As pollen counts hit spring highs, help is at hand for hay fever sufferers who are looking for an alternative to conventional medication.

Between 15 and 20 per cent of the British population suffer from the often debilitating symptoms of pollen allergy,(1) ranging from sneezing to itchy swollen eyes.

But a survey on behalf of Nelsons Pharmacy showed that 72 per cent of sufferers would prefer a natural alternative to anti-histamines and 79 per cent would like to access natural treatments on the NHS.(2)

And a different survey estimated that hay fever would cost British businesses £324 million in sick days over the summer months.(3)

A number of research trials have shown that homeopathic treatment can produce a significant improvement in hay fever symptoms,(4-7) but what does this involve?

When consulting a homeopath for hay fever treatment, you may find that they prescribe homeopathic medicines for you in two different ways – firstly with the aim of addressing the acute hay fever symptoms when they occur, and secondly to try to reduce the frequency of your hay fever attacks in the first place.

Homeopathy is a system of medicine which is based on treating the individual with highly diluted substances given in mainly tablet form, which triggers the body’s natural system of healing. Based on their experience of their symptoms, a homeopath will match the most appropriate medicine to the patient.

It is recommended that a qualified and registered homeopath (look out for the RSHom designation) is consulted as each sufferer will be treated according to their own individual combination of symptoms and how it affects them.

References:

1. Asthma and Allergy Information and Research website. http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~aair/hayfever.htm

2. One Poll survey of 3,373 respondents on behalf of Nelsons

3. http://www.lloydspharmacy.com (find in information, about us, press releases)

4.  Reilly DT, Taylor MA, McSharry C, Aitchison T. Is homeopathy a placebo response?

Controlled trial of homeopathic potency, with pollen in hayfever as a model. Lancet,1986;2: 881-6.

5.  Kleijnen J, Knipschild P, ter Riet G. Clinical trials of Homeopathy. Br Med J, 1991; 302:316-22.

6.  Launsø L, Kimby CK, Henningsen I, Fønnebø V. An exploratory retrospective study of people suffering from hypersensitivity illness who attend medical or classical homeopathic treatment. Homeopathy, 2006; 95: 73-80.

7.  Kim LS, Riedlinger JE, Baldwin CM, Hilli L, Khalsa SV, Messer SA, Waters RF. Treatment of Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis Using Homeopathic Preparation of Common Allergens in the Southwest Region of the US: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Trial. Ann Pharmacother, 2005; 39(4): 617-24.

From The Society of Homeopaths

Homeopathy offers “alternative” in children’s winter ailments

Many parents are looking for an alternative to paracetamol for their children’s winter bugs, following research suggesting a link between the drug and asthma.

Homeopathic remedies are non-toxic and safe for use in babies and children (1) and research has shown that homeopathic remedies can be effective in children with respiratory tract infections (2), Otitis media (build up of fluid in the ear which can lead to infection) (3) and sinusitis (4).

Some parents are worried about giving their children paracetamol, which is the active ingredient of Calpol, following the publication of research in the Lancet, which found that babies given paracetamol were more likely to develop asthma, as were those in later childhood who were given it frequently. Use of the drug was also associated with a risk of eczema and rhino conjunctivitis (allergy-linked runny nose and watering eyes). (5)

And last year the Medicine and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) removed six cough medicines from sale following fears about possible overdose. (6)

There are many remedies available over the counter that could be useful in childhood winter ailments, each having its own specific characteristics.

Homeopathic medicines commonly used in childhood illnesses include:

Belladonna: indicated where the symptoms have come on suddenly and there is heat, throbbing and pain, irritability, and symptoms worse from jarring. Children can be obstinate and may bite or hit.

Gelsemium: the number one flu remedy, with symptoms slow to come on, where there is much heaviness and drooping, fatigue, clammy skin, flushes of hot and cold, dizziness and congestion.

Pulsatilla: has blocked painful sinuses, sticky mucus, feels better in the fresh air and has a changeable, clingy mood, tearful during a fever and wanting to be carried.

Bryonia: the symptoms are slow to come on, there is much dryness and pains are worse from even the slightest movement. Firm pressure on the affected area is helpful. They are irritable and want to be left alone. Children may reject what they just asked for.

References:

1. Dantas F Rampes H, 2000. Do homeopathic medicines provoke adverse effects? A systematic review. BR Homeopathic Journal 89 (Supl): 535-8

2. de Lange de Klerk, ESM, Blommers, J, Kuik, DJ, et al., “Effect of Homoeopathic Medicines on Daily Burden of Symptoms in Children with Recurrent Upper Respiratory Tract Infections,” BMJ, November 19, 1994;309:1329-1332.; Steinsbekk, A, Fønnebø, V, Lewith, G, and Bentzen, N. Homeopathic care for the prevention of upper respiratory tract infections in children: A pragmatic, randomised, controlled trial comparing individualised homeopathic care and waiting-list controls. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, Volume 13, Issue 4 , December 2005, Pages 231-238.

3.Jacobs J, Springer DA, Crothers D. Homeopathic treatment of acute otitis media in children: a preliminary randomized placebo-controlled trial. Pediatr Infect Dis J 2001; 20: 177–183/ Frei H, Thurneysen A. Homeopathy in acute otitis media in children: treatment effect or spontaneous resolution? Br Homeopath J 2001; 90: 180–182/ Friese K-H, Kruse S, Ludtke R, Moeller H "Homeopathic treatment of otitis media in children: comparisons with conventional therapy". Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1997; 35: 296-301.

4. Adler M. Efficacy, safety of a fixed-combination homeopathic therapy for sinusitis. Adv Ther 1999; 16: 103–111.

5. Beasley R, Clayton T, Crane J, von Mutius, E, Lai, CKW, Montefort, S, Stewart, A. Association between paracetamol use in infancy and childhood, and risk of asthma, rhinoconjunctivitis, and eczema in children aged 6–7 years: analysis from Phase Three of the ISAAC programme. The Lancet2008;372:1039-1048

6. http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON014446