What's the best natural remedy for hayfever?

I suffer terribly from hayfever at this time of year and have tried just about every remedy, over-the-counter and natural, with no success. Is there anything you can recommend that helps?

Hay fever, also called allergic rhinitis, can certainly put a complete dampener on your plans for the spring and summer seasons. Seasonal pollens cause a complete reaction with the mucous membranes — which affect eyes, nose, and throat.

Since the body is producing huge numbers of antibodies to deal with the invading pollen, your histamine levels go through the roof, which causes the irritation and swelling, along with streaming eyes and nose.

The most common hay fever trigger in Ireland is believed to be grass rather than pollen from trees or herbs. Around 90% of people with hay fever react to grass pollens. However, most hay fever sufferers are allergic to a variety of pollen sources.

A healthy, balanced diet, rich in fresh seasonal produce provides a good foundation to help modulate the effects of seasonal allergies. Some people swear by using local bee pollen to build up a resistance to airborne irritants. Since bees are collecting from flowering plants and trees, this probably has limited effectiveness where grasses are the main culprits. However, if you would like to try this approach, make sure that you being with a tiny dosage (1/8 teaspoon, once daily) and work your way up to a teaspoon one to three times daily. It is advised that you avoid pollen if you are allergic to bees.

Ensure you get your oily fish three times a week, or take a quality fish oil or essential fatty acid supplement if seafood is not your thing. The best fish to help with allergy and inflammation issues are mackerel, salmon, kippers, herrings, sprats, trout, sardine and pilchards. Gamma Linoleic acid (GLA) is effective in regulating an overactive inflammatory response — good sources are found in evening primrose oil, borage oil, flaxseed oil, and blackcurrant oil.

Have tried Oralmat? It is a pleasant-tasting remedy which is made from rye grass extract (Secale cereale) which has anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties. Oralmat has been shown to effectively treat the symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, respiratory disease, chronic fatigue, hay fever and other allergies. Oralmat drops cost around €25.80. Take three drops under the tongue, three times daily.

One remedy that can be overlooked when it comes to hay fever is Vitamin C. It works to reduce the amount of histamine that is released while supporting the immune system. Clinical trials have shown that increasing vitamin C doses to around 2 to 3g (2,000-3,000mg) daily for a month or more can cut the histamine response in half.

I feel exhausted all of the time. I am 38 years old and don’t remember ever feeling this tired before. I don’t sleep well at night, and work long hours. I try to eat healthily, but sometimes resort to convenience foods. I have been to the doctor and he can’t find anything the matter. What do you recommend?

Lack of quality sleep plays a significant role in how you are feeling. Sleep is important since it gives worn out cells a chance to repair themselves.

I suggest that you make a point of meditating each evening — there are some great resources that you can download on to an MP3 player or phone. Limit screen time for at least an hour before you go to bed.

While we often consider television or computer browsing to be a way to unwind, it actually has the opposite effect.

Make sure you are drinking enough water. Dehydration is often an underlying issue with fatigue and insomnia. Fresh salads along with magnesium-rich nuts and seeds are great energy foods.

If you want to try a supplement I would suggest Coenzyme Q10 in the form of Ubiquinol.