Allergic Rhinitis and Hay Fever
I have a constant runny nose of thin, clear mucous. What is it and will anything help?The herbalist writes ...
It sounds like you are suffering a condition called allergic rhinitis. This simply means that you are producing a lot of runny catarrh in response to either an inhaled or ingested allergen. People who are prone to allergic rhinitis may also suffer from, or have a family history of, eczema, asthma or hayfever. Hayfever is a form of allergic rhinitis caused by pollen. A complication of allergic rhinitis can be polyp formation, so if you have a very severe/chronic case it is worth getting a proper diagnosis from your GP. Polyps are essentially harmless but are troublesome growths that grow from the nasal mucosa.Some sufferers find their symptoms worsen at the weekends and this can be due to increased alcohol consumption - red wine is particularly notorious for worsening allergic rhinitis in some individuals. Or it may be due to staying in bed later and thus having greater exposure to dust mites.
The usual orthodox approach is to prescribe a corticosteroid nasal spray and/or antihistamines. This can work well at clearing symptoms in the short-term, but does not get to the root of the problem, and sufferers find that they are back to square one once they stop taking them. Moreover, such medications are not totally with side effects.
The herbal approach is to try and find out what might be triggering the rhinitis, give the body a rest from these substances for a while, and at the same time use astringing and anti-allergic herbs to dry the mucus, tone the mucus membranes and reduce the allergic tendency. Such herbs include elderflower, eyebright, chamomile, Echinacea and plantain. Limeflower can be helpful if there is sinus congestion and face pain. This is a longterm approach, and a good diet is also essential. Sugary and highly refined carbohydrate diets will worsen the condition. Milk and dairy products may also worsen along with excessive wheat intake.
To find out if a particular food is causing the problem, try cutting it out of your diet for 3 or 4 weeks and see if you improve. You can also challenge yourself by taking the food again and noting if the symptoms return. A nutritional therapist may be able to help work out if any foods are implicated in your problem.
It is not uncommon for digestive disturbances to accompany allergic rhinitis. Some authorities believe that a situation known as leaky gut syndrome can trigger or excaccerbate allergic rhinitis. This is better treated by a qualified herbalist.
To look at this item click here.
Related topics: