Hay fever complaints, what now?
Spring has arrived: flowers are blooming, bees are buzzing, birds are singing, and the sun is beckoning us outdoors. But for many people, this unfortunately also means the start of hay fever season. Sneezing, itchy eyes, and a stuffy nose are the norm rather than the exception. What exactly is happening in your body, and more importantly: what can you do to alleviate or even prevent hay fever symptoms?
What happens with hay fever?
Flowers, plants, and trees reproduce through pollination. This is largely achieved by releasing pollen into the wind, hoping it will reach other plants. This is a beautiful gesture from Mother Nature, but unfortunately, this floating pollen can also irritate our mucous membranes and trigger an allergic reaction. This is what we call hay fever or pollen allergy.
Our immune system reacts to this as if there's a serious threat and produces histamine. This substance is responsible for typical hay fever symptoms such as sneezing, watery eyes, a scratchy throat, shortness of breath, and difficulty concentrating. In short, your body reacts strongly to something that is inherently harmless.
What can you do about hay fever symptoms?
Fortunately, there are several natural ways to reduce or prevent hay fever symptoms:
1. Choose a low-histamine diet
Histamine is a major trigger of hay fever symptoms. Avoiding histamine-rich foods like aged cheese, tomatoes, spinach, and alcohol may help reduce your symptoms. Instead, choose fresh vegetables like zucchini, cauliflower, and broccoli, and avoid processed foods that may contain hidden histamine.
2. Harness the power of essential oils
Do you suffer from a stuffy nose or a feeling of shortness of breath? Essential oils like eucalyptus, peppermint, and lavender can help you breathe more freely. Diffuse them, add a few drops to a steam bath, or place a drop on your hand or a cotton ball and inhale the scent. You can also apply these oils diluted in a carrier oil to your chest and back for long-lasting relief. Note: if you're using essential oils on your skin, test a small area of skin first to see if there's an allergic reaction.
3. Natural support with herbs
Several herbs are traditionally used to support the respiratory tract.** Nettle (Urtica dioica) and ribwort plantain (Plantago lanceolata), for example, contribute to maintaining healthy respiratory tract.** Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) is also traditionally used to support the respiratory tract and contribute to normal immunity.**
4. Support your immune system naturally
A healthy immune system can help better regulate allergic reactions. Ensure you get enough vitamin C (e.g., from citrus fruits and bell peppers) and zinc (from nuts and seeds), which contribute to the normal functioning of the immune system.* You can also opt for additional support with products like Echinacea. Tincture or Scots Pine TinctureThese herbs are traditionally used to support the natural immune system**.
5. Avoid pollen indoors
Keep windows and doors closed on days with high pollen counts. Ventilate your home early in the morning or late in the evening when pollen counts are lower. Use pollen-repellent screens and filters to keep your home as pollen-free as possible. Also, keep in mind that pollen can stick to hair, skin, and clothing. Enjoyed a nice walk? By showering immediately and changing into clean clothes, you'll prevent pollen from lingering indoors.
6.Put on your sunglasses
Sunglasses act as a shield for your eyes and help prevent pollen from flying into your eyes. The less space between the glasses and your head, the better. This reduces the chance of pollen reaching your eyes through the open space.
With a few smart adjustments to your daily habits, diet, and natural support, you can significantly reduce hay fever symptoms. Our range also includes various products that can help you with this.
**Health claims pending European approval
