Hay Fever

Most likely you or someone you know has allergies. The telltale itchy, puffy, watery eyes and red, stuffy nose signal changes in the seasons in homes and workplaces across the country. What these people suffer from is allergic rhinitis, or hay fever.

Hay fever is an allergic reaction. It is your immune system's response to foreign material in the air you breathe. Hay fever usually refers to allergies to outdoor, airborne materials such as pollens and molds. Usually hay fever is seasonal, but it can last all year long if the allergen stays throughout the year. Spring and fall are the main hay fever seasons. In hay fever, the allergens are airborne substances that enter your airways (mouth, nose, throat, and lungs) via your breathing and the linings of your eyes and sometimes ears via direct contact. This overreaction to a harmless substance is often called a hypersensitivity reaction.

Pollens from certain types of trees, grasses, and weeds (such as ragweed) are most likely to cause reactions. Pollens from other types of plants are less allergenic. The time of year when a particular species of plant releases pollen, or "pollinates," depends on the local climate and what it normal for that species. Some species pollinate in the spring and others in the late summer and early fall. Generally, the farther north a plant is, the later in the season it pollinates. Variations in temperature and rainfall from year to year affect how much pollen is in the air in any given season. The other common allergens in hay fever are molds. Molds are a type of fungus that has no stems, roots, or leaves. Mold spores float through the air like pollen until they find a hospitable environment to grow. Unlike pollen, however, molds do not have a season. Molds grow both outdoors and indoors. Outdoors, they thrive in soil, vegetation, and rotting wood. Indoors, molds (usually called mildew) live in places where air does not circulate freely, such as attics and basements, moist places such as bathrooms, and places where foods are stored, prepared, or discarded.

Self-Care at Home: Avoid known or suspected allergens. Gargle with warm salt water, 1-2 tablespoons of table salt in 8 ounces of warm water, to soothe a mildly sore throat. Take non-prescription antihistamines to relieve symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, and itchy throat and eyes. Caution - these medications may make you too drowsy to drive a car or operate machinery safely. For stuffy nose, a combination of an antihistamine and a decongestant such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed, Actifed) may work better.

Aromatherapy Treatments:

Try alternative therapies which may help to relieve symptoms. It may be necessary to experiment with which essential oil works the best for you just as it is necessary to identify which pollen affects you. Try any oils which work for the colds.

Eucalyptus and Lavender Essential Oils can help in steam inhalations. Chamomile and Melissa Essential Oils can be helpful for allergies in general. Some people find that a steam inhalation can make it worse so try a few drops of the essential oil on a handkerchief to inhale. Massage with any of these essential oils can also help the severity of the allergic response.

For sore red eyes try a cool compress of rosewater or chamomile infusions (NOT the essential oils).

Recently The Times published an article called: "Should the NHS pay for alternative medicine?" And comment published read as follows:

"I work as a GP and I have used homeopathy alongside conventional medicine over the past ten years. I have seen many successes for many conditions both as a GP and at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital. Why do I have so many patients asking for homeopathic medicines in this hay fever season? Many have reported to me that they have a superior effect over antihistamines and other prescription medicines. My patients are proving that they work over and above any placebo effect."     

Michael Cannell, St Albans

Chamomile German 10% Dilute Essential Oil - Matricaria Recutica

Fantastic oil for so many purposes including skin care, inflammed tendons and swollen joints, digestive prolems especially where related to stress.

£4.25

Chamomile Roman 10% Dilute Essential Oil - Chamaemelum Nobile

A wonderful oil which has so many valuable properties Chamomile would be a great one to always keep in and can be used in skin care, musuclar aches and pains and digestive problems.

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Chamomile Roman Pure Essential Oil - Chamaemelum Nobile (10ml)

Chamomile is a great oil to use for nervous disorders. It is soothing and calming and can help where a person is irritable or nervous. It can also help with insomnia.

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Eucalyptus Essential Oil - Eucalyptus Globulus (10ml)

Eucalyptus is best loved for its ability to help with chest infections and blocked up noses. However it is also great for muscular aches, colds sores, herpes or burns and makes a useful and natural painkiller.

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Lavender Essential Oil - Lavandula Abrialis (10ml)

Lavender has been used continuously for thousands of years and its popularity has only ever increased. If you could have no other essential oil in your house, then Lavender would be the prime choice: It has a wide range of uses and is a natural antibiotic, anti-depressant, sedative and de-toxifier.

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Melissa Blend Essential Oil - Melissa Blend(10ml)

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