Natural Hay Fever and Allergy Solutions

Natural Solutions for Hay Fever and Allergies

An allergen is something that causes the body to have an over-reaction to an otherwise harmless substance. According to Allergy UK, Allergic rhinitis affects 29% of people in the UK, and the percentage of children diagnosed with allergic rhinitis and eczema have both trebled over the last 30 years. Why this might be is another article, but, needless to say, there is increasing cause for considering natural tools you might be able to utilise to target allergies for yourself and your family.

The information here is not meant as medical advice and you should consult with a medical professional if you have a health condition or concerns about your health. This article is meant as a reminder about the possible natural options which may ease hay fever, and things that have come up for my clients as a natural health practitioner, which may be of help to you.

Lifestyle:

- Avoid drying clothes outside where they can collect pollen dust.

- Get enough sleep. Being tired has strong negative effects on your body’s ability to cope with problems, including allergic reactions.

- Drink water. Studies show that being dehydrated can have a big impact on how severe the symptoms of seasonal allergic rhinitis present. Concentrated juices, fizzy drinks, tea and coffee should not be your main source of hydration – drink plain hot or cold water throughout the day.

Food:

Avoiding high-histamine foods can help reduce the histamine reaction in your body when it is triggered by allergic reaction. These lists are generalised - some people may have sensitivities to various food types or have specific dietary requirements that counter this information. High histamine foods to be avoided in high quantities include fermented foods, aged cheese, kidney beans, citrus fruits, fish, shellfish, avocados, tomatoes, spinach, cocoa, leftover meat or fish, fermented alcohol like wine, champagne, and beer. Foods that can help with an anti-inflammatory support include berries, garlic, ginger, turmeric, onion, omega 3 rich foods such as oily fish, walnuts, and flax seeds.

Supplements and Remedies:

Having a full healthy balanced diet that consists of a full array of nutritional content is vital for good health. Here’s just a few key supplemental vitamins and minerals that are helpful for tackling allergic rhinitis.

Vitamin C is well documented to support the immune system and to reduce the severity of symptoms in patients with allergy-related respiratory issues. Getting a regular intake of vitamin C is vital as it doesn’t hang around in the body for long.

Elderberries are a rich source of antioxidants, fibre, vitamin C, vitamin A, anthocyanins and flavonoids and are proven to improve the function of mucous membranes

Vitamin D has important functions in the immune system and lower vitamin D levels are associated with higher chance of allergic response. 400iu daily is a suggested daily dose and more may be required if someone has been depleted for a time due to limited sun-exposure.

Magnesium is another nutrient to be considered as vitamin D cannot be metabolised without it. Magnesium consumption from natural foods has decreased in the past few decades, owing to industrialised agriculture and changes in dietary habits. High consumption of coffee, fizzy drinks, salt, alcohol, stress, fatigue, anxiety, and vigorous exercise can all lower your magnesium levels.

Nettle leaf contains therapeutic active compounds that may relieve inflammation and allergies when taken orally and is demonstrated to reduce allergic symptoms when taken regularly. You don’t need to tackle to stings from the living plant – Nettle is best taken as a tincture or in blended capsules.

Quercetin is commonly used as a remedy to relieve seasonal allergies. It is suggested that quercetin may stabilize the release of histamines and therefore naturally reduce allergic symptoms. The anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory properties of quercetin are known to inhibit the production and release of histamine and other allergic substances, possibly stabilising cell membranes of mast cells.

Spirulina is a nutrient-rich, blue-green algae that has been associated with a wide range of interesting health benefits. Studies have revealed antihistamine effects of spirulina, founding that regular consumption significantly reduces allergic rhinitis symptoms such as nasal discharge, sneezing, nasal congestion, and itching.

Black Seed is bursting with antihistamine and anti-inflammatory active ingredients such as thymoquinone, and is believed to ‘treat everything but death’. Traditional uses include natural remedies for hay fever and it has been proven to reduce hay fever symptoms when taken daily.

Zinc inhibits the release of histamine and so is another very useful mineral in the control of allergy response.

Homeopathic remedies or natural nasal sprays such as luffa nasal sprays, may be enough to prevent allergic reactions from arising – try starting these as soon as symptoms arise.

Finally, and possibly most importantly, check the health of your gut microbiota. Your gastrointestinal system plays an integral part in your body’s immune function. Studies have shown that having a healthy and diverse population of microbiota indicates less likelihood of presenting with hay fever. See your natural health practitioner to deduce what you need to do to balance your own gut health.