By Taj Panesar Kingston University UK

Do these words above mean anything to you? This article looks at the latest hay fever herbal remedies and the plants they are extracted from.

Medical herbalists might recommend a package of herbal remedies, such as Eyebright as a decongestant and plantain to depress mucus production, but they work best and exert their maximum effect when you start taking them at least three months before the pollen season. Euphrasia, or eyebright, which is a genus of about 451 herbaceous flowering plants, contains tannins that relieve eye irritation and itchiness and help to reduce wateriness and inflammation in the mucous membranes. Eyebright is available in Syrups, Tinctures , Creams and Eye drops. See below:

A commonly used tropical plant for hayfever and other allergies is Luffa (sponge cucumber). Acts as a natural anti-histamine by reducing allergic reactions such as sneezing, itchy and runny eyes and nose, blocked or stuffy nose. The benefit of using this type of a natural remedy is that it has none of the side effects common with conventional antihistamine-type medications such as drowsiness, fatigue and dependency. It can be used long or short term, and is suitable for those people that are sensitive to conventional allergic medications. Luffa is usually available as a Luffa complex, which contains a number of other herbs, which are known to prevent and alleviate the symptoms of allergies, particularly Hayfever. This herb comes in the forms of Tablets, Drops and Nasal Spray. See below:

A course of Echinacea and garlic may boost resistance to allergens and (in the case of garlic) reduce catarrh. Echinacea has been used by Native Americans for over 400 years to treat infections and wounds and now commonly acts as an anti-inflammatory and stimulates the immune system, which helps reduce the common hayfever like symptoms. Two groups of researchers recently conducted a review of the scientific literature to determine whether Echinacea is safe and effective in preventing the cold and flu like symptoms. Most studies concluded that Echinacea reduced these symptoms or shortened their duration. Garlic and its oil on the other hand are also antimicrobial, anti-catarrhal and helps loosen phlegm. Both of these important ingredients are available in special formulated herbal remedies. See below:

Following a successful study reported in the British Medical Journal in January 2002, five out of seven further trials on different types of butterbur have shown positive results. The herb outperformed placebos, while having an equal effect to medication. Even nose congestion improved, a symptom that antihistamines usually cannot reach. It seems to work by inhibiting the inflammatory compounds caused by allergic reactions.

The butterbur extract, taken in tablet form four times daily, was standardized, in the original trial, to contain 8mg of petasine, a chemical component of the plant that researchers believe to be associated with antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory action. The butterbur extract used in trials was licensed for use against hay fever, with the product name of Tesalin, in Switzerland in 2003 by the Swiss-based manufacturers Zeller. However, you should not medicate yourself with untreated butterbur, as the plant contains liver-toxic substances called pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which are removed during commercial processing.

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Allergy UK
www.allergyuk.org

BBC Weather – pollen count
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/pollen

National Society for Research in Allergy
www.all-allergy.co.uk

National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit
http://www.pollenuk.co.uk/
http://www.pollenuk.co.uk/aero/ABPollenUK.html

Pollen UK
The pollen and spore monitoring network of the United Kingdom .

http://www.aaaai.org/AADMC/
The Allergy and Asthma Disease Management Center (AADMC) Web site has been constructed to provide timely, practical and important information to physicians from a wide variety of backgrounds and clinical practice.

http://www.allergyuk.org/art_hayfever.aspx
Allergy UK is the country's leading national medical charity dealing with allergy and we are here to help you. Allergy UK provides you with up to date information on all aspects of allergy, food intolerance and chemical sensitivity.

http://www.medinfo.co.uk/conditions/hayfever.html
website including conventional information on hayfever.

http://www.emedicinehealth.com/hay_fever/article_em.htm
Everything you need to know about hayfever including the symptoms, treatment and diagnosis.

http://www.allergy-clinic.co.uk/hayfever.htm
Directed by Dr. Morris, which talks about what is allergy, who gets allergy including hayfever or allergy rhinitis and other allergy products.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/allergies/allergicconditions_hayfever.shtml

www.bbc.co.uk/weather/pollen
BBC usually has a section on hayfever every season, probably the best link on this list!

http://www.allergyadvice.co.uk/
Allergy advice that offers up to date information in relation to Benadryl.

www.all-allergy.co.uk
National society for research in allergy