Natural remedies ease way to a non-sneeze summer

For many of us, summer brings itchy eyes, runny noses and sneezes. But before you head to the chemist for a hay-fever cure, try some natural remedies.

Featherston homeopath Claire Bleakley says she's seen more rural residents than usual this year complaining of hay-fever symptoms, made worse by the increased application of herbicides being used to kill the grass before planting crops.

"The common hay-fever allergy I see is itchy eyes, runny nose, scratchy palate and dry throat," she says.

"Hay fever is a sign that you could be run down, which is common after winter, and [suffering from] a low iron count, or anaemia, which can make your immune system react to everything from grasses, to just having to make an effort.

"The pressures of end of term and Christmas can make you feel very stressed and make you susceptible to the external environment and everything small, dusty and pollen-like."

Bleakley says there are many natural ways to cope with hay fever, some as simple as wearing sunglasses when walking or exercising, to homeopathic remedies such as euphrasia for runny eyes and nose, or arundo for an itchy palate. These remedies can be obtained from homeopaths and at some pharmacies.

"If the symptoms make you feel so fragile that you just want to give up and cry, then pulsatilla is a great backstop."

A good tonic can be made in a blender, from beetroot, carrots, celery and apples, while eating greens such as spinach, silverbeet and rocket will help. Dandelion coffee and tea are great liver and kidney cleansers.

"Swimming in the sea helps to clear the sinuses, but the chlorine in the swimming pool can be an irritant and set you off," Bleakley says.

"There are many more natural and homeopathic remedies for more specific symptoms. However, hay fever can be a sign that there is more going wrong with your system and seeking professional help from your natural health practitioner may be a good present to yourself."

Health shops are also great places to start, especially for vitamins to help keep your immune system strong all year round and to help clear colds and hay-fever symptoms.

People prone to colds and hay fever should take garlic, horseradish and echinacea all year round.

Sinus drops, Nasal sprays, mouth sprays and tissue salts - pills that melt on your tongue - can all be taken often, some every half hour, or when symptoms flare up.

If more intense measures are needed, pay a visit to an acupuncturist.

John Kennedy, from The Acupuncture Clinic in Church St, Masterton, says acupuncture is an effective but underused method for relieving hay-fever symptoms.

"We don't get a whole lot of people coming to us for hay-fever relief, mostly because people are told by their doctor just to take medicine from the pharmacy."

He says the treatment does not hurt and is different for everyone, depending on the symptoms.

"There are different manifestations of hay fever - some people get watery eyes and blocked sinuses, while others get more itchy eyes and sneezing.

For some people it's worse in spring, for others it's worse in autumn.

"We treat the body in relation to the symptoms.

"So we don't just treat the hay fever, we treat the body as a whole."

He says people should ensure they go to the required amount of sessions.

"Some people come in for one session and, because they feel better than they were, they don't come back.

"But if they came back for the rest of the sessions they would have virtually no hay fever.

"It takes about one to two sessions to get rid of the severe symptoms, and then eight to 12 sessions to treat the underlying cause, so it's better to treat it before it comes."