My Top 5 Hay Fever Tips
If you suffer from hay fever you are likely to be dreading the next few months. With Spring almost done (at least here in the Southern Hemisphere) and Summer around the corner, most of us are celebrating longer days and new flowers blooming. But along with these things comes an increase in pollen in the air which can be very difficult for hay fever sufferers.
What happens?
For people who suffer from hay fever, when their body comes into contact with certain airborne substances it can cause an exaggerated allergic reaction. Usually these substances include pollen from grasses, trees, weeds or airborne mould spores. What happens next varies from person to person, but can include itchy eyes, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing and more.
If you suffer like I do, today I bring you good news! Your days don’t have to be spent inside. You don’t have to pop antihistamines.
Here are my top 5 tips for dealing with hay fever nastiness.
1. Eat more honey
If you want to desensitise yourself to other pollens, try eating honey. Honey contains bee pollen which will help to desensitise your body, much like giving your body a shot of natural pollen ‘vaccine’.
Try local honey as that will reflect the pollen in your area and if possible increase your intake before hay fever season.
2. Learn to love onions and garlic
Garlic and onions contain quercetin, a natural antihistamine which is great for this time of year. They both also can act as anti-inflammatory, and garlic has the added benefit of being a decongestant.
Like honey, it is best to increase the amount you eat 1-2 months prior to the season, but I like to try and eat them all year around.
Ideally they should be eaten raw to maximise the benefits however this isn’t always feasible…or pleasant! Maybe try your natural health food store for some capsules instead and try and incorporate them more into your diet.
Other foods that contain quercetin include apples, parsley, legumes, broccoli, lettuce, berries and many more.
3. Enjoy Omega 3 fatty acid foods
Cold water fish (like salmon and tuna) and almonds are high in Omega 3 fatty acid which can help to reduce allergic reactions. Flaxseeds, sardines, soybeans, brussel sprouts and cauliflower are also high in Omega 3 fatty acids (and delicious!).
4. Meditation, visualisation and distressing
Stress can be a factor in bringing on an allergic reaction, so it is important to minimise your stress levels and keep on and even keel. Many hay fever sufferers indulge in meditation and visualisation before they face the day to better prepare their body.
Yoga is another activity that is great to de-stress. Back bends are some of the best poses because they open up your chest and lungs.
5. Avoid these things
Dairy – dairy produces mucus, so the more you eat, the more mucus you produce. Gluten and meat can also increase mucus production, so if possible limit these foods.
Coffee – as much as you may hate me saying this, coffee stresses your already stressed adrenal glands. Give them a break! 🙁 I love my coffee, too!
Alcohol – a congested liver is not good for hay fever sufferers.
In addition, we know that pollen in the air is highest before 10am and after sunset, so if you can minimise your time in the outdoors during these periods, this will help.
If you are suffering a reaction, try chamomile tea. Chamomile tea can act as an antihistamine, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Have a cup of it to calm your body down, or if suffering from swollen red eyes, use a cold chamomile tea bag as a compress.
Submerge the teabag in hot water, then remove it and place it in the fridge to cool down. Once it is cool, place it against your eye for a few minutes at a time.
Have you tried any of these remedies? What works for you? I’d love to hear your feedback.
Julie Lewin – a world renowned Medical Intuitive started her journey in the art of intuition in 1984. She appeared in four episodes of the TV show “The Extraordinary” which was syndicated to 22 countries. She’s a published author, Amazon #1 Bestseller and has a Bachelor in Metaphysical Science. Julie won the Our Internet Secrets Business Builder Award 2013, has founded a charity, and runs transformational retreats.
