What is Hay Fever?
Hay fever is an allergic condition affecting the mucuos membranes of the upper respiratory tract and the eyes. It occurs when your immune system overreacts to normally harmless airborne particles, causing symptoms such as runny nose, itching of your nose, sneezing, nasa l discharge and itchy, watery eyes. It is also called pollinosis or allergic rhinitis.
Hay Fever Symptoms:
Sneezing
Runny nose
Watery eyes
Postnasal drip
Sore throat and roof of mouth
Head congestion
Ear pressure
Sleep disturbances
Nasal discharge
Hay Fever Causes
Of all the causes of allergies, pollen is one of the most widespread. Trees, weeds, and grasses produce pollen in large amounts for seed production. These pollens are dispersed by the wind, and many never reach the intended targets. Instead, they are inhaled through the nose and throat. Different plants release their pollen at different times of the year, so the timing of hay fever symptoms varies from person to person, depending on which plants provoke a response.
Virtually any type of tree or grass may cause hay fever, although plants with showy flowers usually produce a sticky pollen that is much less likely to become airborne. Among North American plants, weeds are the most prolific producers of allergenic pollen. Ragweed is the major culprit, but other plant pollens that routinely affect hay fever sufferers include sagebrush, lamb's quarter, Russian thistle, and English plantain. Grasses include timothy grass, Kentucky bluegrass, Johnson grass, Bermuda grass, redtop grass, orchard grass, and sweet vernal grass. Trees that produce allergenic pollen include oak, ash, elm, hickory, pecan, box elder, and mountain cedar.
Natural Remedies for Hay Fever
1.) Butterbur. The herb butterbur is a shrub-like plant that grows in norhtern Asia, Europe and parts of America. Extracts made from the herb have been used in folk medicine for migraines, stomach cramps, coughs, allergies and asthma. It is being studied as a natural allergy treatment. Although how butterbur works is still not known, it is thought to work in a similar way to allergy medications by blocking the action of histamine and leukotrienes, inflammatory chemicals involved in allergic reactions.But butterbur has some side effects, these include indigestion, headache, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation. This is not prescribed for pregnant women , children or people with kidney or liver disease.
2.)Quercetin. It is an antioxidant that belongs to a class of water-soluble plant substances called flavanoids. Although there is still isn't enough research to conclude that it is effective for hay fever, it is thought to prevent the release of the inflammatory chemical histamine from immune cells called mast cells . Histamine i involved in allergic symptoms such as sneezing and itching.
Quercetin is found naturally in certain foods, such as apples (with the skin on), berries, red grapes, red onions, capers, and black tea.
Quercetin is also available in supplement form. A typical dose for hay fever is between 200 and 400 milligrams three times a day.
3.)Carotenoids. These are family of plant pigments, the most popular being-beta-carotene. Although no randomized controlled trials show taht carotenoids are effective treatments for hay fever, a lack of carotenoids in the diet is thought to promote inflammation in your airways.
Good sources of carotenoids include apricots, carrots, pumpkin, sweet potato, spinach, kale, butternut squash, and collard greens.
3.) Omega-3 Fatty Acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are a type of essential fatty acid that we must obtain through our diet. Research suggests that may they reduce the production of inflammatory chemicals in the body (prostaglandin E2 and inflammatory cytokines). There are no randomized controlled trials showing that omega-3 fatty acids are efective treatments for hay fever, there are associations.
4.)Acupuncture. It is a healing practice that originate in China over 5,000 years ago. Although it has been studied for hay fever, there are too few studies to draw any conclusions about wether it might help.
Hay Fever Treatments:
Alternative treatments for hay fever often focus on modulation of the body's immune response. They frequently center around diet and lifestyle adjustments. A healthy diet high in fiber and whole foods, including generous amounts of vegetables, grains, nuts, and raw seeds should be maintained. Plenty of fluids should be consumed. Six to eight glasses of water daily are recommended, along with plenty of herbal teas. Raw vegetable juices are also beneficial, particularly carrot, celery, beet, cucumber, spinach, and parsley. Meat, dairy, and foods high in saturated fats may aggravate a hay fever condition, and should be limited in the diet. It is also best to avoid dairy products, wheat, eggs, citrus fruits, chocolate, peanuts, shellfish, food colorings, and preservatives, especially sulfites. These are all common food allergens that may worsen hay fever symptoms. Caffeine, alcohol, tobacco, and sugar should be avoided, as well.
