Spring is in the air and hay fever symptoms flare! But what if over the counter anti-histamines and decongestants don’t have to be your only answer this year?
As I write this in late August, I can feel the sun’s warm glow through my lounge room window, I’m noticing the birdsong outside becoming more varied and sweet, the days are getting a little brighter, I think of my bulbs emerging and flowering, and the wattle around the Hills is bringing promise of warmer days to come. There is a renewed energy in the air!
But instead of feeling excited and forward-focused, some of us are feeling nothing but dread. “Here it comes”, you think to yourself as the familiar sensations kick in, the heaviness in the head, dullness in the mind, exhaustion, sneezing, pressure in the sinuses, a nose that won’t stop leaking, itchy throat, weepy eyes… it’s hay fever time.
Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is what’s called a hypersensitivity type 1 reaction. It simply means that our bodies, particularly our mast cells, get primed to respond to a stimulus (“allergen”) as though it is something pathological, even if under normal circumstances it wouldn’t be. Once “primed”, and our bodies meet this stimulus in the environment again, for example, pollen, dust, grass etc., the body will protect itself by releasing histamine, leukotrienes and other inflammatory mediators from mast cells.
There are many of these mast cells in the upper airways, sinuses and anywhere our internal body might come into contact with the external environment. Hence, we have the typical symptoms of hay fever: congestion, pressure, inflammation, itching, burning and prickling sensations, headache, and even actual fever.
Many people resort to over-the-counter anti-histamines, decongestants or steroidal sprays. However, having a few homeopathic medicines on hand my help to reduce symptoms of hay fever, or avoid a pharmacy visit all together.
Homeopathic medicines are interesting because we are always working with the body’s symptoms, not against them. Conventionally, we might think that if our symptoms are caused by histamine, we need an anti-histamine to oppose the body’s response. Or, if we have an area of inflammation such us the upper respiratory pathways and sinuses, we need something to oppose this inflammation, something that inhibits it or suppresses what the body is trying to do. Homeopathy flips this thinking completely on its head.
In homeopathy we see all symptoms as an expression, a communication from the body to let us know exactly what it needs. When we see an exaggerated response to a usually benign stimulus, as we do in hay fever, that tells us something about how the vital life force of that person is moving, responding and adapting to life. This is the essence of what we are treating, especially in the clinic when we are looking at the long-term picture of hayfever.
Homeopathy works with the body in this way by giving very, very, very tiny doses of substances which are known to cause the same symptoms a person is experiencing. In the case of hay fever, for example, one remedy that might be considered is Allium cepa, or red onion. We all know what happens when we cut an onion. We often experience burning, itchy eyes and profuse tears rolling down the face. You might get a feeling of congestion under the eyes and nasal discharge. For some people this is exactly what their hay fever feels like, and may be given this homeopathic medicine to help with these symptoms.
However, everyone’s symptoms are different. Therefore, everyone might need a slightly different homeopathic medicine for their own unique version of hay fever.
Below are five different homeopathic medicines you can use at home to work with the body and its own innate ability to heal.
Allium cepa – Hay fever with acrid nasal discharge which burns the upper lip. Kids with red streaks from nasal discharge underneath their nose. Burning in the eyes, watery eyes with lots of tears. Sneezing and burning in the nose, watery discharge and burning or tickling in the throat. The symptoms are worse in a warm room and better in the open air.
Arsenicum album – Exhausting hay fever. The person may feel quite chilly, but the pains and sensations are burning – burning eyes, hot tears, burning throat. The nose can feel blocked or running or both at the same time. Sneezing does not relieve the congestion. The person is better being inside and worse being in the open air. They may feel anxious or restless about their health.
Pulsatilla – Discharges are thick and yellow-green. Symptoms are always changing, they seem “random” and unconnected to anything. Profuse teary eyes which can become oozy and weepy. Obstructed right nostril and thicker discharge. Chilly, but worse from being in a warm room and wants fresh air. Can feel a bit clingy or needy when unwell.
Sabadillia – Red, burning eyes, lots of water from the eyes and nose, with lots of sneezing in episodes of many sneezes one after the other after the other. Congestion and pain in the frontal sinuses which may affect hearing. The person is worse from cold and cold drinks, and is better from being warmly wrapped up with warm food and drink.
Wyethia – Burning in the mouth and throat with tickling and itching of the palate. Dry cough with hoarseness of the throat. Throat feels hot, dry and swollen or itching and tickling. Itching in the back of the nasal passages and sharp pains in the forehead.
I would love to hear if any of these homeopathic medicines resonate for you! Have you tried any of these? What happened for you?
If you are experiencing prolonged or severe hay fever, or hay fever that seems to lead to other symptoms and complications, please see a trusted health care professional.
To go more deeply into homeopathic care, I am available for consultations on Fridays at Ranges Integrative Health. I can be contacted at info@innerbrilliance.com.au
