Dear Friend,
Spring is in the air! Our plum tree has already shed its blanket of beautiful pink flowers, and its glossy maroon leaves are unfurled. The tulips and irises are blooming, and once again our gorgeous peony is gracing us with its colossal blooms, causing passersby to gape and point.
It is a wonderful time of year, but one that plagues many people with allergies. Some people I know can predict their allergies to the day! Trees often bloom at exactly the same time each year, and if you have an allergy to acacia, juniper or oak, your itchy eyes can come as if on a schedule.
Allergy symptoms are the result of your immune system overreacting to something in the environment, in this case usually tree or grass pollen. Homeopathy helps balance your immune system, so that it does not have this over-reactive response. Homeopathy has many remedies which will address your chronic or acute symptoms; each with a unique picture that needs to fit your exact symptoms. Allergies are a chronic issue, however. Any symptoms that recur periodically indicate a chronic problem best treated by chronic “constitutional” homeopathic treatment. Chronic treatment can relieve allergies forever, not just this moment or this season.
Homeopathy seeks to bring about a balance from the deepest part of a person’s being. Homeopathy can help allergies by addressing the deeper underlying imbalance that gives rise to the symptoms and bring about balance in your overall health. Here are some pictures of common remedies used in these cases. For deeper, longer-lasting constitutional treatment, please contact a qualified homeopath.
Allium Cepa:
Main symptom – RUNNY NOSE
Allium is known for its discharges. You will have profuse burning discharge from the nose which may excoriate your upper lip. There may be so much liquid pouring out of your nose that you have to resort to plugging up your nostrils with tissue (I have seen this in my own house, not naming names). There is bland discharge and watering of the eyes, and violent sneezing. There can also be sharp pain in the throat. The symptoms are generally better when outside, worse in a warm room.
Euphrasia:
Main symptom – EYES INFLAMED
Euphrasia has opposite discharges from Allium. In this remedy picture, it is the eyes that are watering, burning and very irritated. They are sensitive to light, making you blink all the time. The nose is watery and runny as well, but it is bland and does not bother your lips. Of course, there is intense sneezing. There can be a tickling cough, that is worse in the morning from all the junk that builds up from lying down all night .
Wyethia:
Main symptom – ITCHY NOSE AND MOUTH
Wyethia is a tremendously itchy remedy. The nose, throat, mouth and ears can all feel itchy. It is very difficult to relieve such intense itching, and you find that there is some relief when you draw your tongue back and forth to scratch the soft upper palate in the mouth. You may feel you need to bore into your ears to relieve the itching there. Your mouth and throat may feel dry, and you may need to constantly clear your throat.
Sabadilla:
Main symptom – SNEEZING FITS
Sabadilla is the perfect remedy for you if you can’t stop sneezing. The sneezing can actually be debilitating. There is constant itching and tingling inside the nose with copious watery discharge. The feeling is much worse outside, and especially when smelling flowers. Generally, it is a little better inside.
Apis:
Main symptom – SWELLING
Apis is a remedy I carry with me in my purse always. Its action is unparalleled when you are having an allergic reaction that causes acute swelling. I have a client who is sensitive to one kind of pollen. If it gets in his eye, the area around the eye and even the conjunctiva will swell tremendously. It happens very fast. Apis is the remedy for this situation of swollen eyes, can even be swollen shut. There can be hives, and other concomitant allergic symptoms.
Allergy notes:
Stinging nettle tea is excellent for allergy symptom relief. It is available at health food stores in the medicinal tea section. Fresh stinging nettle tea is also effective. If you make your own, use only freshly picked herbs and be careful when gathering!! Quercitin is a supplement that can help relieve the symptoms of seasonal allergies. Take 400 mg, twice a day. Aller-C is a product combining quercitin, bioflavonoids and Vitamin C which can also help relieve allergy symptoms. Take 2 caps, twice a day.
