she takes a spray for it but it’s still really bad. What else can she do?
It is hard to pinpoint the exact cause of respiratory allergies, however, heredity does seem to play a role, as do environmental factors. Some evidence suggests that those who were breastfed as babies are less likely than those who were bottle fed to develop allergies.
Symptoms of hay fever are partly a result of inflammation that, in turn, is activated by the immune system. Because of this, a properly functioning immune system is crucial in the treatment of seasonal allergies.
Useful Herbs
CHAMOMMILE Tea is used to reduce duration of hay fever attacks.
EPHEDRA Relieves congestion & bronchial spasms.
EUCALYPTUS Used in steam inhalation to ease congestion.
EYEBRIGHT Tincture or capsules reduce hay fever symptoms.
GINGER Reduces inflammation, antimicrobial.
LICORICE ROOT Reduces inflammation, antiviral, antibacterial.
NETTLE Extract acts as an expectorant, reduces sinus inflammation.
ROOIBOS Has antihistamine properties. A tea is sometimes helpful in relieving symptoms.
ST. JOHN’S WORT Capsules are used to relieve sinus headache.
There are also some homeopathic remedies that are very helpful on relieving symptoms of hay fever.
Homeopathic Treatment for Hay Fever:
Allium cepa: Indications for this remedy include watery eyes and a clear nasal discharge that irritates the upper lip, along with sneezing and a tickling cough. The person usually is thirsty, and feels worse indoors and when rooms are warm, and better in fresh air.
Arsenicum album: A burning, watery, runny nose with a stuffy, tickling feeling during allergy attacks suggests a need for this remedy. Swelling below the eyes and a wheezy cough are common. The person may feel chilly, restless, anxious, and is often very tired.
Euphrasia: This remedy can be helpful if the eyes are swollen and irritated with acrid tears or pus. The nose also runs, but with a blander discharge. Symptoms are often worse in the daytime and worse from warmth, and the eyes may hurt from too much light. The person can also have a cough in the daytime, which improves at night.
Ferrum phosphoricum: This is a very useful remedy in the early stages of any inflammation. Taken when allergy symptoms start, it often slows or stops an episode. Symptoms include runny eyes with a burning or gritty feeling, facial flushing, watery nose, and short, hard, tickling cough.
Gelsemium: A tired, droopy feeling during allergies with a flushed and heavy-feeling face suggest a need for this remedy. A sensation of dryness or of swollen membranes may be felt inside the nose—or the nose may run with irritating watery discharge, with the person sneezing frequently. Aching in the back of the head and neck, a trembling feeling, and chills along the spine are often seen when a person needs Gelsemium.
Natrum muriaticum: Allergy attacks with sneezing, watery eyes, clear nasal discharge that resembles egg white, and a loss of taste and smell will all suggest a need for this remedy. The person may have dark circles under the eyes, be thirsty, feel withdrawn and sad, and act irritable if comforted.
Nux vomica: If the nose is alternately stuffed up (especially outdoors or at night) and running (indoors and in the daytime), this remedy may bring relief. Other symptoms include a teasing cough, a scraped or tickly feeling in the throat, and headache. A person who needs this remedy often feels impatient, irritable, and chilly.
Sabadilla: Long paroxysms of sneezing, itching in the nose with irritating runny discharge, a feeling of a lump in the throat, and watery eyes will all suggest a need for this remedy. The person may feel nervous during allergy attacks, and trying to concentrate can bring on drowsiness or headache.
Wyethia: Intolerable itching felt on the roof of the mouth and behind the nose—sometimes extending into the throat and ears—strongly suggests the use of this remedy. Everything in the person’s head feels dry and irritated, but the nose may still be runny.
