5 Ways to be beat hay fever

As the season of sniffles and sneezes gets going here’s how to control your symptoms

Spring is here, which means trees and grasses are starting to come to life again after the long cold winter. But while this is uplifting for most of us it can spell misery for the estimated 20 per cent of people who suffer from hay fever in the UK.

Hay fever is an allergic response, and like all allergies is an abnormal reaction by our body’s immune system to a normally harmless substance. This can be dust, animal dander or other airborne pollutants, but by far the most common culprit is pollen coming from trees, grasses or flowers. 

IgE antibodies, cells that normally fight bacteria, see pollen as something that needs to be attacked. And when exposed to a certain level they release histamine and other chemicals to fight the invader. This in turn triggers a host of symptoms including sneezing, wheezing, itchy, streaming eyes, a blocked or runny nose, a heavy head and drowsiness.

Sadly there is no cure for hay fever, but the symptoms can be controlled. And the good news is if you want to go down the natural route there are several herbs that can help to bring relief.

1 DOSE UP WITH ECHINACEA

A good starting point when it comes to symptom control is to try to reduce your allergic response, which is where echinacea can help. Available as a tincture, capsules or tablets, it is well known for it ability to strengthen the body’s natural defences against allergies. For maximum effect you need to take this herb for at least six weeks before your hay fever season starts.

2 TRY BUTTERBUR

Coming from a herbaceous plant found in Europe and parts of North Africa and Asia, butterbur has anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties. And research published in the British Medical Journal shows that it has similar effects to over-the-counter antihistamines, but without any side effects such as drowsiness. As with echinacea, you should start taking butterbur before your hay fever season starts.

3 MAKE NETTLE TEA

Forgo your regular cup of black tea for breakfast and go for nettle instead. The common garden nettle has anti-inflammatory and anti-histamine properties, which can help fight symptoms such as sneezing and itchy eyes. Just one cup in the morning is thought to benefit people with hay fever. Either brew your own or buy it in teabag form from your local Health Store.

4 APPLY CAMOMILE

Use a cold camomile compress to soothe sore and itchy eyes. (Soak two camomile teabags in water then cool them in the fridge before using them as eye masks.) Drinking a cup of warm camomile tea may also help to ease an irritated throat.

5 INHALE SOME EUCALYPTUS

A stuffy or blocked nose can be debilitating, especially as the weather starts to warm up. Try placing a few drops of an essential oil such as eucalyptus on a tissue or handkerchief and inhaling slowly to bring relief. Lavender can also help to clear your sinuses. Dilute a couple of drops of lavender essential oil in a teaspoon of vegetable oil and massage under the eyes and across the bridge of your nose.

PROTECT YOURSELF

•  Don't stroke pets that have been outside - they carry pollen on their fur.
•  Avoid having fresh flowers in the house.
•  Stay indoors during peak pollen times - 7am-9am and 3pm-7pm.
•  Keep away from grassy areas.
•  Wear wraparound sunglasses to protect eyes.
•  Don’t mow the lawn during the day as it creates clouds of pollen. Alternatively get someone else to do it.
•  When planning holidays, remember mountains tend to have fewer flowers and pollen counts are lowest by the sea.
•  Smear petroleum jelly on your nostrils to stop pollen settling on the lining of your nose.
•  Keep windows closed and hang net curtains to help trap any pollen.
•  Eating raw garlic or taking a garlic capsule can help to build immunity and reduce nasal catarrh.
•  Rub some aloe vera gel around your nostrils and eyelids to soothe itchiness and redness. It’s a natural antihistamine.