Hay Fever Treatment
Acupressure: To relieve hay fever symptoms, take your hand and place your thumb and index finger on the upper ridge of the eye socket, near the bridge of your nose, and press upward into the slight indentation you will feel there. As you do so, take your other hand and use your thumb and middle finger to press up beneath your cheekbones, directly below your eyes. Do this for one minute, with your eyes closed, as you breathe deeply. Repeat as necessary throughout the day.

Aromatherapy: Inhaling the steamed vapors of the essential oils of chamomile, eucalyptus, lavender, melissa, or rose can help relieve symptoms of hay fever.
Ayurveda: During seasonal outbreaks of hay fever, Ayurvedic physicians recommend drinking basil tea with honey throughout the day. The herbs bayberry, Calamus, cloves, ephedra, ginger, and gotu kola can also be helpful, as can applying ginger paste or the essential oils of camphor, eucalyptus, or menthol to your temples and the base of your nose.

Diet: If you suffer from hay fever, you need to be screened for food allergies and sensitivities, and then avoid eating those foods you are allergic or sensitive to. In addition, avoid all sugar and sugar products, starches, wheat and wheat byproducts, soft drinks, commercially processed and/or fried foods, and all foods containing artificial ingredients, such as additives, colorings, flavorings, and preservatives. Avoid alcohol, citrus fruits, chocolate, coffee and other caffeine products, eggs, milk and dairy products, peanuts, and shellfish, all of which are common food allergens. Bananas should be avoided, as well, because they encourage mucus production.

Emphasize an organic, whole foods diet that is rich in fiber and contains plenty of fresh non-citrus fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts and raw seeds. Organic, free-range meats, poultry, and wild-caught fish are also recommended, as are garlic and onions, due to their powerful health benefits for the overall respiratory system. Be sure to drink plenty or pure, fresh water each day (at least eight ounces every two hours). Organic, extra virgin olive oil should be used liberally. Homemade soups, such as chicken, vegetable, and barley, can be consumed in order to help thin mucus.

According to leading naturopathic physician and researcher Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D., President Emeritus of Bastyr University, a vegan diet can significantly improve symptoms of most respiratory conditions, including bronchitis. Such a diet involves eliminating all animal products, as well as fish, eggs, milk, and all other dairy products. Grains should also be avoided, or eaten in minimal amounts. Dr. Pizzorno advises limiting your fluid intake to pure, filtered water (avoid chlorinated, fluoridated tap water), and emphasize plenty of fresh, organic fruits and vegetables, especially romaine lettuce, carrots, beets, onions, celery, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, cucumber, radishes, Jerusalem artichokes, beans (except soy and green peas), blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, cloudberries, black currants, gooseberries, plums, and pears. Apples and citrus fruits are not recommended, however. Dr. Pizzorno reports that over 90 percent of all people who follow a vegan diet for one year experience notable improvements in their health.

Herbs: One of the most useful herbs for treating hay fever is nettle (Urtica dioica), which has been shown to help clear the sinuses while significantly reducing the symptoms of hay fever. Other useful herbs include angelica, astragalus, black cohosh, catnip, comfrey (use under the direction of a trained herbalist), coriander, dandelion root, ephedra, eyebright, fenugreek, ginger root, goldenseal, horseradish, licorice root, mullein, pleurisy root, red pepper, and skullcap.

Hydrotherapy: Hydrotherapy is the application of water, ice, steam and hot and cold temperatures to maintain and restore health. Treatments include full body immersion, steam baths, saunas, sitz baths, colonic irrigation and the application of hot and/or cold compresses. Hydrotherapy is effective for treating a wide range of conditions and can easily be used in the home as part of a self-care program. Many Naturopathic Physicians, Physical Therapists and Day Spas use Hydrotherapy as part of treatment. We suggest several at-home hydrotherapy treatments. Please seek the advice of your alternative health care practitioner before undergoing these procedures to make sure they are appropriate for you.

*Purified water is essential for any hydrotherapy treatment. The section: Remedies for Treating Chlorinated Bath Water, offers clear instructions and recommendations.

Improving Indoor Air Quality: Improving the quality of your indoor air, both at home and at work, is an essential self-care step for helping to treat and prevent respiratory conditions, including bronchitis. Healthy air is warm, free of pollutants and odors, has a relative humidity of between 35 to 60 percent, and is high in oxygen and negative ions (3,000 to 6,000 negative ions per cubic centimeter). Today’s technology makes it easy to ensure that your indoor air meets the above criteria. A negative ion generator can not only increase the oxygen and negative ion content of indoor air, but can also cleanse it of harmful animal dander, bacteria, dust, mold, pollen, and viruses. Moreover, negative ions help to soothe and repair damaged mucosa of the nasal, lung, and bronchial pathways. For best results, choose a self-regulating negative ion generator that emits at least one trillion negative ions per second.

You should also use a humidifier to keep your indoor air moist, especially during winter months, when air tends to be drier. Choose a warm mist unit. Adding plants to your home and work environments can also help keep air moist. Certain plants, such as chrysanthemums, philodendron, and spider plants, can also help to keep your air free of circulating dust and microorganisms, since they act as natural air filters.

Also be sure that your home and work environments are properly ventilated, and avoid the use of synthetic materials in your home and workplace, including plastics.

Juice Therapy: Useful juice remedies for hay fever include carrot and celery juice; carrot, beet, and cucumber; and carrot, celery, spinach, and parsley.

Nutritional Supplements: Useful supplements for hay fever include vitamin A, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin C, and vitamin E, along with zinc, essential fatty acids (especially omega-3 oils), coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), bee pollen, royal jelly, geranium, and raw thymus glandular extract. Proanthocyanidin or grape seed extract is also recommended, as is quercetin.

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