Seasonal Allergy Treatment: Hay Fever Natural Remedies

There are various natural and healthy ways to prevent, manage and cure seasonal allergy and hay fever symptoms.

Allergy relief stores offer countless medicines during allergy seasons but an increasing number of hay fever suffers are opting for natural remedies. Here are some suggestions for natural hay fever treatments that are actually more effective than conventional drugs.

What is Hay Fever?

Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, causes cold-like symptoms such as a runny nose, coughing, headache, itching of eyes, sneezing, congestion and sinus pressure. But unlike a cold, hay fever isn't caused by a virus but by an allergic response. Hay fever affects about one in five people and one of the most common allergic conditions.

Hay Fever Relief – Things to Eat

Hay fever is an indication that the immune system is not functioning properly. Eating a balanced diet is a must.

Eat a non-inflammatory diet such as fatty fish salmon, tuna and sardines. Eat salads with olive oil. Drink plenty of filtered or pure water regularly. Increase your intake of Vitamin C, protein, fresh ginger and garlic. Eat whole organic foods.

Allergy Relief – What Not to Eat

Eliminating certain foods during allergy season may help reduce symptoms. Many hay fever sufferers find alcohol worsens the symptoms. According to Dr. Earl Mindell, author of Allergy Bible, if a person is allergic to grass pollens, he may be allergic to tomato and melon. People with ragweed allergies may also be allergic to bananas and honey. If people are allergic to silver birch may develop allergies to apples, peaches, cherries, carrots and nuts.

Some studies suggest a high-sugar diet, or a diet rich in refined carbohydrates such as white and processed flour, can worsen allergy symptoms. Avoid foods that are laden with saturated fat such as red meat and full fat dairy products as saturated fat promotes inflammation in the body which may aggravate your allergy symptoms. Avoid all processed foods and caffeine.

Herbal Remedies for Hay Fever Allergies

Peppermint and chamomile tea work for some hay fever suffers. Other herbs that may be effective are butterbur, stinging nettle, luffa complex (also called pollisan), ginkgo, ephedra (ma huang), guercetin, evening primrose, and so on. These are normally found at a natural foods store, health store, or online.

Acupuncture as a Hay Fever Treatment

Acupuncture is one of the oldest healing practices in the world and has been used to cure and prevent many illnesses and diseases in Asia for many centuries. It boosts the immune system by stimulating specific points on the body with small needles. Acupuncture is known to be very effective and often used to cure the seasonal allergy and hay fever symptoms. The effect of acupuncture can be instantaneous but it may wear off after a while. Some people need another treatment after a couple of weeks. It is important to find the qualified and experienced acupuncturist. During the treatment, patients should not feel the pain at all.

When hay fever strikes during allergy seasons, try to be extra healthy by eating the right food and exercising.