Season sneezes

Friday 25th September 2009 10:30am

woman in garden

At this time of the year the Herb Valley garden is full of flowering herbs and looks a treat and with all these flowers comes pollen and for some, hay fever.

Our naturopath shares with you some of his experience.

My friend has hay fever and out the back of the garden I can see Horseradish and know it’s a great decongestant. I see Garlic and Fenugreek that help the lungs and St John’s Wort that has anti viral properties. Putting them together I add some Peppermint oil with its vaporizing effects on the sinuses and Vitamin C as an anti inflammatory.  Making this into a tablet I visit my friend (who invites me in for tea) and give her the tablets.

During our cup of tea and whole meal scones my friend was telling me about her cousin who is allergic to anything and everything and spring just sends them over the edge. For me this immediately raised the question of an immune system in chaos.  I told my friend it would be beneficial for this person to look at the cause and probiotics was the fundamental place to start.  In this case a course for a few months would probably be necessary.  Next I suggested Omega 3 Fish Oil and Evening Primrose oil at a ratio of 2:1 to help with the body’s inflammatory response. Vitamin E added to this formula would improve the health of all cell membranes and support the nutritional oils.  Because of the severity of the symptoms 500 mg of Vitamin C up to six times a day may be required.  Now combine the above with dietary modification, for example removal of dairy products except yoghurt and replace wheat flour with rice flour. Remove yeast products and alcohol and commence daily vegetable juices like carrot, celery and ginger to provide vital minerals and give the digestive system a spring clean.  Just like we do to the garden, remove the weeds, dig over the soil and add some fertilizer then sit back and let nature do the rest.

Jeff Edgecombe ND

This information is not intended as a substitute for qualified medical advice. Please consult a properly qualified health care practitioner.