Most people look forward to the end of Winter and to the beginning of Spring. Some dread this season because, for
them, it is the start of the hayfever season. Some suffer just slightly, others very severely.

What can be done without using steroids or other pharmaceuticals?

Allergies like hayfever are usually a sign that the immune system is out of balance. The end of Winter and the beginning of Spring is the best time to rebalance the immune system and to desensitise the mucous membranes. These membranes
produce excess mucus when they are irritated by allergens and cause much discomfort.

I would suggest the following:

1. Start right away by taking a daily teaspoonful of local honey. Local honey is excellent because it contains local pollen. This will induce a kind of desensitisation process.

2. Many hayfever sufferers also benefit from taking 1 to 3
teaspoonfuls of hempseed oil a day. 8 out of 10 people who suffer from hayfever and other allergic reactions affecting the airways are deficient in essential fatty acids.

3. Food allergies often aggravate hayfever symptoms, therefore reducing or cutting out dairy products and possibly eggs before and during the hayfever season might be helpful.

4. Lapacho is an immune balancing herb which has a pleasant cinnamon-like taste. It will be helpful to drink 3 to 4 cups of this tea daily before and during the season.



5. Ephedra is known for its antiallergic and anti-inflammatory
actions. Used as an isolated substance it can increase the blood pressure and speed up the heart rate. As a whole herb however and at the right dosage it has a re-balancing effect.

6. Eyebright soothes burning eyes and eases inflammation. It helps to relieve catarrh and congestion, which often ccompany hayfever. It is best applied as an infusion – to give fast relief of redness, swelling and visual disturbances.

7. The anti-catarrhal herb Elder flower is best used together with the herbs mentioned above because together they reduce the symptoms of hayfever.

8. Bilberry is a useful fruit to reduce eye strain and it may
improve vision. It is rich in flavonoids and vitamin C thus
helping to prevent inflammation.

9. Butterbur has been researched quite a lot in Germany. It has sedative and antispasmodic properties, which will be helpful for coughs and asthma. Butterbur (Petasites hybridus) is also being researched as a traditional remedy for the treatment of hayfever. There are several small studies, which
have shown that butterbur can be as effective as antihistamine
medications.

10. Nettles are also helpful if your skin is very sensitive and
suffer ‘prickly heat’ type symptoms. These common ‘weeds’ are a powerful blood tonic and reduce histamine levels in the blood stream.

11. You will also benefit from eating lots of fresh fruit and
vegetables, vitamin A, C and E containing foods. Add seeds to your diet because they are rich in Selenium and Zinc (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and sesame seeds).

In case you also suffer from digestive troubles then probiotics can be very helpful because they restore the gut bacteria. These bacteria play an important role for the immune system. Try to avoid chemical additives in your food.

To discover more about herbs, join a course, find helpful products or book a free 15 minute consultation, call Luzia
on 01258 456223.