The above picture looks lovely…spring feels nice…but for many it’s a love-hate relationship. For many, spring is a time of frustration, pill-popping and kleenex use.
Seasonal allergies can be extremely aggravating and the constant nasal discharge, itching of the eyes, nose and throat can make one feel they are going to go crazy! It doesn't have to be that way.
There are a few great natural options that can help reduce the over-reaction of your immune system, reduce your symptoms and strengthen your immune system. Not only that - but you can actually eliminate seasonal allergies with the help of a qualified health professional.
What are seasonal allergies?
Seasonal allergies develop when your immune system has an over-reaction to something in your environment - things like mold, hay, pollen, & more. Symptoms can include watery, itchy eyes, runny nose, post-nasal drip, inflammation of your sinuses leading to difficulty breathing through your nose, itchy throat, nose, eyes and ears & more.
Seasonal allergies are often worse during the spring and fall, when it's windy, first thing in the morning, after rainfall, when it's warm and humid to list a few.
Can seasonal allergies be hereditary?
Yes! Seasonal allergies can be inherited. With a homeopathic approach this hereditary tendency can be eliminated.
What are the impact of anti-histamines & steroids treatments for seasonal allergies?
Medical treatment for seasonal allergies often include the use of anti-histamines, steroid sprays and inhalers. While these medications can provide relief they don't actually support your immune system and use of these medications can have short-term side effects including drowsiness and long-term side effects including memory loss, cognitive decline, increased nasal congestion, loss of efficacy of the medication, damage to tissues of the nasal passages, decrease in immune system function and more.
Can I do something more natural for my seasonal allergies?
YES! Season allergies can not only be managed naturally but they can actually be eliminated by working with a qualified health professional. If you wish to book an free 15 min consult to learn more about eliminating seasonal allergies or specific treatment for your condition click
here.
I'd like to share with a few of my favourite supplements & homeopathic medicines to support your immune system and manage your symptoms.
Supplements for seasonal allergies: (link
here for high quality supplements listed below at discounted rate)
- Quercetin
is a powerful anti-oxidant and natural anti-inflammatory. It helps relieve the inflammation in your nasal and sinus cavities thereby reducing pain and pressure and other inflammatory symptoms. It's a must-have!
- Stinging nettle is a herb helpful in reducing inflammation, promoting detoxification and reducing your the allergenic immune response. It can be taken in combination with quercetin for a powerful anti-inflammatory punch.
- Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, protects your cells from damage, reduces the severity of allergic reactions and helps your body to fight infections. When taken during allergy season, it can slow down the overreaction of your body to environmental triggers by decreasing your body's histamine production. It is a natural antihistamine.
- Bee pollen - rich in nutrients, bee pollen when taking internally can actually help your immune system build resistance to potential allergens and, in turn, reduce allergy symptoms. It is recommended to ingest bee pollen made in your locality as it will contain local pollen.
- Imm-Gem - a gemmotherapy combination of stem cells from plants/trees Dog Rose, Silver Fir and Black Current, Imm-Gem shrinks mucus membranes in the sinus cavity, increases immunity, promotes anti-inflammatory and anti-allergenic action and supports the adrenal response needed to activate the immune system thereby reducing fatigue. Silver fir is wonderful for repeated allergic episodes in chronic allergies and helps regenerate the upper respiratory terrain.
Homeopathic medicines are some of my all time favourites for the treatment and management of allergy symptoms.
Homeopathic medicines are safe for all ages, can be given alongside medications with no interactions! :)
The closer you can match your symptoms to the remedy described the better your relief will be. I have clients who have completely stopped using anti-histamines because the homeopathic medicines work wonderfully! There are MANY remedies - so I won't have listed them all here...but a few of my favourites are below and links where you can purchase them. I've also included some combination remedies (contain a variety of homeopathic medicines) for those who don't want to take the time to figure out which remedy is the best match (although because of that they may not work as well or at all). Again, if nothing below seems to match your symptoms don't give up!! A short consult with me for $40 can help you figure out which is your best match.
Homeopathic Combination Remedies
- Hydrastis Nasal Spray works by decreasing inflammatory processes in the nose, stimulates secretions, prevents drying out of the nasal mucosa, regenerates the function of the mucous membranes and normalizes nasal breathing. It is used for sinusitis, chronic rhinitis, allergies, ‘blocked’ or dry nose, pharyngolaryngitis, and nose bleeds. (link
here)
- RhinAllergy - for such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy and watery eyes and scratchy throat. (link
here)
- Homeocan Allergies helps relieve the symptoms associated with seasonal allergies, such as a runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, throat irritation, watery eyes, etc. (link
here)
- Homeocan Sinus is specially and naturally formulated to relieve the symptoms associated with sinusitis, congestion and nasal congestion. (link
here)
Single Homeopathic Medicines
- Wyethia
- Try this remedy when you experience extreme itching in the throat and palate that can extend to the ears; or a sore throat with hoarseness. (can only purchase direct through me)
- Allium Cepa - when nasal mucus irritates your nose or upper lip; your eyes are runny but the discharge is bland and non-irritating; you feel worse from warm rooms, and better in open air. (link here)
- Natrum Mur - when you have a watery or egg-white-like nasal discharge; paroxysms of sneezing; chapped lips and cracks at the corners of the mouth; dark circles under the eyes; headaches. (link here)
- Sabadilla
- Symptoms for this remedy include an itchy nose; violent, debilitating sneezing; runny eyes that become worse in cold outdoor air and from flower pollen; symptoms are better from warm drinks and warm rooms.
- Euphrasia
- indicated when you have flu-like symptoms where discharge from the nose is bland, but discharge from eyes is acrid and irritating. Hence, it is indicated when eyes are always burning and reddish like a pink eye.
- Pulsatilla
- This remedy is indicated when a person becomes very emotional or cries during the allergy symptoms. Children usually cling to their mother and want her on the side all the time. It is mainly indicated when the nose seems to be stuffed, especially in a closed room and with mild cough and fever. Discharge from the nose is usually bland. These patients are generally looking for fresh and open air.
For single homeopathic remedies I'd recommend a 30C potency (12C or 6C works too!) - 1 pellet every 2-4 hours as needed. If there is no relief of symptoms after 3 doses you are probably going to need a different remedy all together.
Last, but not least I'd recommend rinsing your sinuses out with a neti-pot once or twice weekly. Rinses will help eliminate allergens in your sinus cavities and reduce mucus build-up. You can make your own sinus rinse mix by adding ½ to 1 teaspoon of finely ground kosher or sea salt (avoid iodized and flavor-infused salts and any with added aluminum or silicone) to 16 ounces of either distilled or boiled tap water. Some people like adding ½ teaspoon of baking soda to lessen the salt’s slight sting. Seal and store the solution at room temperature.
I hope that this gives you some relief this season...and helps you manage your allergies more naturally and effectively. If you are interested in eliminating seasonal allergies, spring or autumn or other allergies such as cat/dog hair, molds, etc.
please reach out
to learn more!
In Health,
Rachel
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1661616/
https://ndnr.com/autoimmuneallergy-medicine/gemmotherapy-powerful-modality-for-treating-allergies/
https://www.verywellhealth.com/bee-pollen-what-should-i-know-about-it-88312
