The special focus at this time of year is on the homeopathic treatment of hayfever and allergic rhinitis.

Both caused by allergies to airborne irritants, but whereas hayfever is mainly a summer ailment, allergic rhinitis occurs all the year round; often aggravated by some form of food allergy.  In both conditions there is usually a family history of ASTHMA or ECZEMA.  Grass, tree and flower pollens, and mould spores from trees, are the culprits in hayfever; in allergic rhinitis the range of irritants is much wider - hair, skin, fur, feathers, house dust mites, cigarette smoke, various smells.  The body over-reacts to some or all of these, producing histamine which draws fluid to the site most affected, causing stinging eyes, redness, heat, swelling, itching and repeated sneezing. 

These are deep-seated conditions that often require constitutional treatment by a homeopath for long-term relief.  Homeopathic preparations from pollens and other allergens called “nosodes” can also be given as preventatives.  Remedies can be accurately matched to the individual for homeopathic desensitisation. If you dread the onset of springtime because of the associated worsening / commencement of your hayfever symptoms then a homeopathic nosode of mixed pollen would be a good first choice.

Self-treatment of minor symptoms is also possible.  A few of the main remedies and their indications are listed below.  There are about 30 homeopathic remedies for hayfever listed in the materia medica.   A 6c or 30c potency can be taken 1-3 times per day.  Once symptoms are relieved stop regular doses and take a dose only as required.

Allium Cepa - Red eyes.  Tears with smarting eyes.  Thin watery discharge from nose.  Much sneezing especially when entering a warm room and first thing in the morning.  Better for cool fresh air.

Euphrasia – Burning watery eyes with swelling of eyelids and sensitivity to light.  Profuse clear discharge from nose.  Cough with phlegm especially during the day.

Arsenicum – Sneezing without relief.  Thin watery, burning, excoriating nasal discharge.  Eyes intensely sensitive to light.  Blocked nose.

Sabadilla – Intense itching and tickling in nose with desire to rub it.  Alternate nostrils blocked.  Violent sneezing with runny or dry nose.  Headache.  Chilly.

Sulphur – Frequent sneezing with a lot of offensive catarrh.  Eyes are red and watery and itch during the day.

Gelsemium – Non-stop sneezing.  Heavy puffy and watery eyes.  Feeling apathetic, listless, dizzy and shaky.

Nux Vomica – If hayfever symptoms are accompanied by itchiness inside ears and Eustachian tubes and general irritability.

Nat Mur – If hayfever symptoms accompanied by profuse watery discharge dripping down back of throat, cold sores.  Profuse discharge alternates with blocked nose.

Mixed Pollen - Eases most types of seasonal hayfever brought on by the most common pollens that cause hayfever.

 Other Self Help

Try to eat a diet which consists of 50% raw salads and fruits, and reduce the amount of sugar you eat.  Some sufferers find that extra vitamin C + bioflavanoids helps.

 Treatment Approach

The treatment approach to hay fever is a 'war on several fronts'.  First there is the obvious question of desensitisation.  Homeopathic desensitisation consists of identifying the causative allergens and making preparations of doses in fairly high potency to regulate the body’s immune response.  If the system is particularly toxic then homeopathic combination preparations are prepared to strengthen the system and treat at many levels at once.

 Often sufferers have a digestive system imbalance and this needs to be treated simultaneously.  It is no good aiming at one symptom at a time – all cases must be approached and treated holistically.  This may consist of specialist supplements to balance the digestive function or concentrated mineral/vitamin supplements to ensure correct nutrition.  No part of the human organism operates like a island – completely separate from all the rest of the parts. 

 Treatment may also include Chinese herbals and needle free acupuncture to balance the meridians.

 Sometimes stress plays a role and if this is the case, treatment is broadened to include boosting the stress coping mechanisms of the body and or relaxation treatment.