Ask the Experts

by Lisa Barnes LCPH, MARH
Registered Homeopath

In Britain alone there are ten million hay fever sufferers. For some, the only symptoms may be no more than a runny nose or itchy eyes, but for others the summer can be debilitating, with streaming itching eyes, frequent sneezing, copious nasal discharge, alternating with congestion. There is a need to stay indoors, unable to enjoy the outside and fresh air. Hayfever affects not only the tissue of the nose, throat and eyes; it also affects the immune system, and causes great suffering. Although, strictly speaking, hay fever is a seasonal complaint, the term is generally taken to include any allergic reaction involving the lining of the nose.

Hayfever is triggered when the body comes into contact with environmental factors, such as pollens or allergens and the reaction of the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, and airways to seasonal pollens and other everyday allergens, including dust, feathers, animal hairs and environmental pollutants. When this happens, the body releases large number of antibodies to fight the perceived allergen but these antibodies also produce histamine which causes swelling and irritation to the bodies own tissues.

Having a strong immune system plays a huge part in treating hay fever, and this is one of the reasons Homeopathy has such a success rate. It is our individual defensive response to an invasion of pollen that will affect the sensitive immune system, and an imbalance may result.

Hayfever sufferers can do much to help themselves by modifying their diet as allergens are composed of protein molecules, which are larger than the normal proteins when absorbed in the blood. For this reason it is essential that suffers carefully consider dietary regime, as chemical additives and preservatives and a high protein diet may exacerbate the problem. You should be sparing with animal protein and salt, while at the same time introducing plenty of honey and fruit into your diet. Starchy, sugary foods should be reduced to the bare minimum and no dairy products should be consumed at all.

Vitamin C not only supports the immune system, but also helps the body defend itself against the consequences of having too much histamine released. A strong immune system will help protect from allergic reaction, including hay fever, and Echinacea will support your own natural defences.

It is possible to purchase many 'general' homeopathic remedies over the counter (as listed); these should be taken at the first sign of the symptoms, up to every fifteen minutes, when the symptoms are at their worse. But it is more advisable to consult a homeopath directly, especially if you are prone to allergies, in order to receive a more specific remedy. With hayfever cases it is necessary to work on a deeper level, which cannot be achieved with a self-prescription. Without treatment to eradicate the underlying susceptibility the hay fever will return the following season. Long-term homeopathic treatment can reduce the body's allergic responses to these pollens or allergens so that eventually hay fever is no longer a problem.

Some of our main homeopathic remedies are;

Allium Cepa – Itching is marked, of the nose and eyes, with a very profuse clear nasal discharge, which is acid and excoriating.
Arsenicum Album – Thin burning and excoriating watery discharge, with sneezing and catarrh, worse after midnight, and restlessness.
Euphrasia – Your eyes are worse than your nose. They are burning and swollen, with a sensation of dust in them. Very red and inflamed.
Kali Carb – Severe hay fever, worse in the morning and evening. Symptoms include a clear or yellow thick discharge, sore throat, sneezing, and watering of the eyes. Swelling of the eyelids is characteristic.
Mixed Pollen – this is very useful in late summer, early autumn.

For further information, please contact Lisa Barnes on info@thehealthlounge.co.uk.

In Britain alone there are over 10 million hayfever suffers. Tree pollen is a cause of hayfever early in the season, with grass pollen responsible for 90% traditionally starting around June. Not so recognized are allergens, such as dust, feathers, animal hairs and surprisingly fungi.

Symptoms include an itchy sensation in the nose and throat, frequent sneezing, a blocked or runny nose and itchy red watery eyes and irritability. When symptoms are really bad you may feel as if you have a high temperature, hence the term hay fever.

Vitamin C not only supports the immune system, but also helps the body defend itself against the consequences of having too much histamine released. A strong immune system will help protect from allergic reaction, including hay fever, and Echinacea will support your own natural defences.

Hayfever sufferers can do much to help themselves by modifying their diet as allergens are composed of protein molecules, which are larger than the normal proteins when absorbed in the blood. For this reason it is essential that suffers carefully consider dietary regime, as chemical additives and preservatives and a high protein diet may exacerbate the problem. You should be sparing with animal protein and salt, while at the same time introducing plenty of honey and fruit into your diet. Starchy, sugary foods should be reduced to the bare minimum and no dairy products should be consumed at all.

Listed below are some common hayfever remedies, but remember the beauty of homeopathy is that it has its success rate, because it looks at treating the individual, so what works for a friend or colleague, may not be the correct remedy for you.

Allium Cepa- If itching is marked, of the nose and eyes, with a very profuse clear nasal discharge, which is acid and excoriating.

Arsenicum Album When thin burning and excoriating watery discharge, with sneezing and catarrh, worse after midnight, and restlessness.

Euphrasia If your eyes are worse than your nose. They are burning and swollen, with a sensation of dust in them. Very red and inflamed.

Kali Carb Experiencing severe hay fever, worse in the morning and evening. Symptoms include a clear or yellow thick discharge, sore throat, sneezing, and watering of the eyes. Swelling of the eyelids is characteristic.

Mixed Pollen This is very useful in late summer, early autumn.

Homeopathy treat the whole person, because it is our belief that the mind & body operate as one, and you cannot treat one part of the body without affecting the whole. Medicines are chosen to fit all the characteristics of the patient, so physical disorders are considered in relation to the individuals mental & emotional state.

Yes. There are many general homeopathic remedies, which can be purchase over the counter and these should be taken at the first sign of the symptoms, up to every fifteen minutes, when the symptoms are at their worse. Though with hayfever it is more advisable to contact a homeopath directly, as it is necessary to work on a deeper level, which cannot be achieved with a self-prescription. Without treatment to eradicate the underlying susceptibility the hay fever will return the following season. Long-term homeopathic treatment can reduce the bodys allergic responses to these pollens or allergens so that eventually hay fever is no longer a problem.