EASING HAY FEVER THROUGH AYURVEDA

HAY fever, also called allergic rhinitis, causes cold-like signs and symptoms such as a runny nose, congestion, sneezing and sinus pressure. But unlike a cold, hay fever isn’t caused by a virus.

Hay fever is caused by an allergic response to outdoor or indoor allergens, such as pollen, dust mites or pet dander.

Hay fever is common. It affects more than one in five people. Some people have symptoms year-round. For others, hay fever symptoms get worse at certain times of the year, usually in the spring, summer or autumn.

Hay fever can make you miserable and affect your performance at work or school, interfering with leisure activities.

But you don’t have to put up with annoying symptoms.

Learning how to avoid triggers and finding the right treatment can make a big difference.

Hay fever symptoms usually start immediately after you’re exposed to a specific allergycausing substance (allergen) and can include:

Runny nose and nasal congestion. Watery or itchy eyes. Sneezing. Cough. Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat.

Sinus pressure and facial pain.

Swollen, blue-coloured skin under the eyes (“allergic shiners”).

Decreased sense of smell or taste. DIETARY RECOMMENDATIONS

A three-day fast on vegetable juices such as celery, ginger, parsley, carrots, beets, and cucumbers.

Avoid bread, pasta, sugar, and other sweet foods until the symptoms are entirely gone.

Sprouted whole grain or sour dough breads, maple syrup, and some fruit juice are okay, but leave out the refined carbohydrates and sugar.

Avoid trans fats found in most processed foods, shortening, and margarine.

NATURAL REMEDIES Specific foods and supplements:

Use sea salt instead of table salt for the supportive minerals. Raw honey. Vitamin C-rich foods including sprouts, raw milk, fresh berries and gooseberries.

Fish and fish oil, cod liver

oil.

Whole grains, green vegetables, fruits, meat, eggs, and

fish.

Lacto-fermented foods like dairy, beans, fruits, vegetables and beverages.

Organic goat yogurt.

LIFESTYLE SUPPORT FOR REJUVENATION

Regular meditation, yoga, and breathing practices.

Good sleeping habits (early to bed, early to rise). Regular detoxification. Place two drops of warm sesame oil into your nostrils. Repeat this two or three times a day, especially before taking a bath or shower, or before eating.