How To Relieve Hayfever Naturally

Ayurvedic techniques and natural remedies to relieve hay fever and spring allergies

By Leanne Gray, Ayurda Wellness

We are gradually moving from the slow, grounding energy of winter into the long-awaited blossom of spring. This change naturally invites us into our own state of renewal - a time for clearing out the weight holding us back from the potential of our best selves. This cycle of nature is something we all need to become accustomed to, adjusting ourselves to be in sync with the changes that each season gifts us and finding balance once again.

Although spring is often highly anticipated by those who dread the chills of winter, it can bring some downfalls for many of us. It's hard to appreciate spring's beauty when you're being held back by hay fever and allergy symptoms that come with it.

What does Ayurveda say about spring allergies?

In Ayurveda, spring is dominated by two energies - Kapha in the first part of spring and Pitta in the second. The dominant qualities are moist, cool, clear and bright. These qualities can allow the types of ailments we often see at this time of year, affecting organs such as the nose, eyes, lungs and sinus area. It is common to notice symptoms of hay fever, whether mild or severe.

The usual treatment for hay fever is antihistamines, but there is a more natural approach to treating and preventing symptoms. According to Ayurveda, this ailment is prevalent when the Kapha and Pitta intelligences are affected by incompatible eating habits during winter - such as eating cold, damp, moist, heavy and sticky food on a consistent basis. These foods increase mucous in the body, particularly during winter when the cold weather also adds to its accumulation. As the warmer weather approaches and the air begins to moisten, this mucous starts to liquefy and the body needs to expel it through the membranes around the nose and eyes.

Common symptoms of hay fever (allergic rhinitis)

During winter, our heavier diets and slower movement often result in a build-up of fat and mucous. These hay fever symptoms are signs that the body is trying to expel excess mucous as we move into spring.

• Sneezing
• Runny nose
• Itching on the nose and often the roof of the mouth
• Itchy eyes and/or conjunctivitis (redness and swelling in the eyes)
• Bloated face
• Headache
• Itchy skin
• Aching body with fever

9 Ayurvedic techniques to reduce hay fever symptoms

1. Cleanse your digestive system

Your gut health is one of the most essential factors of your overall wellbeing in Ayurveda. With a strong digestive fire, your body expels toxins adequately without being weighed down. A healthy gut allows your body to combat anything that comes its way. A Kitchari cleanse is a great place to start.

2. Try an Ayurvedic detox drink

Add the following to a glass of warm water each morning:

• ½ tsp of freshly grated ginger
• ¼ tsp fenugreek seed powder
• ½ tsp lemon juice (vitamin C — a natural antihistamine)
• ½ tsp honey (pollen content helps your immune system desensitise to other pollens)

3. Use a copper tongue scraper

As part of an ideal Ayurvedic daily routine, scraping your tongue with a copper tongue scraper helps eliminate the toxins (amas) that accumulate overnight. The white coating you may notice on your tongue is a waste product from metabolic processes during sleep. If not removed, this waste is reabsorbed, allowing toxins to accumulate to the detriment of your health. Copper is particularly recommended as it is cleansing and detoxifying and does not react with toxins.

4. Nasal drops for sinus care

Incorporate a daily Nasya (nasal treatment) into your routine. Using either cold-pressed black sesame oil or our medicated nasal drops, tilt your head back slightly and put 3 drops of lukewarm oil in each nostril. Sniff this in a few times so it reaches further up the nostril. Keeping your head tilted back, massage your nose and eye area in a circular motion by pressing gently with two fingers on both sides of your nose, moving your fingers up towards your forehead and around your eyebrow bone. Repeat 3 times. This regime helps to expel excess mucous from the nasal cavities and sinus area, and can also stimulate the pineal and pituitary glands.

5. Sinus-clearing steam inhalation

This helps to clear congestion around the nose and eye areas, alleviating symptoms.

• Boil 2L of water and pour into a container.
• Add 10 drops of eucalyptus oil and place the container on the floor.
• Lean over the container, covering your head with a large towel, and take deep, long breaths.
• Recommended for 7 minutes, two nights a week while symptoms persist.

6. Hay fever eye relief

Place cotton pads soaked in rose water over your eyes to counter excess heat. Leave on for up to 10 minutes.

7. Follow an Ayurvedic spring diet

Avoid cold, damp, moist, heavy and sticky foods such as bread, cheese, peanut butter, muffins, cakes, cold drinks, juices, smoothies, tomato sauce, fried chips, cold water, bananas, yoghurt, carbonated drinks and cold meats. This is best started one to two months before symptoms normally appear, but it will also help once symptoms have begun.

8. Ayurvedic oil pulling

This technique helps to remove excess mucous from the mouth. Add the following to 1 tbsp of organic sesame oil:

• ¼ tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp honey
• ¼ tsp black salt

Hold in your mouth and move it around as you would with mouthwash, then spit out.

9. Grounding practice

Take a relaxing walk on lush green grass, feel the cooling earth on your feet and ground yourself in the feeling. Best done in the latter half of spring when the warmth of the sun begins to impact the season. This will help to keep body heat from affecting the eyes, calming the nervous system and removing excess heat from the blood.

Ayurvedic supplements for spring

For further support in reducing the symptoms of hay fever and allergies, our Ayurvedic practitioner Dr S. Ajit recommends the following natural health supplements.

For adults:

• Sino Care — contains herbs traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine to support the respiratory system; a natural herbal remedy for the common cold, cough, sinus and hay fever.
• Trikatu — a traditional trio blend of herbs and spices.
• Nasal drops — medicated.

For children:

• Kofnil Syrup — great for congestion.
• Liv Life Syrup — liver and metabolic support.

For everyone:

• Chyawanprash — supports vitality and strength.

Shop Hay Fever Relief

Copper Tongue Scraper NZD $19.00 Shop Now	Nasal Drops NZD $18.00 Shop Now	Sino Care NZD $49.99 Shop Now	Trikatu NZD $29.00 Shop Now
Chyawanprash NZD $38.00 Shop Now	Kofnil Syrup NZD $20.00 Shop Now	Liv Life Syrup NZD $20.00 Shop Now

Experienced Ayurvedic consultations

If you find that your symptoms are severe and persistent, our Ayurvedic practitioner Dr S. Ajit will be able to guide you in finding the roots of your hay fever and allergies. Book a consultation today to discover what may be holding you back from the balance you need to face life without these struggles. With many years of experience in Ayurveda, Dr Ajit can support your journey to relief. Online consultations are also available for those outside Auckland and New Zealand.