Health Notes, March 9th 2008, by Sarah Stacey

Natural ways of beating hayfever

With bumper levels of pollen and pollution forecast this year, hayfever sufferers could have a tough time. Depending on what you’re allergic to, the problems can start with tree pollen from now to May, grass and flowers May to July, followed by moulds into the autumn.

Over-the-counter topical steroid sprays and antihistamines are generally safe and effective short term, according to Professor George Lewith of the University of Southampton School of Medicine. However, using steroid sprays for prolonged periods (say six months) might lead to some growth suppression in children and oral thrush in adults. Anti-histamines tend to cause drowsiness and progressively lose their effectiveness during the season.

As many sufferers prefer complementary medicine, I asked a team of top experts for the natural remedies they recommend to patients. The motto is: start early to avoid suffering. These remedies also combine well with conventional treatments. Do tell your GP what you intend taking, especially asthma sufferers.

• Acupuncture: there’s conflicting evidence on effectiveness but on balance more positive than negative. Start treatment one to three weeks before you usually experience symptoms, continue weekly until symptoms tail off; for local practitioners, acupuncture.org.uk.

• Homeopathy: many people report that symptomatic remedies help streaming eyes and congested nose (eg Helios Hayfever combination remedy with euphrasia, allium cepa and sabadilla, £6.25 inc p&p tel: 01892 537254, helios.co.uk). To find a medically qualified homeopath for individual advice, visittrusthomeopathy.org.

• Herbal remedies: luffa and butterbur both have good research to show they’re as effective as standard prescription drugs, with few side effects likely but always read the information leaflet (as with any drug or remedy) because some herbs may interfere with drugs. Luffa Complex tincture by A Vogel, £8.49 for 50 ml, Butterbur by Linpharma, £19.95 for 50 capsules. From Victoria Health, click here for Luffa and here for Butterbur.

• Local honey/comb: you’re effectively self-vaccinating with local pollen; many people report benefit (including me) and medics approve. So go look for a neighbouring beekeeper!

• Nettles: some brave patients of Professor Jonathan Brostoff roll in nettles a couple of times at the beginning of the season, get covered in stings – and are then immune to pollens. Others prefer herbalist Michael MacIntyre’s advice to drink two or three cups of nettle tea daily (preferably made with young nettle leaves but only dog/cat poo free), sweetened with honey, or try Wild Nettle Tea by Dr Stuart’s, £3.90 for 100 bags, from Victoria Health: click here.

• Diet: many sufferers do better without wheat products - substitute oat/ rice cakes, or rye bread instead. Cutting out cows milk and cheese can help, too. Boost antioxidant levels with lots of red and yellow fruit and vegetables (but avoid histamine-containing peppers, aubergine, potatoes, also raw tomatoes – cooked are okay) and consider a supplement such as Elderberry Extract by Solgar, £9.59 for 60 capsules, says naturopath Roderick Lane. He also recommends digestive enzymes, such as Extrazyme 13 by LifeTime Vitamins, £19.95 for 90 capsules, organic food where possible and always avoid MSG (monosodium glutamate), all from www.victoriahealth.com.

• When the season starts: pharmacist Shabir Daya says Aller-DMG, has had ‘an amazing response’ from Victoria Health customers; it quells the body’s over-reaction to pollen and also reduces inflammation (Allerg-DMG by Food Science of Vermont, £12.95 for 60 tablets).

• Nasaleze is an inert powder which you puff into the nose to form a barrier against pollen (£6.95 for 60g).

Dr George Lewith, physician of integrated medicine, tel: 02380 334 752 Roderick Lane, naturopath, tel: 0845 094 3224, www.rodericklane.co.uk Michael McIntyre, western and Chinese herbalist and acupuncturist, tel: 01993 830419 Shabir Daya, pharmacist, Victoria Health.

Garden Walks in aid of Breakthrough Breast Cancer

Gladden your eyes and support Breakthrough Breast Cancer charity by organising a sponsored crocus walk this spring. For a step-to-step guide, visit www.crocuswalk.org.uk or call 020 7025 2422.

Caring for your immune system

A reader reports that the Immunity Care Package we put together with Victoria Health has transformed her husband’s health: ‘in August 2007 he had his gall bladder removed then developed pneumonia. In October he hstill had a dreaful cough and wasn’t picking up at all after the op. I saw your article in YOU and sent for the special £80 package in desperation. He took everything and his chest cleared really quickly, he hasn’t caught a cold so far this winter and he looks the picture of health. It’s been worth every penny.’ For details of the Immunity Care Package (and my article) visit www.victoriahealth.com, find it on the home page. All items available separately, too.

Book of the week: It’s Your Funeral by Emma George (White Ladder Press)

A ‘good’ funeral (like a ‘good’ death) is important, according to this engaging book, which covers all the practicalities and gives lots of inspiring suggestions.