The Natural way to keep hay fever at bay*

The summer is a glorious time for the family to spend more time outside, to have less snotty noses and to enjoy so much. But for some, hay fever can put a real dampener on all of that. Just when others are cold free the summer snot appears, and all that itching hell. Millions of people every year in the UK suffer terribly from a seasonal reaction to pollen, known as hay fever. And it’s way worse to see our little ones itching, spluttering, sneezing and having a miserable time. I've been lucky enough not to have any sufferers amongst my three, but I've seen how it can wreak havoc and I know the stress it causes, so here are my tips to deal with it without having to rely on the hard drugs. Many prescribed treatments are ineffective at best, and pretty powerful on young bodies making them either totally wired or really drowsy. So I'm sharing all the natural options here that at worst don't make a huge change, but at best make a real lasting difference and with zero of the chemical damage and horrible side effects, as well as the foods to get munching:

• I would advocate, just to keep things under control, for any sufferers old or young, taking a high whack of Vitamin C, a powerful natural antihistamine, throughout the summer months, this is a good brand that works for me:

Sambucol Natural Black Elderberry chewable teddies for Kids with Vitamin C; immune system booster – 60 tablets

• A good old fashioned oil that works on the sinuses:

Natural Hay Fever Oil 30ml: ready to apply ''rub on'' aromatherapy oil

• As always, the mechanical protection can often be the most effective, and simplest, and these balms under the nostrils are said to capture a lot of the irritants before they do their damage, this is formulated specially for children:

HayMax Kids Organic Allergen Barrier Balm (for hayfever dust or

• And for the adults:

Haymax Pure Organic Pollen Balm For Hayfever 5ml

• This nasal spray is for after the problem has hit, and is an immediate relief:

All Natural Seawater Nasal Spray with PROPOLIS – for Colds, Blocked Nose & Hayfever, Heals Minor Nasal Injuries. Non Allergic, Suitable for Adults, Pregnant Women and Children (35ml)

• I've read amazing results from using the power of the SaltPipe, using it just 15 minutes a day, the salt particles work in the lungs or nasal passages to reduce inflammation and mucus. Read all the info here:

Cisca Easy Saltpipe The Salt Therapy Inhaler for Allergy and Asthma Another effective, natural remedy that I'm told does wonders can be found here: http://theorganicpharmacy.com/health-beauty/sneeze-away-tincture/189 There are some practical tips that help straight away:

• Keeping the windows of the car shut
• Avoid going outside first thing and at dusk
• Sunglasses can make a real difference

And using the incredible power of foods, is always for me a key one, they can be really effective, simple and delicious! There are so many ways of upping the body’s supply of certain things that can make a very real difference to the way it deals with these allergens and the reaction it has. Hay fever – rhinitis, is an allergic response to pollen. Histamines are produced by the body to combat this and the result is itchy eyes, streaming nose, coughing, sneezing and more. By shoring up our systems with the following foods we can do our best to keep the symptoms down, and in many cases disappear altogether.

• Berries, onions, apples and leafy greens all containing Quercetin – nature’s powerful anti-histamine

• Red Peppers, kiwis, oranges and foods high in Vitamin C – which boosts the immune system and reduces the reactions

• Poultry, cashews and chickpeas for a good dose of zinc – those low in zinc are more likely to have hayfever

• Pineapple is high in Bromelain – a great antioxidant for inhibiting the production of histamine

• Nuts, seeds, oily fish high in Omega Fatty Acids – with crucial anti-inflammatory properties

• Local Honey has been shown to acclimatise the system to the pollen that can irritate it. Try adding a teaspoon or two to yoghurt, smoothies or porridge.

TROPICAL TONIC

• 🍍
• 1/2 cup pineapple chunks
• 2 sprigs mint leaves
• 1 inch ginger peeled
• 1/2 lemon juice and zest
• 1 tsp raw honey
• 🍍

Couple of ice cubes, blitz together in a high speed blender. Enjoy! And removing the following is a really great idea as they are tricky foods that suppress the immune system and can provoke greater reaction:

• Sugar – an immunosuppressant that only hinders the system
• Wheat – often a trigger in the body’s response to pollen
• Dairy products – can increase mucus in the body

All the recipes I create are nutrient dense for immune boosting and keeping allergic responses down , but the following of my recipes are particularly good on these nutrients, and they are all on my website and in my book:

1. Sweet Potato Bhajis
2. Caramel Cashew Energy Balls
3. Sweet Green Smoothie
4. Lime Houmous
5. Florentine Fish cakes

Summer is the best time of year in so many ways, and I just hope some of this information is helpful to alleviate the misery that so many of you and your families have to go through. Do let me know how you go. Here's to a non sniff, itch free summer. Lizzie x * Please seek medical advice for all problems that persist. I am not a doctor.