(also referred to as...) Environmental Allergies, Hay Fever, Allergic Rhinitis Description As the cold silence of winter lifts its protective veil, the land reawakens and begins to make its presence known. Flowers rise up from the soil and bloom with brilliant shapes and colours. Trees welcome their winged friends with a bounty of leaves. Forest critters go about their business and crawling and flying creatures help complete the day's adventures. And the humans start sneezing. You know the lazy hazy days of summer are into full swing when countless humans across the country itch their eyes a watery blood red and strain their lungs through repeated sneezes and coughs. Ragweed is out in full bloom. Yet symptoms can often start long before this time. Tree pollen begins its journey as early as march and well into May. Flowers of all kinds take over from this point until frost. And the grande finale brings ragweed to the senses from August until frost. Hay Fever Contrary to its label, Hay Fever usually has nothing to do with hay and everything to do with ragweed (primarily). This four foot tall, pretty yellow plant causes general distress for a large portion of the population. The periods of tree and flower pollen are also often associated with Hay Fever.
Symptoms and Signs: Itchy, watery eyes, sneezing, nasal congestion, itchy ears, nose, and throat, red eyes, headaches, and general discomfort are all signs of a seasonal allergic reaction. In general, symptoms mirror that of a cold. The difference lies in the thin, clear nasal discharge of an allergic reaction as opposed to the thick, yellow-green nasal discharge of a cold. In any case, sufferers of both ailments feel drained and tired as their immune system attempts to deal with the situation.
Causes: Seasonal allergies are caused by an overreaction of the immune system to tree, flower, or ragweed pollen. As a defense, the body produces histamine as an attempt to block the intake of the "invading" element. This results in the symptoms listed above as various passage ways into the body are "closed" while others are used to flush the element from the body. This immune system reaction should not occur. The system is either immature or weakened and this can be caused by any ailment/situation affecting the immune system -- stress, liver toxification, food allergies, et cetera.
What to Expect: Seasonal allergies affect the mucous membranes of the nose, eyes, and air passages. Symptoms usually get progressively worse as atmospheric pollen counts increase throughout the season. If the allergy is seasonal, however, symptoms will likely dissipate at the end of the season.
Remedies
General Info. It is best to begin your regimen prior to allergy season. This will give your immune system time to adapt and/or heal and your cell membranes time to strengthen, thus reducing histamine production. Using over the counter (OTC) antihistamine products or allergy needle regimens are not advisable. While providing temporary relief, these approaches often have negative side effects and block your body's attempts to flush the "invader". A more viable, effective, approach is to condition your immune system to not overreact to environmental elements. Keep in mind that conditioning your immune system is a long-term process and will likely take several seasons to complete.
Antioxidants Grape Seed Extract, Pycnogenol, and antioxidants in general will greatly benefit seasonal allergy suffers. If supplementing, take 25 to 100mg of either grape seed extract or pycnogenol, but not both. See also Vitamins A, C, E, below.
Food Supplements Bee pollen contains pollen from the various flowers the bees come into contact with while gathering nectar. Consuming bee pollen over time can condition your immune system and reduce the tendency for it to overreact. It is best to use bee pollen from your local area as it will contain the pollen you are reacting to. Introducing pollen internally to the body in this matter can prove quite effective.
Herbs Eyebright soothes mucous membranes, decreases sinus congestion, and is very effective at reducing nasal drip. If preparing an infusion, pour 1 cup boiling water over 1 teaspoon of herb and infuse for 10 minutes. Take 3 times daily. If using a tincture, take 15 to 20 drops in 1/4 cup of water 3 times daily for chronic conditions. For acute situations, take 10 to 15 drops every 2 hours. Nettle can help strengthen the immune system and reduce histamine production. If supplementing, take 2 500mg capsules freeze-dried herb twice daily over the course of the allergy season. If using a tincture, take 20 to 40 drops twice daily. If preparing an infusion, add 1 to 2 teaspoons dried herb to one cup boiling water. Let steep 10 minutes. Drink up to 2 cups daily.
