HERE’S TO A SNIFFLE-FREE SPRING
Itchy eyes, a streaming nose, congestion and sneezing… ahhh spring is in the air! But making the most of the warmer weather and lighter evenings can take a toll if you are suffering from hayfever. So besides becoming a recluse or dosing up with over the counter medications that make you feel drowsy and foggy what can you use.
Well there are natural antihistamines that can provide the symptom without making you feel so fatigued.
Quercetin has multiple influences on immune system function, the most commonly known is antihistamine. Foods rich in quercetin include, black grapes, peppers, black and green tea, red onions and broccoli. You’ll want to build up through the hayfever season
Nettles – acts are anti inflammatory and acts to reduce the usual hay fever symptoms these can be made into a tea with immune boosting herbs like turmeric, ginger, garlic and echinacea.
You will of course know that Vitamin C is immune boosting. But it is also a powerful antioxidant and can dampen the oxidative stress from the allergic response. a Study says increase to 2mg but some people may experience digestive disturbances at this level.
Raw honey – contains trace amounts of nutrients and polyphenols that act as antioxidants reducing inflammation. And there is evidence that raw honey contains up to 4.3 times more antioxidants than the commercially processed variety.
In addition raw honey may contain bee pollen. Bee pollen is a mixture of flower pollen, enzymes, wax, bee secretions, nectar and honey and it has been found to be loaded with a range of beneficial compounds.
Bee pollen is anti-inflammatory and anti allergic and was found to inhibit the release of histamine in mast cells, thereby reducing the severity and onset of hayfever. Bee pollen is available to buy in most health food stores or from your local honey man. Which may be more beneficial as the bee pollen will contain flower pollen from your local are which theoretically should mean that your immune system will be exposed to and become desensitized by your local pollen.
