How do natural remedies alleviate hay fever symptoms. What are the most effective home treatments for seasonal allergies. How can you manage hay fever without medication. Which natural ingredients provide relief from pollen allergies.

Understanding Hay Fever and Its Impact

Hay fever, also known as seasonal rhinitis, affects a significant portion of the population, with nearly half (49%) of UK residents suffering from this condition. As the number of allergy sufferers continues to rise, finding effective remedies becomes increasingly important. While there’s no cure for hay fever, various natural remedies can help manage symptoms and provide relief.

Hay fever symptoms typically include:

• Sneezing
• Itchy eyes
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Scratchy throat
• Coughing
• Headache
• Earache

While antihistamines are the standard treatment, many people seek natural alternatives to avoid drowsiness and other side effects. Natural remedies can be cost-effective and offer additional health benefits beyond allergy relief.

Bee Products: Nature’s Allergy Fighters

Bee pollen and honey have gained popularity as natural remedies for hay fever. Bee pollen, a mixture of nectar, flower pollen, bee secretions, wax, and enzymes, is believed to help build resistance to allergens and reduce symptoms over time.

Can local honey help with hay fever? Some people believe that consuming local honey exposes you to small amounts of local pollen, potentially building tolerance similar to allergy shots. While scientific evidence is limited, many allergy sufferers report positive results from incorporating bee products into their diet.

It’s important to note that while bee pollen is generally well-tolerated, it may contain allergenic substances. Individuals with severe allergies should consult a healthcare professional before trying bee-related remedies.

The Power of Vitamin C in Allergy Management

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, has shown promise in managing hay fever symptoms. As a natural antihistamine and antioxidant, vitamin C may help reduce the amount of histamine produced by the body, potentially alleviating allergy symptoms.

Several small-scale studies have demonstrated positive results when participants received vitamin C intravenously or via nasal spray. These studies reported reduced histamine levels and decreased symptoms such as nasal congestion and sneezing. While more extensive research is needed, the initial findings suggest that vitamin C could be a valuable addition to hay fever management strategies.

Incorporating Vitamin C into Your Diet

To harness the potential benefits of vitamin C for hay fever relief, consider increasing your intake of vitamin C-rich foods, such as:

• Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruits)
• Berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
• Kiwi fruit
• Bell peppers
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts

Additionally, vitamin C supplements are widely available and may be beneficial for those seeking higher doses. However, it’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new supplement regimen.

Herbal Teas: Soothing Relief for Allergy Symptoms

Herbal teas, particularly chamomile and nettle, have long been recommended for their potential anti-inflammatory properties. These natural remedies may help combat hay fever symptoms and provide relief from allergy-related discomfort.

Chamomile Tea: A Versatile Remedy

Chamomile tea is rich in antioxidants and contains flavonoids that act as anti-inflammatories. This soothing beverage can be enjoyed in two ways to address hay fever symptoms:

1. As a drink: Sipping on chamomile tea may help reduce internal inflammation.
2. As a compress: Applying cooled chamomile tea bags to swollen eyes can provide relief from redness and irritation.

To make a chamomile eye compress:

1. Steep a chamomile tea bag in hot water for at least 3 minutes.
2. Remove the tea bag and gently squeeze out excess water.
3. Refrigerate the tea bag for 15-30 minutes.
4. Apply the cooled tea bag to the affected eye for up to 5 minutes.
5. Allow your eye to rest for at least an hour before reapplying.

Remember to use a fresh tea bag for each eye to prevent the spread of infection.

Nettle Tea: A Traditional Allergy Aid

Nettle tea has been used for centuries to alleviate allergy symptoms. Rich in vitamin C, nettles may help reduce sneezing and itching associated with hay fever. Preliminary studies have shown promising results, though more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness.

When preparing nettle tea, ensure that the leaves are thoroughly washed and steeped in boiled water for several minutes. This process helps extract the beneficial compounds while ensuring safety.

