| Hay Fever is an inflammation of the lining of the nose | | | | these products tend to cause a build up of mucus. A |
| resulting from an allergic reaction caused by airborne | | | | high intake of vitamin C can help reduce the attacks, |
| pollen released by plants and flowers during the | | | | or eating plenty of fruits and vegetables specially |
| spring and summer months. | | | | those high in vitamin C such as the citrus fruits and |
| The symptoms, similar to those of the common cold | | | | strawberries. Also beneficial is garlic in the form of |
| are sneezing, streaming eyes, runny or blocked nose, | | | | capsules. Local honey can act as a preventative in |
| headaches and a general feeling of malaise. These | | | | some cases. |
| symptoms can sometimes be more serious, such as | | | | Exercises and deep breathing will improve general |
| constricted chest leading to breathing difficulties, | | | | health and strengthen the immune system to combat |
| known as seasonal asthma. | | | | allergies and other diseases. The practice of yoga and |
| These symptoms are an allergic reaction of the body | | | | other form of relaxation helps improve the mind, |
| to what it perceives as external invasion. Pollen can | | | | body balance which is necessary in order to achieve |
| trigger such reactions for some people. | | | | overall health and well-being. |
| Allergies are associated with the level of histamine, a | | | | The use of essential oils can be very beneficial in the |
| protein that the body releases in response to injury | | | | treatment of hay fever. This is because they have |
| or tissue damage. Histamine brings extra blood to the | | | | such properties as anti-inflammatory, anti-histamine |
| affected area to helps with the repair of damaged | | | | and anti-allergenic. Some oils are balsamic, helpful to |
| cells or tissues. The release of histamine is a normal | | | | soothe inflamed mucous membrane and affected skin |
| defense mechanism. | | | | areas around the nose. |
| However, in allergic reactions, the level of histamine | | | | Anti-inflammatory oils are: Yarrow, German |
| produced is excessive. | | | | Chamomile and Lavender |
| Allergens do not affect every body. Generally, hay | | | | Anti-histamic oils are: Rose, Chamomille, Lemon, |
| fever starts in childhood; it can be developed | | | | Eucalyptus and lavender |
| suddenly in later life. In recent years, it seems that | | | | Balsamic Oils: Rose & Lavender |
| this is becoming more common. These allergens are | | | | Rose water, a by-product of the rose oil, helps with |
| such that each year, hay fever sufferers have to | | | | the attacks when sprayed over the face and nose |
| either increase their dose of conventional medicine or | | | | area. It neutralises the effect of pollen from deep |
| use stronger medication. Conventional treatments | | | | within the lower layer of the skin, stopping it getting |
| only address the symptoms and most medication | | | | into the blood stream and triggering the body's |
| have side effects which can be worst than the | | | | response to its perception of external invasion. |
| ailment. | | | | There are several methods to use essential oils to |
| The best way to treat allergies is using natural | | | | alleviate hay fever symptoms. Using a combination of |
| remedies. Sometimes these take longer to provide | | | | the above oils in a blend is more effective and will |
| relief, but in the longer term they can even eradicate | | | | provide more benefits over the longer term than |
| the allergy totally. This is because they treat the | | | | using single oils. |
| cause, not the symptom. The cause differs for each | | | | Methods of use: |
| individual, as people react differently to specific | | | | - A regular spray of rose water over the face |
| allergens. | | | | - A blend of Rose & Lavender on a tissue to |
| Causes of Allergies | | | | inhale throughout the day and on the pillow at night |
| The cause of allergies is not known, but there are | | | | to lessen the frequency of the attacks |
| several contributing factors. Such as: | | | | - A blend of Lavender, Yarrow and German |
| - Food additives | | | | Chamomile in sweet almond oil to rub the neck, chest |
| - Insecticides | | | | and upper back may ease the intensity of the |
| - Synthetic chemicals | | | | attacks |
| - High level of stress | | | | - An aloe vera base cream with Rose, Chamomile |
| - Feeling run down | | | | & Lavender to soothe the inflamed areas and |
| - Diet | | | | the mucous membrane in the nose |
| Maintaining a healthy lifestyle with plenty of rest, | | | | - A blend of chamomile, lavender and rose to use as |
| fresh air and eating whole food throughout the year | | | | after bath oil. |
| will improve overall health and boost the immune | | | | Incorporating the use of essential oils in your |
| system. | | | | everyday life helps to enhance it as they work both |
| Avoiding dairy products can most certainly help, as | | | | on a physical and psychological level. |