WHAT IS HAYFEVER?

Streaming nose, burning eyes, itchy throat, headache? Maybe you have hayfever?

It can be really miserable at this time of year when you suffer from hayfever and about 13 million people in the UK do!! You’re desperate for Spring to arrive and the days to start getting a little bit warmer, but equally, the thought of all your hayfever symptoms coming round again can feel completely draining.

Hayfever (also know as allergic rhinitis) is caused by different allergens for different people. It’s often triggered by pollens in the air in late spring and summer, but many people also suffer during the colder months from dust mites, animal dander and mold as well as other triggers.

How have we got to this place? What is it that’s making us so allergic to so many different things?

Part of the problem, as with everything, seems to be our modern environment. We’re exposed to more pollution, processed foods, and chemicals than ever before, which can overstimulate the immune system, making it hypersensitive to lots of things. Add in issues with gut health — which we’re now realising is so closely linked to immunity — and we begin to understand how things go wrong.

But the great news is, there’s lots you can do to support your body and I have outlined some common remedies below to help you during the period when you are particularly affected.

Natural Ways to Ease Hayfever:

• Rinse away pollen: Shower and change clothes after being outside to wash off any lingering pollen. A quick saline rinse for your nose and eyes can help flush out irritants too.

• Support your gut: A healthy gut helps balance your immune response. Add probiotic-rich foods like kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi or natural yogurt to your diet.

• Local honey: Eating a teaspoon of local honey daily might help your body gradually adapt to local pollen, though the evidence is mostly anecdotal — many people swear by it!

• Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps thin mucus, making it easier for your body to flush out allergens naturally.

• Pollen-proof your home: Keep windows closed on high pollen days, especially in the early morning and evening when counts are highest. Use an air purifier or place a bowl of water near radiators to trap pollen.

• Essential oils: Diffuse or inhale oils like peppermint, eucalyptus, or lavender to help open up airways and calm inflammation.

• Herbal helpers: Nettle tea, chamomile, and elderflower can all help calm symptoms and support your body during allergy season.

• Use a small amount of olive oil or similar to line your nasal passages and act as a barrier to the pollen.

 

Hayfever and Pregnancy

Many mums are cautious about using medication during pregnancy and so hayfever can be really miserable during this time. Homeopathic remedies are a great solution. They are completely safe during pregnancy, very gentle and with no side effects.

Homeopathic Remedies for your Hayfever

• Allium cepa: For streaming eyes and nose, where discharge burns and symptoms improve in fresh air. Great for classic hayfever symptoms that mimic cutting onions.
• Arsenicum album: For people who feel restless and anxious with their symptoms, especially if they experience a burning, watery discharge that makes them feel worn out.
• Euphrasia: When eyes are the main issue — burning, watery, and irritated, especially in the mornings. This remedy is particularly helpful if your eyes feel worse in the wind or sunlight.
• Nat mur: For a runny nose alternating with congestion and lots of sneezing. It’s especially helpful if you feel worse in the sun or have a loss of smell and taste during allergy season.
• Nux vom: Often feel irritable and impatient with your hayfever. Your nose may be stuffed up at night and running during the day, or blocked on one side.
• Pulsatilla: For when you feel better in fresh air and much worse in hot stuffy rooms. Your mucous may be thick and bland, often yellowish. You may feel weepy and want lots of company.
• Sabadilla: For constant sneezing fits, itchy nose, and a tickly throat. This is a great choice if your hayfever feels relentless, with sneezing that exhausts you.
• Wyethia: For an itchy, irritated throat and mouth — the kind of itching that makes you want to constantly clear your throat or scratch the roof of your mouth.
• Hayfever combination – really useful if your symptoms don’t quite fit one remedy or if they change depending on the day!

 

Try using a 30c potency, 3-4 times per day. If your symptoms are really troublesome, you may need to increase the frequency initially and then reduce it gradually as they improve.

For hayfever that’s been going on for a long time, I can offer you a 6 week Hayfever Programme that is really useful to address your symptoms long term and gradually reduce your sensitivity. This can be done in the spring and autumn. Over a period of time, you will notice that your hayfever symptoms are significantly reduced, often to a point where you no longer need to use antihistamines.

Get in touch if you would like more information and I look forward to hearing how you get on with trying remedies at home.