Ginger: A Potent Anti-Inflammatory Agent

Ginger has been utilized for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. Its effectiveness in treating hay fever symptoms stems from its potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidative compounds.

How does ginger help with hay fever? Ginger’s anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce irritation and swelling in the nasal passages, eyes, and throat – common symptoms of hay fever. Additionally, its antioxidative effects can support overall immune function.

To incorporate ginger into your hay fever management routine, consider the following options:

• Brew fresh ginger tea by steeping sliced ginger in hot water
• Add grated ginger to stir-fries, curries, or smoothies
• Try ginger supplements in capsule form (consult with a healthcare provider first)

Whether you prefer fresh or dried ginger, regular consumption may help alleviate hay fever symptoms and provide additional health benefits.

Garlic: Nature’s Decongestant and Immune Booster

Garlic is another powerful natural remedy that may help combat hay fever symptoms. Its effectiveness lies in its unique combination of properties:

• Anti-inflammatory effects
• Natural antihistamine (contains quercetin)
• Decongestant properties
• Immune system support

To maximize the benefits of garlic for hay fever relief, it’s best to consume it raw or crushed. This allows for the release of allicin, the compound responsible for many of garlic’s health benefits. If the strong taste or odor is a concern, garlic capsules are available as an alternative.

When should you start taking garlic for hay fever? For optimal results, consider increasing your garlic intake about one to two months before the hay fever season begins. This proactive approach may help build up your body’s defenses against allergens.

Incorporating Garlic into Your Diet

Here are some ways to add more garlic to your meals:

• Add minced garlic to salad dressings
• Include crushed garlic in homemade pasta sauces
• Roast whole garlic cloves and spread on toast
• Add garlic to soups and stews

Remember, while garlic can be a powerful ally in managing hay fever symptoms, it’s essential to maintain a balanced diet and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

The Importance of Evening Showers for Hay Fever Sufferers

While most people are accustomed to morning showers, hay fever sufferers may benefit significantly from adding an evening shower to their routine. This simple change can make a substantial difference in managing allergy symptoms and ensuring a more comfortable night’s sleep.

Why are evening showers beneficial for hay fever? Throughout the day, pollen can accumulate on your hair, skin, and clothing, especially when pollen counts are high. By showering before bed, you can effectively remove these allergens, preventing them from transferring to your bedding and exacerbating symptoms during the night.

Tips for Effective Evening Showering

1. Use lukewarm water to avoid drying out your skin
2. Wash your hair thoroughly to remove trapped pollen
3. Gently cleanse your face, paying attention to areas around your eyes and nose
4. Change into fresh, pollen-free pajamas after showering
5. Consider using a saline nasal rinse to clear your nasal passages

By incorporating an evening shower into your routine, you create a pollen-free sanctuary in your bedroom, potentially leading to improved sleep quality and reduced allergy symptoms upon waking.

Combining Natural Remedies for Optimal Hay Fever Relief

While each of the natural remedies discussed can be effective on its own, combining multiple approaches may lead to more comprehensive relief from hay fever symptoms. By creating a holistic management plan, you can address different aspects of your allergies and potentially reduce your reliance on conventional medications.

How can you create an effective natural hay fever management plan? Consider the following steps:

1. Identify your triggers: Keep a diary to track when your symptoms are worst and what might be causing them
2. Choose complementary remedies: Select a combination of natural treatments that target different symptoms
3. Establish a routine: Incorporate your chosen remedies into your daily life consistently
4. Monitor your progress: Keep track of your symptoms and adjust your approach as needed
5. Consult with a healthcare professional: Discuss your natural remedy plan with a doctor or allergist to ensure it’s safe and effective for your individual needs

Remember that while natural remedies can be highly effective for many people, severe or persistent symptoms may require medical intervention. Always consult with a healthcare professional if your hay fever symptoms feel unmanageable or significantly impact your quality of life.

Sample Natural Hay Fever Management Plan

Here’s an example of how you might combine various natural remedies throughout the day:

• Morning: Start with a cup of nettle tea and take a vitamin C supplement
• Midday: Enjoy a lunch rich in garlic and ginger
• Afternoon: Apply a cool chamomile compress to soothe itchy eyes
• Evening: Take a thorough shower to remove pollen
• Before bed: Sip on chamomile tea and consider a small amount of local honey

By integrating multiple natural approaches, you create a comprehensive strategy to manage hay fever symptoms throughout the day and night.

Natural remedies for hay fever

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Itchy eyes. Sneezing. Coughing. Ugh, hay fever sucks. If you’re fed up with battling pollen every spring and summer, you’re far from alone. Nearly half (49%) of the UK population suffers from
hay fever.

Although the number of allergy sufferers keeps
rising, there’s still no cure for hay fever, also known as seasonal rhinitis. But you can reduce the symptoms.

The standard treatment is antihistamines, which you can get over the counter or on prescription. But there are other options. You can do many things at home to help manage hay fever symptoms. We’re going to look at the best hay fever home remedies.

Finding a natural hay fever remedy

Natural and home remedies can help soothe the
symptoms of hay fever, which include:

• sneezing
• itchy eyes
• snotty nose
• blocked nose
• scratchy throat
• coughing
• headache
• earache

Using natural remedies at home can be a handy sidekick to your usual antihistamines. Or perhaps you’d prefer to just use natural remedies, as antihistamines can often cause you to feel drowsy. Natural remedies can also be cheaper and have other health benefits.

Bee pollen and honey

Bee pollen is a natural mix of nectar, flower pollen, bee secretions, wax and enzymes. It’s widely used for many conditions, including seasonal allergies like hay fever. The theory is, by ingesting bee pollen for hay fever, you can help build up your resistance to allergens and reduce your
symptoms in the process.

Some people also believe that eating local honey for hay fever means you’ll also be ingesting that local pollen, which would have a similar effect to allergy shots.

NB: Bee pollen is normally well tolerated, but the presence of allergenic pollens and substances can‘t be excluded.

Vitamin C

There’s evidence that vitamin C is beneficial for
allergies. Also known as ascorbic acid, vitamin C is a natural antihistamine and antioxidant. It’s suggested it can reduce the amount of histamine produced by your body.

Several small studies in the US show that when groups of around 100 people or less were given vitamin C intravenously or with a nasal spray, their histamine levels were reduced and symptoms associated with hay fever, such as a snotty nose and sneezing, were

lowered.

Although more studies need to take place, the signs are promising that vitamin C could be a helpful hay fever remedy.

Chamomile and nettle tea

Both chamomile and nettle tea are recommended as anti-inflammatory agents, which could help fight against hay fever symptoms. Chamomile tea is an antioxidant that contains flavonoids, which can act as anti-inflammatories.

You can drink chamomile tea or even make compresses to relieve red, swollen eyes. But make sure you use a fresh compress on each eye to avoid infection.

To make a compress:

• Drop a chamomile teabag in water and leave it for at least three minutes.
• Get rid of the water and squeeze any excess water out of the teabag.
• Put the tea bag in your fridge for 15-30 minutes.
• Once it’s cool, hold the tea bag against your swollen eye for up to five minutes.
• Let your eye breathe for at least an hour before applying a new
  compress.

Nettle tea is also used by many to ease hay fever symptoms. Nettles contain vitamin C, and preliminary studies suggest they can reduce sneezing and itching.

If you make nettle tea for hay fever, make sure the leaves are washed and steeped in boiled water for a few minutes

first.

Ginger

Many of your hay fever symptoms are due to inflammatory issues, including irritation and swelling in your nose, eyes and throat. Ginger has been used to ease health problems for thousands of years, and is proven to contain antioxidative, anti-inflammatory phytochemical
compounds.

