Alleviating Hay Fever On Your Big Day...Naturally

You may think living in the city means you should escape the dreaded runny nose, achey head and itchy eyes that manifest when hay fever (allergic rhinitis) comes-a-knocking. After all, those petrol fumes must come in handy and fight the pollen particles in the air?  Sadly not. Around one in five people suffer within the UK at some stage in your life and pollen is around most of the year.

Tree pollen often triggers symptoms during the spring, grass pollen is in the air in late spring and summer and pollen from weeds comes flying in from early spring into late autumn. So instead of holing oneself up indoors, or lashing on the waterproof mascara (highly advisable even so for weddings!) it’s time to get outside and make the most of what nature has to offer and embrace them outdoor weddings. I've even had couples ask me about flowers on their tables, worried that the pollen could cause havoc with their guests. These handy hints and tips will keep you from suffering or sniffling, and get you frolicking in the meadows in no time at all. Scroll to the bottom for handy hints on which flowers are best for allergy sufferers.

Check the Forecast

Check the hay fever forecast: sounds simple, but this should help you know whether or not you need to implement the following precautions so you don’t get caught unawares!

Pour yourself a cup of camomile tea

The camomile flower has great powers, and when in format of tea it is great against hay fever. As an antioxidant, antihistamine and anti-inflammatory it will cleanse, soothe and aid your system. Take a few moments from your day and brew a cup of tea everyday and sip in the morning. You can also use the tea bags to aid sore and inflamed eyes by submerging the tea bags in hot water for a few minutes, squeezing out excess water and refrigerating till cold. Apply the, now cold, tea bags onto your eyes and relax for five minutes.

Vaseline

You want to create a barrier to stop those little particles from flying in and around your nose and one of the best ways to create this is probably sat in your bag or bathroom cabinet. It is the ever useful everyday essential: Vaseline. Rub a little on the inside of your lower nostril and also onto your eyelashes to help prevent the little particles from doing their damage.

Change Your Car’s Air Conditioning

You can get these handy little pollen filters fitted into your car’s AC. Handy when stuck in traffic jams and all you want is to dunk your head in a bucket of ice-cold water but can’t.

Honey, Honey, You Are My Candy Girl

This is something that I’m sure you will have been told be your Grandmother, but honey contains pollen and this will aid you  by desensitising you. The best honey to get is the one that is local to you and luckily here in the South West we have a whole vat of bee keepers with brilliantly gorgeous products. It’s recommended you take two or three tablespoons, consumed two to three months before hay fever season starts. This may not be possible as we are marching quite nicely into July, so just start as soon as you can.

Bedtime Bath

Before you retire between your bed sheets after a stressful day in the office, pop into the shower and have a good old scrub. Or slip into the tub and soak away your troubles. By having a wash before bed you’ll be ridding yourself of any stubborn pollen particles that have attached themselves to you in the day, leaving you snuffle-free all night. It also means you won’t transfer them into your bed.

Dose Up On The Vit C

Not only will you be keeping the scurvy at bay, but you’ll also feel so much more alive and ‘on point’. Vitamin C is a known natural antihistamine and is found in oranges, lemons and grapefruits; bioflavonoids are also present and these have powerful anti-allergy effects. This combo provides a natural decongestant and can alleviate hay fever symptoms effectively. Get your dose with tablets, or a delicious healthy fresh fruit juice or smoothie.

What’s Up Doc?

They may (or may not) help you see in the dark, but carrots also have other amazing benefits. Carotenoids are naturally occurring pigments in plants, and these act as a powerful antioxidant to help reduce inflammation in your airways and improve your immune system. Find these guys in carrots, apricots, pumpkin, sweet potato and spinach.

Dracula’s Worst Nightmare

Garlic is amazing. It tastes incredible and also fights off so many diseases and nasty infections. By increasing your dietary intake of garlic you can help boost your immune system whilst it also acts as a handy decongestant and aids to alleviate minor hay fever symptoms as it is a good source of quercetin, a natural antihistamine. Although potentially not the best for that first kiss!

Hit the link to find out about which flowers are worse for allergies and which ones are okay....