Manage Your Hay Fever Naturally

By Pam Fischer

Approximately 60 million people suffer from hay fe-ver, also called allergic rhinitis. The greenhouse effects of global warming are making the pollen season last longer and exacerbating hay fever symptoms. In 2000, hay fever sufferers spent $6 million on prescription medication to treat their symptoms – medications that fail to heal the underlying problem.

Herbal medicine and food therapy can be quite effective in treating the underlying issue and helping to reduce, and in some cases, eliminate the problem. Hay fever is caused by a hyper reaction of the immune system that releases histamines and in turn, causes an inflammation of Mast cells found in the mucus membranes. This means that the body reacts to pollen as if it is a virus or bacteria. Sneezing, itchy nose, sinusitis, headache and blocked nasal passages are common symptoms resulting from Mast cell inflammation.

One theory about the cause of hay fever is that our immune system is under constant pressure; environmental toxins are more pervasive than ever, our diets lack essential nutritional elements, we rely on foods that provide short bursts of energy and suppress immunity, and constant stress further lowers immune health. Hay fever is a sign of a depleted immune system that can no longer distinguish between a natural substance and a harmful intruder.

A number of issues can be addressed to relieve the immune system and restore health and vitality. We can also work on toning the digestive tract and liver that are often hidden factors exacerbating hay fever. These approaches can take many years, but they are well worth the effort.

1. I recommend getting plenty of sleep, up to 8 hours or more every night. The basis for all healing, sleep is the most powerful medicine for the immune system.
2. Eat organically - it not only takes the toxic load off the body, it also decreases pollution affecting the Earth.
3. Remove mucus-making foods from your diet now. Eliminate dairy, sugar, and wheat (white colored foods) because they increase the amount of mucus in your body, as well as causing swelling and discomfort.
4. Eliminate white sugar because it suppresses the immune system for up to three hours. Substituting with honey or another sweet substance is not a good alternative. Try to eat a piece of fruit instead; it's surprising how sweet an apple can be!
5. Eat the colorful fruits and vegetables; they contain bioflavonoids and antioxidants. These substances help stabilize cellular membranes and reactive Mast cells. Try to eat seasonally available, local foods. Make it a game to have as many colors on your daily plate as possible.
6. Support liver health by increasing bitter flavored foods, such as bitter greens: kale, chard, dandelion leaves and mustard greens. Research has shown that people with allergies lack hydrochloric acid (HCL) in their stomachs. Bitter flavored foods and herbs increase the production of HCL.
7. Drink burdock tea in the morning and evening to support liver and digestive health.

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