Homeopathy Certain remedies can be used in acute situations if your symptoms fit the symptom picture of the remedy. For dosages, see the dedicated section on Homeopathy. General dosage when dealing with chickenpox is one 12C every three to four hours, for 2 to 3 days. Consult your homeopath or naturopath to determine your constitutional remedy: the remedy that best fits you as a whole person. Your homeopath or naturopath will take a complete case history considering all of your mental and physical ailments and match these symptoms with the symptom picture of the remedy. Ambrosia: For ragweed. Acute: take this remedy towards the end of the summer season when ragweed has matured and starts pollinating. Take two to three 30CH pellets three times daily for one to three weeks depending on effectiveness. Increase to 200CH if required under the supervision of your homeopath or naturopath. Preventative: Take Ambrosia before ragweed comes out in force, late July or early August. Keep in mind that as this is a homeopathic dosage, your symptoms will likely worsen as healing/conditioning takes place. Pollens Canada: A homeopathic preparation of pollen from a variety of Canadian flowers. It is most effective if taken at the beginning of the season. Take two to three 30CH pellets three times daily for one to three weeks depending on effectiveness. Increase to 200CH if required under the supervision of your homeopath or naturopath. Preventative: Take before the season begins, most likely during the month of May. Keep in mind that as this is a homeopathic dosage, your symptoms will likely worsen as healing/conditioning takes place.
Lifestyle It is important to determine food allergies in addition to seasonal ones. Food allergies will also weaken your immune system, resulting in an inability to adequately deal with seasonal allergens. See Therapies, Healing Aids, & More, below. In addition, eliminate food additives from the diet as they place an additional, and unnecessary, strain on the body. One study found that patients experienced reduced allergy symptoms when placed on an additive-free diet. You can also reduce the load on your immune system by avoiding foods high in sugar, caffeine, and chemicals. Also avoid chemical cleaners and sources of pollution. Drink water. This will help flush toxins from the body, reducing the load on your immune system. Liquids will also help reduce histamine. Eight glasses a day is the de facto standard. If you are not used to drinking this much, start slowly (four glasses) and work your way up. You can also drink fresh juices for an added nutritional boost. You may also consider a juice fast. This will help flush toxins from the body and improve overall liver and immune system condition. Use fresh-squeezed organic juices. You should aim for twice as much vegetables as fruits to further enhance immune system healing. One week is often enough. Start slow by replacing one meal and work your way up. On day five, start to eat food again (one meal) and increase up to three by the seventh day. Consult with a nutritionist to determine the most ideal strategy for your body type and situation. Pollen counts increase on windy, dry days and decrease in the evenings of after a rain fall. Try to plan your day accordingly. "Conditioned" air reduces atmospheric pollen counts as do air purifiers in closed environments.
Miscellaneous Quercetin, a bioflavonoid, will help reduce histamine production and resulting congestion. Think of it as a natural antihistamine. Take 2 500mg capsules twice daily. Look for activated quercetin prepared with bromelain and Vitamin C for enhanced absorption and effectiveness.
Therapies, Healing Aids, & More Allergy testing can also be done to determine specific allergens. Strategies include a skin test, Radioallergosorbent (RAST) test and ELISA. Contact your local allergy testing centre for more information.
Vitamins Vitamin A, C, and E all contain antioxidant properties. A number of studies have also shown that vitamin C and E may help reduce histamine levels. If using Vitamin A, take 10,000 IU daily. If using Vitamin C, take 1,000 mg daily (increase up to bowel tolerance). If using Vitamin E, take 400 IU daily. All three should be taken over the course of the allergy season and are also recommended as general maintenance doses.
Actions and Remedy Listings
For More Information ...
Allergy Asthma Information Association
30 Eglinton Avenue West, suite 750
Mississauga, Ontario
L5R 3E7 Tel.: 905.712.2242
Fax: 905.712.2245
Regional pollen cycle information is available through: National Allergy Bureau
Toll-free: 1.800.9.POLLEN
See also Food Allergies, Liver Toxification, and Weakened Immune System
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