Hay Fever -- Homeopathic Remedies - [Alternative Medicine]

Allergic Rhinitis -- Homeopathic Remedies, Allergy (Hay Fever) -- Homeopathic Remedies, Pollen Allergy -- Homeopathic Remedies

Acute attacks of hay fever often respond to homeopathic remedies. Allergies are usually deep-seated problems, and are often best addressed with a constitutional remedy and the guidance of an experienced practitioner.

For dosage information, please read the information at the end of this section. See also “Using Homeopathy With Professional Guidance” in What Is Homeopathy?

Homeopathic Options

Indications for this remedy include watery eyes and a clear nasal discharge that irritates the upper lip, along with sneezing and a tickling cough. The person usually is thirsty, and feels worse indoors and when rooms are warm, and better in fresh air.

A burning, watery, runny nose with a stuffy, tickling feeling during allergy attacks suggests a need for this remedy. Swelling below the eyes and a wheezy cough are common. The person may feel chilly, restless, anxious, and is often very tired.

This remedy can be helpful if the eyes are swollen and irritated with acrid tears or pus. The nose also runs, but with a blander discharge. Symptoms are often worse in the daytime and worse from warmth, and the eyes may hurt from too much light. The person can also have a cough in the daytime, which improves at night.

This is a very useful remedy in the early stages of any inflammation. Taken when allergy symptoms start, it often slows or stops an episode. Symptoms include runny eyes with a burning or gritty feeling, facial flushing, watery nose, and short, hard, tickling cough.

A tired, droopy feeling during allergies with a flushed and heavy-feeling face suggest a need for this remedy. A sensation of dryness or of swollen membranes may be felt inside the nose-or the nose may run with irritating watery discharge, with the person sneezing frequently. Aching in the back of the head and neck, a trembling feeling, and chills along the spine are often seen when a person needs Gelsemium.

Allergy attacks with sneezing, watery eyes, clear nasal discharge that resembles egg white, and a loss of taste and smell will all suggest a need for this remedy. The person may have dark circles under the eyes, be thirsty, feel withdrawn and sad, and act irritable if comforted.

If the nose is alternately stuffed up (especially outdoors or at night) and running (indoors and in the daytime), this remedy may bring relief. Other symptoms include a teasing cough, a scraped or tickly feeling in the throat, and headache. A person who needs this remedy often feels impatient, irritable, and chilly.

Long paroxysms of sneezing, itching in the nose with irritating runny discharge, a feeling of a lump in the throat, and watery eyes will all suggest a need for this remedy. The person may feel nervous during allergy attacks, and trying to concentrate can bring on drowsiness or headache.

Intolerable itching felt on the roof of the mouth and behind the nose-sometimes extending into the throat and ears-strongly suggests the use of this remedy. Everything in the person's head feels dry and irritated, but the nose may still be runny.

Dosage

Select the remedy that most closely matches the symptoms. In conditions where self-treatment is appropriate, unless otherwise directed by a physician, a lower potency (6X, 6C, 12X, 12C, 30X, or 30C) should be used. In addition, instructions for use are usually printed on the label.

Many homeopathic physicians suggest that remedies be used as follows: Take one dose and wait for a response. If improvement is seen, continue to wait and let the remedy work. If improvement lags significantly or has clearly stopped, another dose may be taken. The frequency of dosage varies with the condition and the individual. Sometimes a dose may be required several times an hour; other times a dose may be indicated several times a day; and in some situations, one dose per day (or less) can be sufficient.

If no response is seen within a reasonable amount of time, select a different remedy.

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The information presented in Healthnotes is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2008.