Hay Fever Supplements

About Hay Fever Supplements

Hayfever is an allergic reaction that the body launches in response to an allergen, which can be anything from pollen to a food-based protein. Examples of food based protein that some people react to are, the actinidin found in kiwi fruit, casein found in milk and dairy products and the gliadin protein found in gluten. The signs and symptoms typically involve a combination of the following:

• Headache
• Runny or stuffy Nose
• Sneezing
• Itchiness in the ears, nose or throat
• Watery, red or itchy eyes

These aren't exactly symptoms that anyone would hope for. And if experienced frequently, can take quite a toll on one's daily plans. It can be quite frustrating sneezing through a date, or sniffing through a business meeting. However, most hayfever is not serious and can be self-managed. Apart from avoiding the triggers of the allergy—which may be difficult if it is your neighbour's favourite plant or your partner's favourite food—we can modulate the way in which our body responds to these allergens. This involves supplementation with natural compounds that can reduce activity of specific cells of the immune system, such as T-Helper 2 Lymphocytes and Mast Cells. Furthermore, looking after gastrointestinal health is also of paramount importance. After all, the microbiome—or beneficial bacteria—that reside in within the stomach and intestines, play a massive role in changing the way our immune system responds to allergens, and other foreign invaders too, like viruses and harmful bacteria. 

Natural bioflavonoids have a powerful anti-allergy role in the body, and are therefore helpful when taken to combat hayfever. Quercetin, for example, is one of most powerful bioflavonoids, and is know to have anti-allergy and anti-inflammatory effects—also a natural inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa beta. Quercetin has a tonne of research behind it, with studies showing that it can reduce histamine synthesis, allergic leukotrienes, antigen-specific IgE formation and the powerful inflammation inducer interleukin-6. Natural food sources for this bioflavonoid, include onions, apples, broccoli and grapes. 

In addition, there are many natural herbal medicines, such as Garlic, Horseradish and Perilla frutescens seed, that many rely upon for symptomatic relief of hayfever. Interestingly, Perilla frutescens seed is one of the few natural remedies that helps to modulate activity of T-Helper 2 Lymphocytes—the allergic arm of the immune system.