June 2026 letter - Pollen allergy

Pollen allergy

This topic is a hot topic currently, not only at my work in healthcare, but also among friends and family. That's why I wanted to write about it this month.

Pollen allergy is caused by the immune system's incorrect overreaction to harmless pollens. Instead of always resorting to antihistamines, which have side effects, I try to bring up more natural strategies for treating pollen allergies.

It goes without saying that a healthy diet which reduces the overall inflammation within the body helps alleviate allergy symptoms. A strong immune system is key to preventing allergic reactions, and diet helps with this. Avoiding sugar and processed junk food is very important.

My journey and interest in healthy living started when my son once suffered from a very difficult pollen and hay allergy. He was in primary school at the time and also had severe asthma, which had even caused hospital admissions. When his medication was increased as the symptoms worsened and especially when I noticed that certain asthma medications began to cause symptoms for him, including muscle cramps, I knew I had to find another way. I started to study the subject and made big dietary changes and the situation began to change within a couple of weeks.

Today my son is already 25 years old and knows how to follow a healthy diet so that he does not have any symptoms. Sometimes he has a runny nose and sneezing during the pollen season, but he has not had asthma for years. He recovered completely from it. In my own experience, a sugar- and grain-free, nutritious diet is the most important thing. Avoiding all kinds of junk food is also an important part of treatment.

One of the most effective natural antihistamines is quercetin, which is a flavonoid found in onions and apples. Quercetin works by preventing excessive histamine release, which directly reduces sneezing and congestion. So why wouldn't a quercetin taken as a supplement work? It is worth trying this if you suffer from difficult symptoms. Another good one is NAC, which reduces inflammation in the body and is therefore effective in treating lung problems, among other things.

On the other hand, at least for us, during hay fever, certain foods often caused my son's symptoms to worsen, for example apples. Many other fruits and some vegetables (tomatoes, peppers...), as well as nuts, can also cause such a cross-reaction. So it's worth checking these if you have allergy.

Nettle

Nettle is used in natural medicine to relieve the symptoms of pollen allergies. Nettle has been found to contain natural antihistamine properties (it reduces the release of histamine and blocks its effects) and anti-inflammatory substances that may help with congestion and sneezing. In my family we usually try nettle drops (flower therapy drops and herbal extract) when we have symptoms, and they have worked well for us. Other remedies include fresh or dried nettle leaves, which can be used in cooking. Dried nettle leaves can also be made into a tea, which is just as effective.

Echinacea extract

Another good product is Echinacea extract. It works as an immune system booster and help to alleviate cold symptoms. However, its anti-inflammatory and anti-rhinitis properties certainly make it useful for relieving allergies. Apparently, however, it can worsen allergy symptoms in some people, so it is worth trying it with caution.

Other products and methods

A salt pipe can also be very helpful, it is worth trying.

Many asthmatics and allergy sufferers find that they get help from a salt pipe. There is no harm in inhaling salt, so you can try it without worry. Salt lamps or even a salt sauna can also help. A salt sauna can be created by placing salt crystals in a suitable container above the sauna heater, from which the particles evaporate due to the heat.

Black cumin oil (Nigella sativa) supports the health of the mucous membranes, reducing both the release of histamine and the overproduction of mucus. It also strengthens the immune system. This miracle substance also has many other benefits.

Vitamin C lowers histamine levels and combats oxidative stress caused by allergic reactions.

Vitamin D3, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids can also help. But the most important thing is to spend time outdoors in sun light every day.

Honey: A spoonful of local (preferably raw) honey a day can help relieve allergy symptoms, as honey can act as a desensitization treatment for pollen allergies. Honey produced locally is best because it contains the same pollens that a person is exposed to in their home region.

Acupuncture not only relieves acute symptoms, such as itchy and stuffy eyes, but also balances the body's energy flow and addresses the root cause of allergies.

Homeopathic remedies (including highly diluted allergen doses) can also help.

As you can see, pollen allergies can be treated naturally. If you, my reader, have any other effective method, I would love to hear about them.