Whether fresh or dried, you could try a ginger tea or add ginger to your Friday curry or stir-fry.

Garlic

Increasing your garlic intake a month or two before hay fever season could keep your symptoms at bay. Garlic is an anti-inflammatory and a source of quercetin, a natural antihistamine. It’s also a decongestant and can boost your immune

system.

Garlic is most effective if you eat it raw or
crushed. But if you’re not a fan of the taste, or you have a household who may object, you could pick up garlic capsules from a chemist instead.

Showering

Although most of us hop in the shower first thing, if you’re a hay fever sufferer then you should enjoy an evening shower too. Pollen can cling to your hair and clothes and then end up on your skin, especially when the pollen count is high. Showering before you go to bed can stop pollen getting in your bed and on your sheets, which will only make your symptoms

worse when you’re trying to sleep.

Remedies for hay fever

All the above could be used as potential home remedies for hay fever symptoms. But if your symptoms feel out of control, have a chat with your doctor.

Understanding
what type of pollen affects you can help you plan your day and keep your hay fever in check. And use

Your Pollen Pal each day to see how high the pollen count is in your area.

Act naturally

Hay fever shouldn’t stop you enjoying spring and summer, so take control and show pollen who’s boss. You don’t have to only rely on antihistamines as they can make you feel drowsy. Combining some of these suggestions with natural remedies for hay fever could help you feel better.

FAQs

Are home remedies for hay fever effective?

Only small studies have been made on humans for many of these remedies, but the results are promising. Some of the suggested remedies are said to have other health benefits too.

What’s the best remedy for hay fever?

It’s difficult to say which is best. Everybody responds to treatment differently, and some of us suffer hay fever more than others. The most widely used remedy for hay fever is antihistamines, but many can make you

drowsy.

How do you treat hay fever?

We recommend you talk to your doctor, who will be able to suggest the best treatment for your hay fever. These are the most common medical treatments:

• Antihistamines
• Corticosteroid nasal sprays, tablets or drops
• Nasal decongestants
• Eye drops
• Immunotherapy

 

The content should not substitute medical advice from your personal healthcare provider. Please consult your healthcare provider for recommendations/diagnosis or treatment

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Hay Fever Symptoms: Triggers, Complications, and Treatment

What is hay fever?

Hay fever is a common condition that affects close to 18 million Americans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Also known as allergic rhinitis or nasal allergies, hay fever can be seasonal, perennial (year-long), or occupational. Rhinitis refers to irritation or inflammation of the nose.

Symptoms commonly include:

• runny nose
• nasal congestion
• sneezing
• watery, red, or itchy eyes
• coughing
• itchy throat or roof of the mouth
• postnasal drip
• itchy nose
• sinus pressure and pain
• itchy skin

Symptoms may become long-term if hay fever is untreated.

Read more: Diagnosing a hay fever cough »

Read on to learn more about hay fever symptoms and how to manage or treat them.

Although the symptoms of hay fever and the symptoms of a cold can feel similar, the biggest difference is that a cold will cause a fever and body aches. Treatments for both condition are also very different.

Read more about the differences between allergies and colds »

Other conditions

Other conditions with symptoms similar to hay fever:

• head cold
• infective rhinitis, includes upper respiratory tract infection
• irritant rhinitis, reaction to physical changes or chemicals
• sinusitis

Unlike hay fever, these conditions can also cause fevers.

Hay fever is extremely common in children, though they rarely develop before 3 years of age. But it’s important to treat allergy symptoms, especially in infants and children. Serious hay fever symptoms can develop into long-term health conditions like asthma, sinusitis, or chronic ear infections. Recent studies show that genetics may indicate whether or not your child will develop asthma alongside hay fever.

Younger children may have more trouble dealing with hay fever symptoms. It can affect their concentration and sleeping patterns. Sometimes the symptoms get confused with the common cold. But your child won’t have a fever like they might with the cold and the symptoms will persist beyond a few weeks.

