Natural
Ways to Ease the Seasonal Sneeze!
After a very long winter, it
seems that Spring has now finally arrived. For many of us, it is a time of year
that brings new life and renewed energy, lighter mornings and nights and nature
itself truly starts to awaken once more. We start looking forward to the
Summer, and begin to plan our holidays, time with friends & family and long
days in the outdoors. We could liken it to our emergence from Hibernation!
However, for some of us, the return of Spring also brings the misery of
Hayfever Season!
Usually encountered in the spring and early summer, hayfever it is part
of the group of health conditions known as’ allergic rhinitis’ – an allergic
reaction to airborne substances which lead to inflammation in the lining of the
nose, throat and eyes. People prone to the condition tend to develop the
problem during their teenage years, and although the condition lessens in
severity with age, it can certainly linger well into late adulthood. In the main, these airborne substances are pollens
from grass, trees or flowers. In temperate climates such as in the UK and
Ireland, pollen levels increase dramatically in spring as nature comes to life,
and as the weather warms up and we head into the summer months, grass, bushes,
trees and other plants grow and develop in a coordinated fashion. In this way,
pollen levels are highest during spring and early summer
The
main symptoms of hayfever are experienced in the eyes, nose and throat. These commonly
include:
·
Sneezing
·
Itchy or
runny nose
·
Irritation
at the back of the throat
·
Itchy or runny eyes
·
Blocked nose
·
Dry cough
There is evidence that hayfever
is on the rise, with one in five of the UK population now suffering with the
condition, a number that has trebled in the last 20 years and alarmingly, still
on the increase. Jean Emberlin, Scientific Director of Allergy UK explains
“Around 16 million people in the
Britain suffer from hayfever and the figure is expected to rise to 30 million
within the next two decades. 95% of hayfever sufferers are allergic to grass
pollen. One in four is allergic to birch and one in five allergic to oak”
She goes on to say,
“there is substantial evidence
from pollen monitoring records and from vegetation surveys to show the timing
of some of the pollen seasons has been changing in the UK and across Europe
over the last few decades” this is in addition to longer pollen seasons and
increasing pollen loads. Air pollution is also contributing to this increase,
acting as an irritant to the respiratory system making more people susceptible
to symptoms whilst indirectly interacting with pollen allergens and making them
more potent."
This is not the news that
millions of UK hayfever sufferers want to hear! The bottom line is - hayfever
is now becoming an all year round war, with the arrival of Spring posing the
biggest battle!
So, what can we do to ‘arm’
ourselves and help minimise the effects of pollen on our health?
There are
numerous over the counter remedies that offer some relief, antihistamines,
decongestants, nasal sprays, eye drops and steroids are just a few examples. However,
if the latest research is anything to go by, some of these over the counter and
prescribed remedies need to be approached with caution. A recent study from the
Indiana University School of Medicine has found that a certain group of over
the counter and prescribed medication, hayfever medication included, could be
linked to the development of dementia and Alzheimers in older adults. The
scientists have found a link between the prolonged use of ‘anticholinergenics’
(which include some hayfever treatments) and reduced brain size and poorer
cognitive performance, whilst the drug users also had lower levels of glucose
metabolism in the brain – a biomarker for brain activity that leads to
Alzheimers.
With this startling evidence in
mind...Are there more natural options available to help alleviate the symptoms
of Hayfever? In short, yes. Fortunately, there are certain nutrients and
botanical medicines that can provide primary therapy or be used in combination
with conventional methods and they might just make all the difference between
enjoying the spring and summer months, spending it sneezing, or
worse...indoors!
Supporting Hayfever...naturally!
Pycnogenol
Otherwise known as
French Maritime Pine Bark, Pynogenol, is a nutritional supplement which offers
a range of extensive and proven health benefits, one of which is to reduce
inflammation. This natural process is a response to external factors such as
air pollutants such as dust or pollen. Pycnogenol contains a rich blend of of
antioxidants known as bioflavanoids, some of which are also found in fresh
fruit and vegetables. Its antioxidant activity is approxiametely 30 times
stronger than Vitamin E and 50 times stronger than vitamin C. A double-blind
placebo-controlled study showed that Pycnogenol supplementation can improve
allergy symptoms when started at least five weeks before allergy season.
Subjects who received Pycnogenol five to eight weeks before allergy season
exhibited 35% less eye allergy symptoms and 20% less nasal allergy symptoms.
Those who showed the greatest reduction in allergy symptoms were individuals that began
Pycnogenol supplementation seven to eight weeks prior to the allergy season.
