Natural help for hay fever
Dr. med. Teelke Beck
August 13, 2024
6 min
In spring and summer, a large number of people suffer from hay fever, an allergic reaction to pollen. In Switzerland, around 20 per cent of the population are affected by a pollen allergy. While many resort to conventional medication, more and more sufferers are looking for natural and complementary treatment options to alleviate their symptoms. In today's blog post, we take a look at complementary medical treatment options for hay fever and talk to Dr Teelke Beck, Head Physician at the Centre for Integrative, Complementary Medicine and TCM (ZIMT), about complementary treatment approaches that can provide relief.
Dr Teelke Beck, what complementary medical approaches do you recommend for the treatment of hay fever?
There are various therapy methods for treating hay fever. Chinese medicine offers acupuncture and herbal therapy. Phytotherapy is used in European medicine. Homeopathy and anthroposophic medicine also offer substances and methods for treating hay fever.
Acupuncture is a popular method. How does acupuncture work for hay fever and what can patients expect from this treatment?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the defence system, also known as Wei Qui, is assigned to the "lung" functional circuit. Disorders of the defence system are therefore disorders in the pulmonary circulation and are often caused by external factors such as wind. With the help of fine needles placed at specific points, the balance can be restored and the energy flow positively influenced. During the pollen season, the therapy is mainly symptom-orientated and brings relief: the nose runs less and the itching in the eyes decreases. In addition, acupuncture treatment can be given as a preventative measure in the winter months, before the start of the actual pollen season. This reduces or even completely eliminates the symptoms in the acute stage.
Which herbal remedies are particularly effective against hay fever and is there scientific evidence for their effectiveness? Are there certain herbs or dietary supplements that are particularly effective?
Butterbur, in this case the extract from the leaves, is particularly effective against hay fever and its effectiveness has also been proven in scientific studies. In contrast to drugs from conventional medicine, this herbal variant does not make you tired. Euphrasia, angelica, is also very effective as eye drops, and a combination of lemon and quince is recommended in anthroposophic medicine. In homeopathy, Alium cepa (household onion), for example, can alleviate the eye and nasal symptoms of hay fever.
In addition to acupuncture and herbal remedies, diet and lifestyle also play an important role. What dietary recommendations do you give your patients to reduce inflammation and support the immune system?
There is no specific diet that directly reduces the symptoms of hay fever. However, an adapted diet and a healthy lifestyle can reduce inflammation and strengthen the immune system. It is advisable to avoid spicy food and alcohol during the period when hay fever is particularly severe. Vitamins, especially vitamin C, also have a supportive effect on the immune system and can be increased during this time. Omega-3 fatty acids are also very suitable for reducing inflammation and should be taken in sufficient quantities. In terms of micronutrients, zinc and selenium, for example, have an anti-inflammatory effect and can be supplemented during the acute phase.
To keep pollen concentrations low at home during the peak season, it is advisable to ventilate the house, wash your hands after spending time outdoors and also change your clothes.
How do these complementary medical interventions complement conventional therapies?
In conventional medicine, hyposensitisation plays a major role in the treatment of hay fever. In addition, medication can be used to reduce histamine, which is responsible for the symptoms. Unfortunately, these medications often cause side effects, in particular considerable fatigue, which is very disturbing for patients. Complementary medical measures can supplement conventional medicine very well. In the preventive situation, acupuncture - similar to hyposensitisation - is even able to reduce the intensity of hay fever and the duration of the hay fever season.
We would like to thank Dr Teelke Beck for her valuable insights into the possibilities of integrative and complementary medicine for hay fever. It is encouraging to know that there are numerous complementary approaches that can help sufferers to alleviate their symptoms and improve their quality of life. We hope that this information will give you new perspectives and ways to relieve your allergy symptoms naturally. Stay healthy.
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