Hay fever symptoms often start immediately after you’re exposed to a specific allergen. Having these symptoms for more than a few days can cause:

• clogged ears
• sore throat
• decreased sense of smell
• headaches
• allergic shiners, or dark circles under the eyes
• fatigue
• irritability
• puffiness under the eyes

Do you have a rash from hay fever? »

Experiencing these symptoms over time can have a negative effect on:

• sleep quality
• asthma symptoms
• quality of life as symptoms may make activities less enjoyable, or cause you to be less productive at work and school, or even require you to stay home from work or school
• ear infections, especially in children
• eyes, or allergic conjunctivitis, which occurs when the allergen irritates the membrane over your eye
• sinus inflammation, which can become sinusitis due to persistent congestion

Some patients say that hay fever feels like a cold, especially if it continues for a long period of time and symptoms get worse.

Hay fever symptoms usually start right after you’re exposed to the allergen. Allergens can be indoors or outdoors seasonally or year-long.

Common allergens include:

• pollen
• mold or fungi
• pet fur or dander
• dust mites
• cigarette smoke
• perfume

These allergens will trigger your immune system, which mistakenly identifies the substance as something harmful. In response to this, your immune system produces antibodies to defend your body. Antibodies signal your blood vessels to widen and for your body to produce inflammatory chemicals, like histamine. It’s this response that causes hay fever symptoms.

Genetic factors

The likelihood of developing allergies also increases if someone in your family has allergies. This study found that if parents have allergy-related diseases, it increases the chances of their children developing hay fever. Asthma, and eczema that isn’t allergy-related, don’t affect your risk factor for hay fever.

Your symptoms may vary depending on the time of the year, where you live, and what types of allergies you have. Knowing these factors can help you prepare for your symptoms. Early springtime often affects people with seasonal allergies, but nature blooms at different times of the year. For example:

• Tree pollen is more common in the early spring.
• Grass pollen is more common in late spring and summer.
• Ragweed pollen is more common in the fall.
• Pollen allergies can be worse on hot, dry days when the wind carries the pollen.

But your hay fever symptoms may appear all year round, if you’re allergic to indoor allergens. Indoor allergens include:

• dust mites
• pet dander
• cockroaches
• mold and fungal spores

Sometimes symptoms for these allergens can appear seasonally too. Allergies to mold spores tend to be worse during warmer or more humid weather.

Hay fever symptoms can also be made worse by other irritants. This is because hay fever causes inflammation in the lining of the nose and makes your nose more sensitive to irritants in the air.

These irritants include:

• wood smoke
• air pollution
• tobacco smoke
• wind
• aerosol sprays
• strong odors
• changes in temperature
• changes in humidity
• irritating fumes

The symptoms of hay fever are almost never immediately dangerous. Allergy testing isn’t required during diagnosis for hay fever. You should see a doctor if your symptoms aren’t responding to over-the-counter (OTC) medications. You can ask your doctor, or specialist, for an allergy test if you’re interested in learning the exact cause of your allergy.

See your doctor if any of the following occur:

• Your symptoms last longer than a week and are bothersome to you.
• OTC allergy medications aren’t helping you.
• You have another condition, like asthma, that is making your hay fever symptoms worse.
• Hay fever occurs all year round.
• Your symptoms are severe.
• The allergy medications you’re taking are causing bothersome side effects.
• You are interested in learning if allergy shots or immunotherapy is a good option for you.

Is it possible to treat hay fever with folk remedies?

Who doesn’t love summer? After all, this is the time of warmth, flowering plants and ripening crops. Unfortunately, there are such people, and there are many of them. Along with warm days, gentle sun comes a lot of trouble. One of these troubles is an allergy to plant pollen or hay fever.

