Homeopathic Remedies for Seasonal Allergies
What Are Seasonal Allergies?
Seasonal allergies affect over 60 million people yearly in the United States. It’s so common that many news stations and weather apps report on the pollen count which is the number of pollen particles in the air. Seasonal allergies tend to be the worst from August to Mid-September and are mainly caused by pollen. Pollen is any tiny seed shedding from flowering plants, trees, grass, and weeds. The amount and type of pollen in the air depend on the season and region. Allergies tend to get worse after a big rain or windstorm when the pollen collects in one area or on cars.
Most people associate pollen with your car being covered in a fine layer of yellow dust but there are many varieties with some particles so small that you cannot see them. Other common allergies are ragweed, sagebrush, pigweed, tumbleweed, birch, cedar, and oak. Certain types of molds can also trigger seasonal allergies.
The term “seasonal allergies” can also be referred to as hay fever and/or allergic rhinitis.
What Are the Symptoms of Seasonal Allergies?
Symptoms can vary in severity and type based on many factors. They can include any and/or all of the following. Seasonal allergies are triggered because your body sees the pollen as a foreign matter and goes to attack it.
- Runny nose
- Itchy eyes, nose, and throat
- Red, watery eyes
- Headaches
- Congestion
- Skin irritation
- Coughing and sneezing
- Fatigue
What are the Best Homeopathic Remedies?
There are dozens of homeopathic remedies to help battle seasonal allergies. Unlike conventional treatment which just treats symptoms for instant relief, homeopathic treatment targets both instant relief and helps the body correct the attack long term. Homeopathic treatments help neutralize your immune system so that it doesn’t overreact and attack your body during allergy season. Typically, the intensity and frequency of the symptoms gradually decrease after each attack. Homeopathic medicine comes in several different forms including ointment, gels, drops, creams, and tablets.
If you’re not exactly sure what triggers your allergies, there are two types of tests you can take to find out what your allergens are. The first test is called the Skin Prick Test (STP) where a nurse drops a small number of sample allergens on your skin before lightly pricking or scratching the spot with a needle through the drop. Whatever you’re allergic to you will develop redness, swelling, and itching at the testing spot. You may also see a wheal, a small, raised patch of skin, similar to hives. The second type of testing is the Specific IgE Blood Test. Once your blood is taken, the lab technician adds the allergen to your blood sample. After that is done, they measure the number of antibodies your blood produces when it’s attacking the allergens.
Once you know what your allergens are, you are better equipped to manage them homeopathically. Follow the guide below to figure out what will work best for you.
- Natrum Mur – sodium chloride mixture to neutralize watery nose and eyes, early morning sneezing, and relief from a runny and/or stuffy nose
- Sabadilla Officinalis – comes from a part of the lily plant and improves the body’s natural defenses to help with sneezing attacks, tickling in the nose, and headaches
- Allium Cepa – derived from red onions, Allium Cepa is great for respiratory infections, coughing, stuffed and/or runny nose, and sore throat.
- Euphrasia Officinalis – used for runny nose and irritated watery eye discharge.
- Arsenic Iod – reduces swelling, inflammation, and congestion.
- Arum Triphyllum – meant to relieve sore throats.
- Arundo Mauri – reduces sneezing and itchiness of nose and roof of the mouth.
- Arsenic Album – used for sore throats, and chest problems accompanied by a burning sensation, weakness, restlessness, and anxiety.
- Wyethia – provides relief from sore and/or dry throat and reduces pain caused while swallowing.
- Dulcamara – used for joint pain due to seasons change.
- Ambrosia – reduces red, watery eyes caused by ragweed.
- Galphimia Glauca – used to treat burning and watery eyes and nose also reduces swelling of the eyes and helps sneezing fits.
- Histaminum – reduces the hypersensitivity of the immune system and reduces sneezing, runny nose, and congestion.
- Justicia Adhatoda – reduces sneezing and watery eyes.
- Luffa Operculata – helps soothe a stuffy nose and sneezing.
What Else Can I Do or Use to Sooth Seasonal Allergies?
- Stay inside/avoidance
- Air Filters – purifies the air of any allergen particles
- Neti Pots: clears nasal passages of any allergen particles
- Bromelain (found in pineapple and papaya): reduces swelling
- Local honey and bee pollen: helps your body get used to the allergen
- Probiotics: helps soothe symptoms
- Spirulina: anti-allergy
- Turmeric: anti-inflammatory
- Quercetin: reduces histamine levels (found in broccoli, cauliflower, green tea, and citrus fruits)
- Vitamin C: reduces histamine levels
- Peppermint Oil: anti-inflammatory
- Eucalyptus Oil: anti-inflammatory
- Butterbur (Petasites hybridus): used as an oral antihistamine and reduces itchy eyes
