SUMMER HAYFEVER TIPS

Runny or blocked nose, itchy eyes, scratchy throat, sneezing, headaches – the joys of hayfever are often multiple.

Seasonal rhinitis, also known as hayfever, is a type of inflammation in the nose which occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the air.

Grass, trees and weeds are the most common allergens in the summer which produce IGe inflammatory reactions but it can occur all year round (perenial allergic rhinitis) with allergens including house dust mites, pets and mould.

As a hayfever sufferer, I have spent many years dependent on daily anti-histamines and nasal sprays having received a positive skin test showing that I was allergic to grass (hardly ideal considering I live in the countryside!). There is absolutely a time and place for medication but  I started to search for natural aids that could lower my immune system’s response and control histamine levels.

Below are some of the tips I have picked up along the way to help alleviate my hayfever symptoms. On top of these, I’d also recommend a kinesiology session to investigate the trigger cause of your symptoms and discuss how to strengthen your body.

One of the quickest ways to calm your system during a hayfever attack is to use the cooling White Tea range from NYRO, I absolutely swear by these as my hayfever survival kit.

White Tea Facial Mist and White Tea Eye Gel from NYR Organic. The anti-inflammatory properties of white tea helps reduce puffiness while eyebright coupled with calming aloe vera soothes sore, itchy eyes. Place eye gel around and over your eyes and spritz the mist onto your face to cool and refresh. You’ll be delighted by how much it soothes  your hayfever.

1.WHAT TO TAKE:

Vitamin C – known anti-histamine found in citrus fruit like oranges, lemons + grapefruit, wonderfully high in beta carotene.

Bioflavonoids – combines well with vitamin C and have great anti-histamine properties.

Quercetin – anti-oxidant which prevents immune system releasing histamines

Essential Fatty Acids – increase your intake of essential fatty acids with omega 3+6. Beauty Oil is a fish free version containing hemp, flax, avocado and evening primrose oil.

Supplements suggestions:

Quercetin & Nettle  – take x2 a day for a few weeks to build up natural histamine levels with its vitamin C, quercetin, bromelain and nettle leaf extract.

Aller-C by Nutri Advanced contains vitamin C, bioflavonoids, quercetin and bromelain.

 

2. WHAT TO EAT:

Foods: Tumeric, garlic, onions, chillis, broccoli all contain quercetin.. Garlic can help boost your immune system as well as acting as a decongestant to relieve the stuffy nose feeling.

Pineeapple is a the natural source of bromelain (a digestive enzyme) which helps the body absorb quercertin in other foods reduces inflammation and the production of mucus.

Omega 3 found in oily fish (mackerel, sardines, salmon) and nuts and seeds (walnuts , sunflower, pumpkin, flax and sesame seeds). These essential fatty acids help coat your cell membranes and the clinical tests show it can reduce your symptoms.

Honey – eating a spoonful of LOCAL honey can help reduce the symptoms as the bee pollen can de-sensitise your body to other pollens.

Considerations: Be mindful that garlic, onion + chillis can increase the symptoms of IBS in some people, so do be tested for tolerance beforehand and consider garlic as a supplement instead. 

 

3. WHAT NOT TO EAT:

Avoid: Dairy, wheat + tomatoes are common culprits for exacerbating immune system triggers such as hayfever. Avoid any food triggers kinesiology may have identified; sugar and refined foods are often linked to lowering immunity and heightening hayfever symptoms.

 

4. WHAT TO DRINK:

Camomile tea – antioxidant + antihistamine and is great at reducing inflammation.

Summer Tea NYRO – refreshing peppermint and elderflower are combined with revitalising eyebright, energising liquorice and mineral-rich nettle

Plenty of water – adequate hydration will help flush toxins out of the body

 

5. WHAT ELSE?

Cold water splashed on face and cupping hands to flood the nose with cold water to reduce inflammation.

Wash hands regularly to remove the pollen

Change clothes as soon as you come into your house, or at least remove the outer layer which could have a layer of pollen sitting on it. Don’t hang your washing outside as this could pick up more the pollen.

Putting eucalpytus salve around your nose to both help you breath and also hopefully act as a tacky substance to catch the pollen

 

FINALLY, 

I hope these help as a starter for 10 for some natural ways to alleviate your hayfever. Do get in touch if you want to discuss further and book in for a kinesiology session with me so we can discuss and address what your system needs for long term better immunity. Good luck!

Sarah x

Thrive Health and Wellness

Kinesiologist Cert. ASK and NYRO Independent Consultant