HAYFEVER
BENEFICIAL HERBS
- Alfalfa is rich in nutrients and useful in the treatment of hayfever
- Mullein leaves can alleviate symptoms of hayfever
- Thyme, rosemary, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, horseradish, and chili have antiseptic and expectorant effects
- Burdock acts as a blood purifier that clears toxins through the lymphatic system
- Horehound promotes the secretion of mucus and is a great cough soother.
- Nettle alleviates stuffy nose, watery eyes, and other symptoms of hayfever. Caution: Do not eat uncooked plants-they can cause kidney damage.
- An infusion of yarrow snuffed up the nose can be used for hayfever
- Grape seed extract, green tea extract, and ginkgo biloba extract are useful in the treatment of hayfever
- Marjoram gargles and teas may relieve sinus congestion and hayfever
- Licorice and lobelia are good expectorants
- Other herbs that are useful for hay fever include blessed thistle, garlic, marshmallow, and goldenseal. Caution: Do not take goldenseal on a daily basis for more than a week at a time, and do not use during pregnancy. Do not give goldenseal to children under two. Do not use goldenseal without consulting a physician if you have had heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, a stroke, or high blood pressure.
DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS
- Eat more locally produced honey for its homeopathic pollen protection
- Eat more fruits (especially bananas), vegetables, grains, and raw nuts and seeds.
- Follow a high-fiber diet.
- Include in the diet lots of leeks, scallions, garlic, and onions for their antimucus and antibacterial properties.
- Eat yogurt or any soured products three times a week. Homemade yogurt is best. However, beware of the possibility that you may be allergic to casein, the principal protein found in milk.
- Increase intake of omega-3 fatty acids (mackerel, salmon, tuna, whitefish, bluefish, anchovies, and herring)
- Reduce the amount of dairy products in the diet, which may control the production of mucus. Do replace the calcium with a daily supplement including vitamin D. Note: Do not deprive children of milk without professional advice.
- Eliminate food allergens and food additives from the diet.
NUTRIENT SUPPLEMENTATION
- Coenzyme Q10: 30 milligrams twice a day.
- Vitamin B complex
- Vitamin C: 500 milligrams 2-3 times daily. Caution: Doses of vitamin C larger than 1,200 milligrams a day can produce diarrhea in some people.
- Vitamin A: 10,000 IU daily. Caution: If you are pregnant, do not exceed 10,000 IU daily.
- Vitamin B6: 25-50 milligrams twice/day
- Vitamin E: 200-400 IU. Caution: If you are taking anticoagulants, you should not take vitamin E supplements
- Flavonoids such as quercetin, grape seed extract, or green tea extract
- Beta-Carotene: 25,000-50,000 IU. Caution: Do not take if you are pregnant. Note: Recent studies have cast doubt on the benefits of getting beta-carotene through supplementation. The best way to take beta-carotene into your body is through foods high in beta-carotene, such as carrots, apricots, cantaloupe, papaya, mangoes, and sweet potatoes.
In some cases, herbal products can interact negatively with other medications. Such interactions can be dangerous. Herbal remedies are not regulated and their quality is not controlled. Moreover, while there is an abundant supply of information circulating about herbs, not much of it has been scientifically proven. Consult your physician. Informing your doctor and pharmacist of what herbal products you are using is just as important as letting them know what drugs you are taking. Your physician and the pharmacist on duty at your pharmacy can assist you in deciding which herbs
are safe.