Four Natural Ways to Win the Battle With Hay Fever

It's one of the hallmarks of spring that I see every year. Lots of people with red eyes, sniffly noses, and bouts of sneezing. It reminds me that spring is here, and so is the annual hay fever season.

Some people's immune systems have become over-reactive to some naturally occurring airborne particles, particularly pollens from all those new flowers. Immunoglobulins, a component of your immune system, continually patrol your mucous membranes. When they encounter an invader, they alert other members of your immune system to release histamine and throw off the foreign particles; by sneezing and producing lots of mucus to wash it out.

Unfortunately, some of us have immune systems that have become over-reactive, leading to a full scale histamine release when only a moderate response is necessary to do the job.

If you suffer from hay fever, you'll be pleased to hear that there are many natural remedies available to help your immune system calm down.

One old home remedy is to submerge your hands in water as hot as you can bear. This will ease the sneezing and running nose within minutes, but as most of us dont want to remain tethered to a handbasin all day, its not practical in the long run.

Another, very effective remedy involves a small change in your diet. Naturopaths have long found that people who consume a large amount of dairy food are more prone to hay fever. Try excluding all dairy from your diet this week and see how your hay fever respon

s. (That's all milk, cheese, butter, cream, ice cream and yoghurt from cows or goat or any other animal). Some people find that excluding dairy from their diet during the hay fever season is all they need to do for a big improvement in their symptoms.

For the third remedy I must issue a warning as well, as mega doses of vitamins can be harmful. Some people find that chewing on a 500mg vitamin C tablet relieves their sneezing for about 15 minutes, then they might have to repeat once or twice more for a long term effect. Vitamin C is actually a natural anti-histamine, and acts by 'hosing down' the excessive histamine release by your mucous membranes. However this remedy should not be used by children, by anyone on medication (it might interact negatively), or if you have a kidney disorder. If in doubt, check with your doctor or pharmacist.

And finally, there are some excellent homoeopathic remedies available 'over the counter' to ease your symptoms. Your local health food store or pharmacy will have some in stock. The beauty of homoeopathics is that they're safe for everyone to use, and won't interact negatively with any medications.

So, now you have some natural tools to help you overcome your hay fever, you can enjoy the wonderful flowers of spring without worry!

Olwen Anderson is an accredited naturopath based on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia. Visit her web site for free health information, subscribe to her monthly Health e-News for up to date natural health information; and read more articles that can help you take control of your health. Visit http://www.olwenanderson.com.au