Top Herbal Help for Hayfever
Spring is often linked to a sense of renewal. As the daylight hours stretch longer, temperatures become warmer, and blossoms emerge, many of us find a new spring in our step. Yet for others it's a time of, well… misery.
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you know that spending time outdoors can be followed by sneezing, runny nose, watery eyes and even asthma attacks all triggered by the immune system simply reacting to pollen in the air.
So what’s happening? And why do some people suffer more than others with “hayfever”?
Why some people suffer with “hayfever”?
Spring pollen can cause a tough time with allergies for some.
It’s all got to do with something called the “allergic load”.
Everyone has an inbuilt tolerance level in the immune system for external irritants. Let’s imagine everyone gets 100 tolerance points. If you’re someone who gets hayfever from the pollen around you and you go bushwalking your “allergic load” is suddenly notching up 50 points.
On top of that, if you have a moderate intolerance to dairy but eat a lot of cheese at your next spring picnic, your allergic load increases by another 30 points.
On the way home you visit your friend for a cuppa who has a cat and before you know it, another 30 points has tipped your body over the limit. Now your body is in fight mode desperately trying to keep your allergies at bay. On the inside, there is a lot going on. Cortisol and histamine are running rampant as your body tries to tame the inflammation.
Your immune cells are saying:
“I don’t like you, pollen, dairy and cat hair, so I will release chemicals to fight these unwanted guests.”
Fortunately, there are a variety of herbs that work wonderfully well to support your immune system - and lessen the symptoms of seasonal allergies.
In the clinic, I will start by looking at a person’s underlying food intolerances (even subtle ones) that are contributing to your body’s heightened inflammation status, (e.g. dairy, gluten, eggs, corn and soy) as these are easy to identify and fix through an elimination diet.
Dairy contributes to mucus formation and sugar depresses the immune system so reducing dairy and sugar intake can really help. Next up are external factors like mold, dust and pet allergies. Ask yourself, are there ways to avoid or reduce these in your household?
The main goal for reducing allergic responses is not to turn off the body’s inflammatory system (we need it!) but rather to nourish the immune system with herbs that lessen the severity of the symptoms and even eliminate the underlying cause of the reaction itself.
Below are two herbs that work well to reduce allergies once Spring time hits.
Nettle leaf (Urtica dioica)
You may have heard the stinging Nettle plant is something you don’t want to come across on your bushwalk. The little hairs that run along the leaf can inject histamines into the skin and cause a very unpleasant reaction. But did you know that Nettle actually supports allergies through its potent anti-inflammatory response?
A study showed that Nettle extract inhibited a number of inflammatory events that can cause sneezing, itching and redness as part of an allergic reaction (Roschek et al).
A close-up of Nettle leaves.
Case study
One of my very first healing experiences with herbs happened with Nettle. Many years ago, my daughter had come home from school covered in little red bumps, all up and down her arms and torso. The next day the itchy allergy-type rash spread to her neck and face. I made her a strong cup of Nettle tea each to drink everyday and within three days, the rash had almost but disappeared. It all seemed quite miraculous.
But the potency of Nettle really shouldn’t be underestimated. Nettle acts by giving nourishment and strength to mucus membranes, helping to drain away mucus from blocked tissues, as well as, decreasing histamine production internally.
2. Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)
As the name suggests, the classic herb for allergic eyes is Eyebright. Known for strengthening the tensile structure and nerves of the eyes, it is a wonderful herb for easing the discomfort of red, itchy and sore eyes (Jones, 1994). Its anti-histamine properties also help clear mucus membranes.
After taking Eyebright, you will likely notice the cloudy film of your eyes has cleared up and your eyes look brighter and less tired.
The best way to take Eyebright is in tincture form, but a herbal infusion to directly wash out the eye, or a soothing compress soaked in a herbal blend also works. The compress method is my favourite method when working with children.
Whether allergies affect you only a little bit, or quarantine you from the outside entirely, herbs can play a vital role in nourishing and replenishing the body’s natural immune responses
Warmest wishes,
- Jessica x
References:
Roschek B, Fink RC, McMichael M, Alberte RS. (2009) Nettle extract (Urtica dioica) affects key receptors and enzymes associated with allergic rhinitis. Phytotherapy Research. 23(7):920-6.