Finally, the sun is here. After what seems like the longest winter, spring has come. I rejoice every time I see a crocus poking through the brown leaves on the ground. I smile when I see buds swelling on the trees. I can’t wait till the forsythia fill the parks with their bright yellow flowers and the fragrance of the cherry blossoms fills the air. But people with allergies dread this time of year. Their heads hurt. Their noses run and their eyes itch. But there is a lot you can do to prevent itchy eyes and heal a drippy nose so that you too can head outdoors and enjoy the parks and forests around you.
Diet can help. Drinking plenty of water will thin mucous secretions so they can be easily expelled. Cutting back on mucous-forming foods (like dairy, fried foods, and refined flours) will reduce symptoms that are troubling.
Herbs can provide further benefit. Nettle tincture can lessen sneezing and itching of the nose and extract of eyebright can be taken internally or mixed in water and used as a compress to soothe itchy, sensitive eyes.
For long lasting relief, you can turn to homeopathy. Several companies make easy to use products that include a combination of homeopathic medicines that reduce an array of allergy-related symptoms. Boiron’s RhinAllergy addresses hay fever, an itchy and runny nose, sneezing, and itchy and watery eyes. It’s available in tablets for adults and in pellets for children 2 years of age and older. Boiron’s Ambrosia pellets heal the nose, eyes and throat when allergy symptoms are specifically caused by ragweed. Their Optique eye drops provide relief for itchy, burning eyes that react to dust, pollen or ragweed. Like all homeopathic products that I recommend, Optique is natural, preservative-free and the eye drops have no vasoconstrictors or astringents.
Hylands also makes superior all natural products for allergies. Hyland’s Seasonal Allergy Relief relieves watery itchy eyes, runny noses, sneezing, throat and sinus pain and headaches. The Hyland’s 4 Kids line was created just for children. Its Allergy Relief product soothes symptoms when a child’s body’s reaction to plants and flowers leads to watery eyes, runny and stuffy nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes. Hyland’s safe and gentle formulas have no artificial flavors, dyes or parabens.
For deepest healing, it’s best to match your specific symptoms with the individual homeopathic remedy that targets what troubles you most. Look through the following list to see if you can find a god match. Then take 2 pellets of 30C potency twice daily. Stop, if symptoms go away. Start again if they return. If there is no benefit after three days, you are probably not taking the correct remedy. To get assistance finding the best remedy for you, consult with a professional homeopath.
Allium cepa: good for watery eyes and when your nose runs like a faucet. Also indicated if you feel better in open air
Arsenicum album: best for when your nose runs and leaves the skin above your lip irritated. For people who report their nose, eyes, and throat burn.
Euphrasia: this homeopathic medicine will provide relief for people whose allergies settle in the eyes with buring pain, itching, tearing and sensitivity to light.
Sabadilla: a good remedy for people who have long bouts of sneezing
Wyethia: the remedy to turn to when itching in the back of your throat or up into your ears is the most troubling symptom