SUMMER is almost here, which means the annual onslaught of dreaded hay fever symptoms is back with a vengeance, causing misery for the staggering 13 million Brits prone to the seasonal illness.
Triggered when the immune system reacts to the allergen pollen, common symptoms of hay fever include itchy, watery eyes, a ticklish throat, and a congested, runny nose.
On the surface, hay fever symptoms can easily be confused with a common cold.
But while a cold only lasts a few days, a pollen allergy can cause irritation for months.
When a person breathes in allergens – in this case, pollen – the body reacts by releasing a natural chemical called histamine, which triggers an allergic response.
Antihistamines (which work by blocking the immune system’s response to the chemical histamine) are the most popular over-the-counter solution for keeping symptoms under control.
But they don’t work for everyone, at least not enough, so why not try a natural approach, or alongside your medications?
The secret to getting to the root of your hay fever symptoms may lie in the everyday ingredients that are hiding in your kitchen.
Quercetin is an antioxidant found in many common foods that, in some research, has been shown to help with allergy relief.
It is believed to block enzymes that contribute to inflammation, such as histamine.
One to study of 66 people in Japan found that those who received 200 mg of quercetin daily for four weeks had reduced allergic symptoms, such as itchy eyes, sneezing and runny nose, compared to people who received a placebo medication.
Larger studies haven’t been done, but the “secret wonder” that is quercetin is worth trying if you’re at your wits end with your symptoms. See where to find it.
1. Dark chocolate
It may sound too good to be true, but chocolate is rich in quercetin, so it can help calm an overreactive immune system.
The only problem? Your daily Kit Kat won’t cut the mustard, as there’s less cocoa and more sugar.
Chloe Thomasa nutrition coach, says, “You can indulge in a few squares of dark chocolate (best is with a cocoa content of 70% or more) to satisfy your sweet tooth while also getting some quercetin to combat hay fever.”
two. Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea can help you sleep; that’s why it’s best known.
But the relaxing drink can also help stop hay fever-induced sneezing, thanks to the quercetin found in the chamomile flower.
For extra va va voom, add a spoonful of propolis, sold in health food stores.
This sticky substance, produced by bees during the construction of hives, helps prevent the release of histamine from immune cells.
Just let the cup cool a little before mixing the propolis, as it can lose its natural potency when added directly to boiling water.
3. Herbs
If you’re prone to a reaction to pollen, herbs are nature’s secret weapon to help eliminate uncomfortable symptoms.
Chloe says: “Sprinkle herbs such as parsley, dill, coriander, thyme and sage into your dishes to enhance flavor and increase your quercetin intake.”
Pick up some herb seeds from your local garden center or use stem cuttings to grow your own hayfever-fighting plants in a sunny window that you can use as a meal garnish.
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4. Apples
The humble apple is known for keeping the doctor away and also helps eliminate the uncomfortable symptoms of pollen season.
Chloe says: “Incorporating quercetin-rich apples will help reduce symptoms, but be sure to leave the peel on.”
The medicinal power of apples lies in their skin, as studies show that the skin actually contains more antioxidants than the pulp.
5. tomatoes
Quercetin is often found in colorful foods and tomatoes are one of the best sources.
But next time you’re browsing the supermarket aisles, choose cherry tomatoes over other varieties, as the salad staple is known to have a higher quercetin content compared to other types of tomatoes.
Chloe says: “To preserve the quercetin content of tomatoes, eat them raw or opt for cooking methods that retain the nutrients, such as steaming, sautéing or eating raw whenever possible.”
6. Onion
Onion is not just a base ingredient for spag Bol; It’s packed with quercetin—and red onion will give you more quercetin for your buck.
To keep a greater proportion of the antioxidant content intact, try to peel off as little of the outer layers as possible, as this is where most of the quercetin is found.
Chloe says: “You can add onion to mixed vegetable stir-fries or a Greek salad for a quick hit of quercetin.”
7. Bell peppers
Peppers add color to your dish and guess what? These members of the nightshade family will help protect you from allergies during sniffle season.
Chloe says: “Quercetin is believed to work synergistically with vitamin C, so combine foods with quercetin with foods with vitamin C to maximize the effects.”
This means eating bell peppers with vitamin C-rich broccoli or kale.
Hay fever first aid kit
Analyze your symptoms and find the best medication kit for you…
Antihistamines
Antihistamines (cetirizine or loratadine) work by blocking histamine in the body, which is released when the body detects something it considers harmful.
Histamine causes blood vessels to expand and the skin to swell, but in people with hay fever it also causes an allergic reaction. These are watery eyes, a stuffy nose, rashes and so on.
Max Wiseberg, airborne allergen expert and creator of HayMax, says many antihistamines are available by prescription, such as Telfast, which you can consult with your family doctor or through an online doctor such as LloydsPharmacy.
Telfast and other prescription-only antihistamine tablets work the same way as over-the-counter antihistamines, but are stronger and intended to help with more serious symptoms.
“Get your prescription in advance so you have the medication in time to start taking it at the right time,” he says.
“It’s best to take some at least a month before hayfever season starts.”
Nasal sprays
A nasal spray can be effective in controlling congestion and stuffiness.
Pharmacists may advise nasal sprays (cromoglicate sodium, ipratropium bromide or decongestant) and eye drops as well.
Nasal sprays can also help with other hay fever symptoms “because the medicine targets directly into the nose, which is where the vast majority of allergens enter the body,” says Max.
Independent pharmacist Rita Ghelani says: “Try Xlear nasal spray, which contains xylitol and has antibacterial properties and keeps the nasal lining moist.
“If symptoms are more severe, try an anti-inflammatory nasal spray – sometimes called a steroid nasal spray – which may take a few days to take effect.
“Start with one that contains beclomethasone, which is used twice a day, morning and night.”
Rita also advises cleaning your nose with saline nasal spray before the steroid spray, saying, “This will remove sticky mucus from the nasal passage, thereby improving the effectiveness of the medicine.”
Eye drops
If itchy eyes are your main concern, Rita says, “Try using cromolyn sodium eye drops.
“This makes the eyes less sensitive to allergens like pollen and reduces irritation.
“They need to be used four times a day to keep the active ingredient levels high enough to be effective.
“Continue using them even if symptoms improve.
“Using a good eye drop to lubricate your eyes can also help with dry eyes during the summer months.”
This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
