Hayfever – A Great Way to Use Homeopathy!

Finally we have had some glorious sun-filled warm days.  For most of us that is time to get into the garden and enjoy feeling the sun on our skin and replenishing our Vitamin D supplies naturally.  Barbecues, long lazy Sundays, relaxing evenings…. need I continue?  Sadly for many of us that is not the reality of early summer.  Try stuffed up noses, itchy swollen streaming eyes, headaches, continuous sneezing.  For those who suffer from hay fever early summer can be a truly miserable time.  Hay fever symptoms make an appearance when an allergen such as pollen triggers an immune response, resulting in histamine being released and causing the symptoms described above.  At this point many people will take anti-histamines to try and alleviate some of the worst effects.  However anti-histamines can make you feel sleepy and woolly-headed and do little more than palliate- they certainly don’t cure hay fever.

I would urge you to consider trying homeopathy as an alternative to anti-histamines. There are a number of remedies which can act as natural ‘anti-histamines’ without any of the associated side-effects.  It is perfectly possible to home prescribe.  You should select a remedy based on how YOU do YOUR hayfever.

A list of the most commonly used remedies is presented below. For first aid home prescribing you will use these remedies in a 30c potency (strength).

ALLIUM CEPA
This is derived from the common onion.  So if you imagine how you feel when you are chopping a raw onion this pretty much describes the hay fever symptoms which will be best served by this remedy.
There is a strong burning sensation from the nose and eyes accompanied by a watery discharge.  The eyes are sensitive to light, often red and irritated, whilst the nose can become sore from the burning corrosive mucous.  There can be a hacking cough.  Often worse for being in a warm room and better for cool air.

SABADILLA
This is a common hay fever remedy which is most indicated during the early spring, or around harvest time. Persistent sneezing and an itchy, stuffed up nose.
The eyes water in the open air, from sunlight or whilst sneezing.
Symptoms are also worse for cold air and there is usually improvement from eating warm food and warm drinks or from keeping warm.

EUPHRASIA
In herbalism this herb, known as ‘Eyebright’, has a long history of use for eye conditions.
So in hay fever it is best used for hayfever in which the symptoms mainly involve the eyes.
It is useful for very watery eyes where the person feels that they have to wipe or rub them constantly.  The eyelids can swell up (especially the lower lids).  There can be a thick infected discharge from the eyes themselves.  It can feel as though there is a grain of sand rubbing the eyes and they can become very gummed up and sore.
Symptoms are worse for sunlight, at night-time, for windy weather and indoors.  The person will feel better in cool, open air.
Euphrasia tincture can also be used as a local eyewash by diluting one drop in an eyebath of cooled sterile water. It is really soothing for sore eyes- and can be used as an eye-bath like this- even if the hay-fever remedy itself is not Euphrasia.

ARSENICUM ALBUM
Frequent sneezing and blocked nose with watery discharge.  In contrast to Allium Cepa the symptoms are worse outside and better for staying inside and keeping warm.  Eyes might be inflamed and feel swollen and burning-they will be better for bathing with warm water.  Can be much worse at night, especially on lying down.  The person needing this remedy might feel anxious or restless during an attack, and might well feel chilly-even in warm weather.

ARUNDO
Hayfever starts with a burning and itching of the palate and eyes.  There is an annoying itch of the roof of the mouth.  There may be a nasal discharge- this will be clear at first but will turn green and there will be lots of sneezing.

NUX VOMICA
The person suffering a ‘Nux’ hayfever can have irritated membranes and be generally irritable themselves.  They will be acutely sensitive to odours, or pollen particles.  The nose will be very stuffed up yet an unsatisfied urge to sneeze.  The ears, nose and eyes can be intensely itchy.
The person is generally rather chilly.
The symptoms are worse in the morning and are better after a short sleep or a warm drink.

WYETHIA
The hallmark of this remedy is intense itching on the roof of the mouth and behind the nose, sometimes extending into the throat and ears.  Everything feels dry and irritated, yet the nose can be runny.

PULSATILLA
There is a lot of thick, green catarrh.  The person feels hot, and is definitely worse if they do get heated.  There may be itchy skin symptoms too in a Pulsatilla patient.
Symptoms will be worse for bathing and better for fresh air.
The person needing Pulsatilla may well be more sensitive and possibly tearful or irritable.
Both physical symptoms and the emotional state can seem quite changeable from day to day.

SULPHUR
This can look very like Pulsatilla- there is much offensive catarrh.  These people also feel hot and are worse if they get overheated.  Again there can be skin rashes which will be itchy.
The person may feel more hungry than usual.
Symptoms are worse for bathing and late morning.  They will be better for fresh air.

NATRUM MURIATICUM
Most characteristically for this remedy the discharges will be the consistency of raw egg white and will be white or clear and can be extremely profuse.  There is often repeated violent sneezing-particularly in the morning.  The nose might be itchy.  The patient might have pulsating headaches which are worse in the sun.  They might prefer to be alone.  Cold sores are something that can be seen with this remedy.
Symptoms are worse for heat, better for cold bathing and in the open air.

MIXED POLLEN AND GRASSES
This, as its name suggests, is a combination of a variety of pollens.  It can be used as a stand alone remedy, or in combination with any other indicated remedy.

RAW HONEY
Additionally it is well worth getting local raw honey and taking a little every day.  Raw honey contains propolis, pollens and small amounts of royal jelly. (This is all lost if the honey is pasteurized.)  Propolis and royal jelly help boost the immune system- and the pollens help to de-sensitize you to pollens in the air- this is why you need to make sure you get a good supply of LOCAL honey.

Many of these remedies can be ordered from your local health food shop – I can recommend Chester Health Store, 59 Bridge Street Row, Chester (on the rows) tel no 01244 320444 (she is happy to order remedies in if she hasn’t got them in stock), or by contacting one of the homeopathic pharmacies listed below.

HELIOS PHARMACY                 https://www.helios.co.uk/

AINSWORTHS                          www.ainsworths.com

FREEMANS                              http://www.freemans.uk.com/

If you have found this article useful, and you are interested in finding out about more permanent treatment of hay fever do feel free to contact me via my website

www.nicholamillerhomeopathy.co.uk

If you are interested in reading more about how you might treat yourself and your family for simple first-aid and acute situations then I highly recommend the following two books.

The Complete Homeopathy Handbook                       Miranda Castro

The Practical Handbook of Homeopathy                    Colin Griffith

Enjoy your summer!!
Nicki Miller