Birch, oak, elm, sunflower, ragweed, timothy grass, quinoa, and fescue are the main plants provoking exacerbation of diseases. The leading symptoms of hay fever include: the appearance of itching or burning eyes, watery eyes, redness of the sclera and eyelids, paroxysmal sneezing, painful coughing, noisy breathing. Ignoring the manifestations of the disease can cause disastrous consequences, up to swelling of the larynx and severe suffocation.

Home remedies are often used as folk remedies for hay fever. They help to alleviate seasonal allergic ailments, which affect more than 30% of the world’s population. However, the use of folk remedies for the treatment of hay fever is recommended as an addition to the therapy prescribed by an allergist. Herbal preparations must be taken together with antihistamines, which contribute to the gradual narrowing of blood vessels, zinc and calcium preparations.

Teas and herbal infusions, of course, will not cure hay fever completely, but they will help eliminate unpleasant manifestations of the disease, as well as strengthen the immune system, reduce fatigue and improve well-being.

1. Using ginger is the best natural remedy for treating hay fever. The plant has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect. Pharmacies sell ready-made teas, but you can also prepare such a medicine yourself at home. Take a fresh rhizome, wash and chop finely or, better, grate it. Brew 40 grams of raw materials with freshly boiled water – half a liter and set aside to brew.

After an hour, mix the filtered product with a small amount of natural honey. It is recommended to use half a glass of medicine at least three times a day. The tool helps to rarefy bronchial secretions, facilitate breathing and increase the body’s defenses.

2. Brew 20 grams of dried crushed flowers of the plant with boiled water – 300 ml. The composition should be infused for two hours. Take a quarter cup of strained drink four times a day.

3. Brew dry, finely chopped butterbur plant, approximately 30 g, in two hundred milliliters of boiling water. After an hour, strain the composition and drink ½ cup of the drug twice a day. The medicine will help in eliminating irritation of the conjunctiva, reducing the frequency of sneezing, as well as minimizing headaches. However, this composition is contraindicated for use by people suffering from allergies to Compositae, in particular chrysanthemums. Read also useful material: “Is hay fever treated with folk remedies?”.

4. Use of green tea. Peppermint tea helps to block the production of histamine, which is responsible for allergic manifestations. Soak the dried leaves of the plant in freshly boiled water – 500 ml. Infuse a drink in a thermos. Drink 100 ml of the strained composition five times a day, or rather replace it with regular mint tea.

5. Healing inhalations will help in the treatment of hay fever. With the help of inhalations, you can get rid of rhinitis and headaches. Pour boiling water into a small container. Add essential eucalyptus oil there – literally two or three drops.

Bend over the container, cover with a towel or blanket. The duration of the procedure is until the water cools. After the first manipulation, you will feel significant relief.

6. Grapefruit decoction will help in strengthening the immune system, eliminating the symptoms of pathology. Peel a couple of grapefruits, place in a saucepan and pour boiling water – 200 ml. Wait until it boils, sweat a little. Cool, combine with a little honey. Drink immediately.

7. Eye wash and lotion. Brew a spoonful of finely chopped calendula flowers with boiled water. Let the composition sit for a bit. After filtering, use as an eye wash. The remedy will relieve irritation and reduce itching.

8. Treatment of hay fever with folk remedies is not complete without herbal preparations. Mix equal proportions of horsetail with licorice, elecampane, viburnum flowers, peppermint leaves, sage. Finely chop the ingredients and brew 30 g of raw materials in half a liter of boiling water. Steep for eight hours, preferably in a thermos. Drink 50 ml of strained drink three times a day.

9. Combine equal amounts of calamus with St. John’s wort, comfrey and cinquefoil rhizomes. Components must be pre-dried and crushed. Stir and steam 40 g of the mixture with freshly boiled water. Set aside for three hours.

Filter and drink half a glass three times a day.

10. Infusion for the treatment of hay fever. Take dried oak and willow bark, yarrow grass, sage leaves, chop and steam with boiling water. After two hours, strain the composition and take 50 ml at least four times a day.