Quercetin
Research supports the use of Quercetin as a natural anti
histamine, stabilising the mast cells which release all the cause of the
misery. Certain drugs can block the effect of histamine, but quercetin inhibits
the release, without any side effects. Quercetin is a flavonoid (plant pigments
that give fruit, vegetables and flowers their colour) and found in a wide variety
of herbs and vegetables, for example onions, apples, parsley, sage and green
tea.Olive oil, grapes, dark cherries, and dark berries such as blueberries,
blackberries and bilberries are also high in quercetin. It is now widely
available as a food supplement.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C has been found to exert a number of effects on
histamine. It appears to prevent the secretion of histamine by white blood
cells and increase its detoxification. Histamine levels were found to increase
exponentially as ascorbic acid (vitamin C) levels in the plasma decreased.
Vitamin C also supports the Immune system and may also have anti-inflammatory
effects. Camu Camu, an Amazonian berry like fruit, is a fantastic source of
vitamin C. In 1957 the Instituto de Nutricion in Peru undertook the first nutritional
analysis of the fruit and found that the acidic fruit was jam packed with
vitamin C, containing 30 to 50 times the vitamin C of oranges! Since this
initial analysis, many more have been undertaken and have shown promising
anti-aging, cognitive, anti-inflammatory, immune, vision, and antiviral
benefits. The fruit has a powerful concentration of antioxidants also. Camu
Camu can be found in powder form in selected, independent health stores and can
be mixed easily with water or smoothies.
Nettle
Nettles
(urtica) are especially good if you have high histamine levels & suffer
from ‘prickly heat’, they work as a blood tonic and help reduce histamine
levels. They also contain Silica which may help strengthen lung tissue. Nettle
can be found in the form of tincture, tablets or tea bags.
Euphrasia (Eyebright)
The
Homeopathic Remedy ‘Euphrasia’ (Eyebright) is also an effective remedy to ease
the irritation of itchy, inflamed eyes and a consultation with a qualified
Homeopath will ensure you get a remedy tailored to your unique symptoms.
Luffa
Luffa is a useful herb if symptoms manifest around the eyes
and nose. Swift in its effect, it appears to deal with both blocked and runny
noses, as well as watery and itchy eyes and a tickly throat. As it is taken
internally, it is a good option for those who wear contact lenses and can’t use
eye drops. It isn’t contraindicated with other medication, including other
hayfever medication.
Spirulina
Spirulina a blue green algae often referred to as a
‘superfood’ due to the abundance of nutrients contained within, however
research has also shown it to be effective in tackling some of the symptoms of
allergic rhinitis. A double blind, placebo controlled study, evaluated the
effectiveness and tolerability of spirulina and discovered that it was
clinically effective on allegic rhinitis when compared with a placebo.
Spirulina consumption significantly improved the symptoms and physical findings
compared with placebo including nasal discharge, sneezing, nasal congestion and
itching. Spirulina can be purchased as an organic, raw freeze dried powder for
greatest benefits and absorption or in tablet form.
Local Honey
Regular consumption of raw, local honey during the hayfever
season may also offer significant relief. A randomized controlled study conducted
by the International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, showed that patients
who consumed honey had significantly better control of their allergy symptoms
than those on conventional allergy medications. Local honey works to relieve
symptoms because it contains local pollen that is causing your allergies. A
couple of tablespoons each day may relieve your itchy, watery eyes, congestion
and the general symptoms of hay fever
Probiotics
Ongoing research is also showing promising results for the
use of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of allergic rhinitis, one
study highlighting a reduction in number of symptoms and another indicating
that they may reduce the number of allergic episodes. With all of the other
well known benefits of probiotics on offer, it may be worthwhile adding a
quality probiotic supplement to your daily regimen.
All of these remedies can be
found at a quality Independent Health Store near you. For additional tips on
how you can ease the sneeze this hayfever season why not drop into Bare Health,
Congleton? Our experienced team will be more than happy to offer nutritional
support and guidance on how to source the highest quality supplements to
receive the full benefits.
The content contained within this article is solely for
information purposes. Always remember to consult your GP or healthcare
professional if taking prescribed medication or undergoing any form of
treatment prior to embarking on any new supplement regimen. If you have any
concerns about prolonged use of ‘anticholinergenic’ then please approach your
GP for advice.
References:
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S132389301530719X
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3314669/
http://naturalsociety.com/camu-camu-berry-benefits-vitamin-c-health-gem/
http://news.medicine.iu.edu/releases/2016/04/anticholinergics-brain-effects.shtml
http://umm.edu/health/medical/altmed/condition/allergic-rhinitis
