by Gauravi Hiware, CCH

 It’s the season of fresh buds in bloom, glowing green leaves and the earth coming to life after the shivering cold from winter. Yet, during this beautiful spring, Atlanta is experiencing record-breaking pollen counts and allergy sufferers are feeling the effects. If you are one of the unfortunate people with seasonal allergies, you can try taking an alternative healing path with homeopathy, a safe and gentle path to better health.

Homeopathy is an alternative branch of medicine founded by the German physician Sir Samuel Hahnemann in 1796. It is based on the simple principle of Similia similibus curentur, “like cures like.” In other words, something that causes specific symptoms in a healthy person can, in a very small dose, treat an illness with similar symptoms by triggering the body’s natural defenses and immune system.

Remedies are made from a variety of plants, minerals and even animal sources that are chosen to get the desired result. Microparticles of the substance are diluted and agitated vigorously, which helps produce the healing essence of the remedy. Unlike most “allopathic” medicine, which treats problems with drugs that counter or minimize symptoms, it is believed that the lower the dose of the homeopathic remedy, the more powerful the medicine.

The World Health Organization recognizes homeopathy as “the second largest therapeutic system in use in the world.” It works with the body’s natural healing ability to correct imbalances rapidly, gently and permanently. Remedies are safe to use, affordable and FDA-evaluated.

Since it helps strengthen the immune system, it is often used preventatively. Yet it simultaneously targets the root cause of an ailment so it can provide long-term benefits without associated side effects.

Among the many maladies it can help, including physical, psychological and emotional problems, homeopathy can help mitigate both acute and chronic allergies. Here are a few homeopathic remedies that can help remediate seasonal allergies. Remedies are chosen based on the list of symptoms that they most closely resemble. The lists of symptoms below are not exhaustive. For best results, consult with a homeopathic physician.

Allium cepa

This remedy is indicated when symptoms include dull and lethargic feelings, and frontal headache that is worse in the evening and in warm rooms but better in the open air. Other indicative symptoms include nasal discharge that is watery and burning; eye discharges that are thick, with the left side worse; frequent tingling and itching, particularly in the right nostril; and frequent sneezing on rising in the morning.

Arsenicum album

This remedy can be indicated when symptoms include throbbing frontal sinus headache; alternating stoppage of the nose followed by fluent discharges; frequent sneezing with a bit of hoarseness; chills; mental restlessness; trouble sleeping; and feeling worse after midnight or during wet weather.

Euphrasia Officinalis

Symptoms indicating that this remedy might be helpful include watery eyes with burning tears and thick nasal discharge; symptoms lessening in the open air; symptoms worsening in the evening with warmth and when indoors; catarrhal headache; burning and swelling of the eyelids; and frequent blinking.

Pulsatilla

Indicative symptoms include thick nasal discharge with stoppage of the right nostril; pressing pain at the  root of the nose; loss of smell; symptoms improve in the open air but worsen in warm rooms; reduced thirst; peevishness; feeling chilly; and fear of being alone in the evening, the dark and ghosts.

Natrum muriaticum

Symptoms that indicate this remedy might be helpful include nasal inflammation lasting from one to three days that then changes to stoppage of the nose, making breathing difficult; internal nasal soreness; violent sneezing; and loss of smell and taste.

Sabadilla

Symptoms indicating that this remedy might be helpful include spasmodic sneezing; runny nose with severe frontal pains; redness of the eyes with tearing; chills and sensitivity to cold; hay fever-like symptoms; and heat in the head and face while the hands and feet feel icy cold.

 

Gauravi Hiware, CCH is a board-certified classical homeopath. She earned her homeopathic medicine and surgery (BHMS) degree in India and is certified in obstetrics and gynecology. Based in Cumming, Hiware is a member of North American Society of Homeopaths and the National Center for Homeopathy. For more information, visit EffectiveHomeopathicCure.com.