What is hayfever?

Hayfever is an allergic reaction to airborne substances, such as pollens which causes inflammation of the nasal mucous membranes.

Hayfever sufferers usually have an allergy to one of two kinds of pollen, which land on the lining of the nasal passages and trigger a reaction that causes the nasal membrane to swell and excess mucous to be produced.

Like asthma these allergies can also be triggered by

Grasses
Tree and flower pollens
Mould spores from trees
Dust or dust mites
Fur and animal dandruff
Feathers
Moulds
Plants
Chemicals

If the body is subjected to any of these allergens the body will produce antibodies which release a chemical substance called histamine which is what causes the allergic reactions.

People with Hayfever often also suffer from asthma or eczema and these allergic reactions often run in families.

Naturopathic doctors believe that although hay fever is triggered by seasonal allergies the underlying cause is an underlying imbalance of the body, often a sluggish liver and the inability to digest the chosen diet adequately. Over a period of time if a diet that is not metabolized properly is eaten a buildup of waste in the body occurs. This toxic buildup of waste stresses the body and results in the incapacity of the body to deal with any further foreign protein such as pollens.

For hayfever treatment complementary practitioners will therefore look closely at a hayfever sufferer’s lifestyle and eating habits. If changes are made to the diet dramatic health changes can often be made. A period of time on a vegetarian or vegan diet can improve a patients overall health and will make their body more capable of dealing with these seasonal allergies.

When we are born everyone inherits the potential for some form of disease. Most diseases begin when this inherited problem is triggered by an outside influence. For example, a virus usually triggers a cold or flu, while pollens often trigger Hay fever.

When we are healthy, the levels of energy in all parts of our body are in perfect balance. When our inherited disease potential is triggered, the body responds by shifting healing energy to the area where this trigger has been received. In the case of hay fever, more energy is shifted to the eyes, nose and throat, which is normally where pollens collect. Our body sends more energy to this area so it can produce symptoms to try and get rid of the problem. If someone has Hay fever, their body will produce sneezing, a runny nose and watery eyes in its attempt to remove the pollens that are causing the hay fever. If we use a product to simply stop the Hay fever (such as an antihistamine), or the symptoms (such as a herb or supplement), the underlying problem will not be cured as these products do not address the real cause of the disease — the body’s response to the pollen. Symptoms are normally attempts by the body to cure the original problem. Simply stopping the symptoms will not cure the disease.

The homeopathic view on hayfever is that it is a deep-seated condition and thus requires constitutional treatment from an experienced homeopath. Homoeopathic treatment re-balances the body’s energy system. It therefore cures the problem because it stops the body responding to the pollen, virus, stress or other trigger that started the disease process.

As hayfever is a deep-seated condition that is caused by underlying imbalances in the body and manifests as seasonal allergies it may actually take several seasons of homeopathic treatment to cure it completely.

Other natural health therapists may place more emphasis on unblocking the flow of energy through the body. An acupuncture practitioner will put emphasis on the underlying weakness or blockages in the energy systems. In hay fever there is usually a weakness in the lungs, liver and kidney. By unblocking the appropriate meridian and/or stimulating the relevant acupressure points symptoms can be relieved and overall health can be improved.

While it is essential to work on the above natural remedies for hayfever relief there are a number of self-help measures and home remedies that can be employed for natural allergy relief at the same time.

Avoid known irritants if at all possible.

If you suffer from hayfever keep a track of the pollen count and take preventative measures.

If your hayfever is really bad at night or first thing in the morning maybe fitting an air filter over open windows and fireplaces may help. Inexpensive air filters can be made by sandwiching a layer of cotton wool between two layers of fine mesh gauze stretched across a wooden frame.

Most hayfever sufferers find that direct sunlight tends to hurt and aggravate their eyes and gives them a aheadache so if you must go out in the sun wear sunglasses and a hat which shades your face.