Herbal Help for Hayfever
Spring is often linked to a sense of renewal. As the daylight hours stretch longer, temperatures become warmer, and blossoms emerge, many of us find a new spring in our step. Yet for others it's a time of, well… misery.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you know that spending time outdoors can be followed by sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and even asthma attacks all triggered by the immune system simply reacting to pollen in the air.
So what’s happening? And why do some people suffer more than others with “hayfever”?
Spring pollen can cause a tough time with allergies for some.
How full is your “allergy bucket”?
Everyone has an inbuilt tolerance level in the immune system for external irritants. Let’s imagine everyone gets 100 tolerance points. If you’re someone who gets hayfever from the pollen around you and you go bushwalking your “allergic load” or allergy bucket is suddenly filling up by 50 points.
On top of that, if you have a moderate intolerance to dairy but eat a lot of cheese at your next spring picnic, your allergy bucket is filling by another 30 points.
On the way home you visit your friend for a cuppa who has a cat and before you know it, another 30 points has tipped your body over the limit. Now your body is in fight mode desperately trying to keep your allergies at bay.
On the inside, there is a lot going on. Cortisol and histamine are running rampant as your body tries to tame the inflammation.
Your immune cells are protesting “I don’t like you, pollen, dairy and cat hair, so I will release chemicals to fight these unwanted guests.”
How I look at allergies
In the clinic, I will start by looking at anything that’s likely to be constantly filling a person’s allergy bucket: things like hidden food intolerances, pet allergies and environmental allergens like chemicals or mould at home or work.
Underlying food intolerances (even subtle ones) that are contributing to your body’s heightened inflammation status, (e.g. dairy, gluten, eggs, corn and soy) are a surprisingly common reason for heightened spring allergies.
I use a simple and effective 3 week clean diet to help reset the body and also identify once and for all if you are sensitive to dairy, gluten or soy.
Next up are external factors like mold, dust and pet allergies. Ask yourself, are there ways to avoid or reduce these in your household?
The main goal for reducing allergic responses is not to turn off the body’s inflammatory system (we need it!) but rather to nourish the immune system with herbs that lessen the severity of the symptoms and even eliminate the underlying cause of the reaction itself.
Herbs for Hayfever
Nettle leaf (Urtica dioica)
Nettle acts by giving nourishment and strength to mucus membranes, helping to drain away mucus from blocked tissues, as well as, decreasing histamine production internally. Very useful if you have hay fever!
A study showed that Nettle extract inhibited a number of inflammatory events that can cause sneezing, itching and redness as part of an allergic reaction (Roschek et al).
Do you get rashes in springtime too? Try simple cups of Nettle tea.
Many years ago, my daughter had come home from school covered in little red bumps, all up and down her arms and torso. The next day the itchy allergy-type rash spread to her neck and face.
I made her a strong cup of Nettle tea each to drink everyday and within three days, the rash had almost but disappeared. It was one of my first personal experiences with the power of herbs.
A close up of Nettle leaves. Nettle contains vitamin C, K, D, and is a good source of minerals (calcium, magnesium and potassium plus iron and zinc).
2. Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)
As the name suggests, the classic herb for allergic eyes is Eyebright. Known for strengthening the tensile structure and nerves of the eyes, it is a wonderful herb for easing the discomfort of red, itchy and sore eyes (Jones, 1994). Its anti-histamine properties also help clear mucus membranes.
After taking Eyebright, you will likely notice the cloudy film of your eyes has cleared up and your eyes look brighter and less tired.
The best way to take Eyebright is in tincture form, but a herbal infusion to directly wash out the eye, or a soothing compress soaked in a herbal blend also works. The compress method is my favourite method when working with children.
Eyebright. A great herb to strengthen eye health and help ease the itchy, watery eyes associated with seasonal allergies.
Whether allergies affect you only a little bit, or quarantine you from the outside entirely, herbs can play a vital role in replenishing the body’s natural immune responses - and give you relief this Spring.
Wishing you good health,
Jess xx
References:
Roschek B, Fink RC, McMichael M, Alberte RS. (2009) Nettle extract (Urtica dioica) affects key receptors and enzymes associated with allergic rhinitis. Phytotherapy Research. 23(7):920-6.