11. Nasal drops. Mix in equal parts dry black poplar buds with meadowsweet, chamomile, St. John’s wort, wild rosemary and cudweed. Finely chop the herbs, pour into a saucepan, pour half a liter of olive oil. Boil, and then set aside for a week in a cool place. Bury in each nasal passage five drops of the drug filtered through three layers of gauze.

You can hardly cure allergies with plants alone. Folk remedies for hay fever in combination with the therapy prescribed by the allergist, you will achieve results, and quickly. The main thing is not to take medicines without a doctor’s prescription, not to abuse the means of both folk and traditional medicine, and not to exceed the dosages indicated in the prescriptions. Take care of yourself and do not neglect the help of a specialist.

Allergy and us – Planet Health

The term “allergy” comes from the Greek words allos – another and ergon – work, activity, and literally means “doing differently.” The substance that can cause an allergic reaction is called allergen .

Allergic diseases are very common and, according to WHO, cover about 40% of the world’s population. So, for example, it is now well known that in some people the fluff or hair of pets causes an unusual reaction of the body, which is called an allergy. But we know that millions of people sleep on feather beds and this does not affect their health in any way.

Interesting fact

In the fourteenth century one of the English bishops fell ill. The doctor Gerolamo Cardano (1501-1576), invited to him from Italy, determined that the bishop had bronchial asthma. The treatment prescribed was a strict diet and exercise, and the doctor urged the replacement of the feather bed on which the bishop slept with a cloth bedding. Following the instructions, the patient recovered. It was a brilliant guess by a renaissance doctor.

Many allergens are known today. They can enter the body from outside or occur in the body itself when tissues are damaged. External allergen s can be biological (bacteria, viruses, fungi and their metabolic products), medicines (antibiotics and others), household (house dust, hair, animal hair, fluff and feathers of birds and others), pollen (pollen wind-pollinated plants), food (citrus fruits, strawberries, chocolate and others), industrial (mineral oils, turpentine, nickel, chromium, household chemicals). A special group of external allergens are physical factors – heat, cold, mechanical and other irritants. It should be borne in mind that, in principle, everything that surrounds a person can cause allergies in some people.

Most often, allergic reactions involve the respiratory organs (pollinosis or hay fever, bronchial asthma, and others), eyes, and skin (conjunctivitis, urticaria, and others). In addition, manifestations of an allergic reaction in the heart, blood vessels, nervous system and gastrointestinal tract are possible. Internal allergies play a major role in the development of rheumatism, systemic lupus erythematosus, nephritis and other diseases.

Photo is illustrative. Source: freepik.com

The main tissue reaction to the allergen can occur immediately – immediate type reaction – or after a few hours (days) – delayed type reaction . So, an immediate type reaction is, for example, allergic bronchospasm, conjunctivitis, rhinitis, urticaria, drug disease, anaphylactic shock and others, which is a consequence of the interaction of allergens with antibodies on the surface of connective tissue cells (so-called mast cells) and blood cells (basophils) . As a result, biologically active substances are released from the above cells – brodikinin, serotonin, prostaglandins and, most importantly, histamine. Subsequently, histamine was isolated from ergot plants and animal tissues. Histamine is a mediator of many metabolic and vital processes of the body, it is the strongest irritant of nerve endings that transmit pain and itching. So, for example, we owe all the “pleasant” sensations that arise after a mosquito bite or a nettle burn to histamine.

Currently, more than 160 food allergens are known, where one of the first places among them is refined wheat flour. Today, nutrition scientists report that the consumption of refined flour, white bread, devoid of dietary fiber, leads to a sharp weakening of intestinal activity, which contributes to premature aging, the development of obesity, diabetes, allergies, diseases of the cardiovascular system, intestinal cancer, etc. .

