The sneezin' season

Acupuncture

Traditional Chinese medicine sees hay fever as the failure of the body's defensive energy (wei chi) to protect the body from repeated invasions of Wind (a climate factor that can disrupt well-being). This leads to what is described as 'the retention of chronic Wind in the nose' with typical hay fever symptoms - sneezing, watery nasal discharge, itchy eyes and throat. Treatment would work on acupuncture points to expel Wind, followed by points to strengthen wei chi.

A small study in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine in 1975 found that symptoms decreased following acupuncture, but more research is needed.

Nutritional therapy
Honeycomb contains propolis, which has antihistamine and anti-inflammatory properties and is said to improve immunity to allergens. Chew a small square of honeycomb produced in your local area, three times a day for three months, before and during the hay fever season. Regularly eating honey that is local to the area in which you live is said to be the most effective way to `innoculate' yourself against hay fever as the honey contains traces of the actual pollen that you might be sensitised to. Bee pollen products, such as Comvita Propolis tablets are said to work in a similar way, but avoid bee remedies if you are allergic to bee stings or bee pollen.

Vitamin C acts as an antihistamine and is believed to detoxify histamine once it is released. In one study, histamine levels were reduced by 38% in both men and women, after taking 2g vitamin C per day.

Flavonoids, such as quercetin, also act as antihistamines and are believed to work in synergy with vitamin C, but while there is anecdotal evidence, again there is no hard evidence. However, some naturopaths and nutritional therapists advise people with hay fever to take 400mg of quercetin two to three times a day.

The National Institute of Medical Herbalists www.NIMH.org.uk

The Faculty of Homeopathy
www.trusthomeopathy.org

The Society of Homeopaths
www.homeopathy-soh.org

British Acupuncture Council
www.acupuncture.org.uk

British Medical Acupuncture Society
www.medical-acupuncture.co.uk

Health expert and author Susannah Olivier and Dr Sarah Brewer contributed to this article