How Herbal Medicine Can Treat Hay Fever
Whilst enthusiastically excited by the onset of Spring, some of us also feel wary of Sinus and Hay Fever that accompanies this season. Identified by the classic symptoms of stuffy nose, brain fog, watery eyes, headaches, sneezing and coughing, fatigue, earache, Hay Fever at this time of the year is triggered by pollens, dust and exacerbated by windy conditions. Many people, out of desperation to alleviate those symptoms, reach for antihistamine medications. Whilst temporarily effective in reducing symptoms, this remedy does not resolve or reduce the ongoing issues fuelling Hay Fever. Wouldn’t it be nice to be less sensitive and reactive to allergens? Wouldn’t it be amazing to find relief without relying on pharmaceuticals? Wouldn’t it be a blessing to improve overall health and well being whilst targeting Hay Fever?
As with all symptoms, Hay Fever is a signal / message from your body that there is room to heal, an imbalance to correct. Naturoapathically, everything is connected. In this case underlying dysbiosis or gastrointestinal imbalances are generally at play, along with imbalanced immune system response. Often we may see subtle diminishes in liver function, low levels of certain nutrients, increased stress, dietary insufficiencies. Overtime and unchecked, these low level underlying imbalances begin to cause larger symptoms, however all of us are interested in achieving ongoing wellness and can use this time as an opportunity to heal.
How Does Hay Fever Occur
Inflammation of the mucous membranes in the sinuses is driving the symptom picture. This inflammation is a result of the body’s immune system triggering and IgE mediated response to an allergen (pollen, dust, grass, pet hair, etc). By way of this immune response mast cells (a type of immune cell) are triggered to release mediators such as histamine, which cause the classic hay fever allergy symptoms. These mast cells also work to synthesise inflammatory mediators such as leukotrienes and prostaglandins, which cause the inflammatory symptoms felt (headaches, pain, etc). Mucous glands are stimulated which cause profuse discharges and blood vessels become larger and leakier further fuelling the cascade of symptoms. As the attack becomes more chronic, other immune cell types are enlisted, which will see less sneezing and itching, but increased congestion and mucous production.
Antihistamines work to reduce histamine and the effect of histamine in the body. But you’d be pleased to know there is so much more that can be achieved with herbal medicine.
Whether in pill form or liquid tinctures, herbal medicines provide relief and support the resolution of hay fever.
Some of the healing qualities of herbs are:
astringent: to tighten blood vessels alleviating inflammation and discharge
anti-allergic: reducing sensitivity to allergens
antibacterial: prevent or heal sinusitis / sinus infections
mucolytic: break down and dissolve mucous build up
reduce the production of mucous
inhibit histamine release from mast cells
decrease the sensitivity of the body’s histamine receptors
anti inflammatory: reducing symptoms and effects of inflammation
energetically: clear heat and damp conditions
modulate the immune response to dampen down the allergic cascade
alleviate eye, throat, nasal irritation and sinus headache
strengthen the mucous membranes to be more resilient to infection and allergens in the future.
A good Naturopath will also investigate and rectify any underlying conditions which contribute to more frequent and severe hay fever attacks, such as gastrointestinal health, nutrient deficiencies, stress, diet, and immune system balance.
Don’t suffer through Spring this year, tune in to your body’s messages and attain wellness :)