But metabolic disorders are currently accepted in the 21st century as the basis for the pathogenesis of almost all diseases, incl. and allergic. All this makes many doctors and especially the population seek help in a natural pharmacy – i.e. among plants. The therapeutic activity and effectiveness of which is due to the content in them of a large complex of various and complex in their chemical composition and therapeutic effects of active substances. These substances are successfully used in the treatment and prevention of a number of diseases and, of course, allergies.

Useful fact

Alkaloid-bearing plants widely used for the treatment of allergies: barberry, mordovnik, tea leaves, rauwolfia root, chilibukha seeds, etc.

Application: in the form of water infusions, but better in acidified water, in the form of powders from the above plants and in the form of herbal preparations (tinctures and extracts).

amaranth oil and foodstuffs have an excellent prophylactic for allergies . Thousands of scientific articles have already been devoted to this extraordinary agricultural culture in our country, and even more abroad. Today, only in Europe, more than 100 types of various amaranth products are produced, most of which fall under the definition of functional nutrition. Therefore, each of us needs to include unrefined, rich in all the necessary “omega” oils in our food: linseed, camelina, hemp, corn, sesame, amaranth, wheat germ oil, etc. Gluten-free hypoallergenic amaranth products are essential in the diet, both for allergy sufferers and and with all other diseases up to oncological. Amaranth is a great help even with autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease, it is a building material for our bones, because. is the main supplier of calcium to our body. Amaranth is in no way inferior to milk in calcium content, and therefore it is prescribed for osteoporosis, since its minerals are easily absorbed by our body, helping to maintain the balance of essential trace elements. And amaranth oil also contains squalene, which our body needs like air: it plays the role of a regulator of many metabolic processes responsible for the production of hormones and antibodies, the synthesis of enzymes and vitamins, normalization of cholesterol levels, protection against free radicals, restoration and healing of damaged organs, in including and from allergies.

Essential in the treatment and prevention of allergic diseases is also functional nutrition , where phytotherapy and its alternation method normalize and regulate specific functions and biochemical reactions in the body, reduce the risk of certain diseases, including allergies, and also normalize and strengthen immunity .

Of course, it’s no secret to anyone that the healthier the liver, the healthier we are. To help the overloaded liver, it is necessary to consume more vegetables and infusions from the collections of medicinal plants, taken in alternation.

With food allergies, foods that cause pathological reactions are excluded from the diet. Currently, about 150 anti-mediator drugs are produced in the world, and the attending physician decides what to prescribe. Drug intolerance is one of the most important problems of modern medicine, which account for up to 60% of all cases of a doctor’s house call. For food allergies, avoiding the allergenic food is the most effective way to treat patients. In case of allergy to chicken egg protein, immunization with vaccines grown on chicken embryos (influenza, tick-borne encephalitis, yellow fever, some imported vaccines against measles, rubella and mumps) is contraindicated. Obligate allergens most often cause allergies: cow’s milk, egg white, shellfish, peanuts, hazelnuts, apples, etc. In patients with pollinosis with allergies to the pollen of the corresponding plants: hazel pollen, sunflower seeds, halva, wheat, rye, oats) – flour , cereals, chocolate, coffee, cocoa, fish, strawberries, etc.

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An example of the collection of medicinal plants used in the treatment and long-term prevention of people with a tendency to allergic reactions: 13 Silver birch , leaves — 10

Greater celandine, herb — 15

White lamb, herb — 20

Melissa officinalis, herb — 10

Horsetail, herb — 25

Calendula officinalis, flowers – 10

Greater burdock, roots – 10

Dandelion officinalis, roots – 10

Ivan-tea, herb – 30

Gray blackberry, leaves – 10

Meadowsweet, grass – 20

Mix the collection thoroughly, pour one teaspoon of a mixture of medicinal plants with 250 ml of boiling water and simmer for 30 minutes. Strain, drink 1/5 cup 5-6 times a day in a warm form, taking into account the possibility of an allergic reaction in a patient, in which the infusion is reduced in a dose by half.