It's estimated that over 80 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. If you are one of them, you know the symptoms:

Runny nose and nasal congestion

Watery or itchy eyes

Sneezing

Cough

Itchy nose, roof of mouth or throat

Sinus pressure and facial pain

Swollen, blue-colored skin under the eyes (allergic shiners)

Decreased sense of smell or taste

Common triggers include pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds, as well as other allergens such as dust, mold, and pet dander. Allergies can be seasonal—or for some, a year-round problem.

Happily, as research has shown, homeopathy can really help!

Here are a number of homeopathic remedies to consider:

Allium Cepa: Individuals who require this remedy often experience a dull frontal headache in conjunction with their allergies. The dull frontal headache can worsen in the evening and in a warm room, but improve in the open air. Watery, irritating discharge drips from the nose (particularly the left nostril), reddening the lip and wings of the nose. A feeling of rawness in the nose is common. Sneezing of increasing frequency is also common. Eyes are typically watery and red and can burn a bit—giving the sensation of having smoke in one's eyes. Nasal symptoms may begin on the left side and go to the right. There can be a morning runny nose with violent sneezing. Those needing this remedy are generally sensitive to the odor of flowers and the skin of peaches. Symptoms can be worse rising from bed and handling peaches. A shortcut to understanding this remedy would be to think of how you feel when you peel and chop a red onion. If you experience similar symptoms with your allergies, Allium cepa may be a homeopathic remedy to consider. Remember the concept of “like cures like.”

Arsenicum alb: Those needing this remedy are often anxious, restless, and chilly. Eyes may feel as if they have sand in them. The nose may feel alternatingly stopped, followed by fluent discharge, or it may feel totally stuffed and yet flow like a faucet at the same time. There may be a burning sensation in the nose. Discharge from the nose burns a red streak over the upper lip and around the wings of the nose, accompanied by sneezing. Sneezing is often a prominent symptom and starts from tickling in one spot of the nose. Then, after sneezing, a tickling sensation in the nose persists, just as bad as before. The person needing this remedy may also be quite thirsty.

Arum triphyllum: The nose, particularly the left side, feels very stuffed, leaving the person to feel they must breathe through the mouth. They feel worse in the morning. A prickling sensation in the nose that cannot be left alone is present. The patient pinches, pricks, and bores his finger into the nostrils, however sore. The person needing this remedy often experiences sneezing that often worsens at night.

Dulcamara: Those needing Dulcamara will find their nostrils entirely filled up, preventing breathing through the nose, with constant sneezing and a profuse discharge of water from the nose and eyes. These symptoms worsen in the open air, upon waking in the morning, and in the evening, and improve in a closed room. The eyes can sometimes be swollen and full. It is not uncommon for the nose to be most affected, followed by the eyes feeling worse. People needing this remedy cannot bear to be near cut grass or newly mown hay but can feel better by the ocean. Those needing Dulcamara are uncomfortable in the cold and wet and worse from a chill when hot.

Euphrasia: Cases requiring this remedy often center on symptoms affecting the eyes. Profuse, acrid tearing is extremely common for those needing this remedy, with the eyes burning slightly and require frequent blinking. There is also a profuse, bland discharge from the nose, the opposite of what is seen with Allium Cepa. The eyelids may also itch and burn as well as swell a bit. The eyes feel worse in the open air and wind. A dull frontal headache is not uncommon.

Lachesis: Paroxysms of sneezing are worse after sleep even in the daytime. Headache extends into the nose, with frequent and violent paroxysms of sneezing. The mucous membrane in the nose is thickened with a dry, stuffed sensation through the head. The face can be red and puffed. The eyes seem almost pressed out. Red, sore nostrils and lips are present. Lachesis patients frequently wake up feeling worse; their throats are sensitive to touch or pressure.

Natrum Muriaticum: There is watery discharge from the eyes and nose. Discharge from the nose can resemble egg white. Discharge from the nose can be so severe that one has to lay a towel under the nose. “Woke with headache; after rising nasal discharge with violent and frequent sneezing.” Loss of taste and smell is common. There can be a cough from tickling in the throat pit. Tears are acrid and the corners of the eyes can be red and sore. The headache may be throbbing as if caused by little hammers. Someone needing this remedy will often feel worse in the sun, have a craving for salt, and experience relief at the seaside.

Nux Vomica: Distressing, prolonged periods of sneezing are common, as are excessive irritation in the nose, eyes, and face. There is heat in the face as if a hot iron plate were near it. Forehead may feel heavy and full. The nose often feels obstructed and dry—particularly at night—with fluent discharges during the day. The nose can also feel blocked when outdoors but runny when inside. Nux patients are irritable, sensitive to cold, and often have a great sensitivity to odors.

Pulsatilla: Loss of smell, thick yellow discharge, and the patient feels better in open air with this remedy. The discharge from the nose is bland and does not irritate the skin. There can be congestion of the nose at night and a copious flow in the morning. Also, free-flowing nasal discharge in the open air and a stuffed feeling in a closed room. This patient can be a bit weepy and crave sympathy. They also tend to be thirstless by nature.

Sabadilla: Spasmodic, sometimes violent sneezing with a runny nose is common. Nostrils can also be stuffed up and inspiration through nose labored. Itching inside the nose is common, as are severe frontal pains and red eyelids. Patients are very sensitive to smell of garlic.

Sticta Pulmonaria: For someone needing this homeopathic remedy, there is a constant need to blow the nose, but no discharge results due to the dryness. The nose is stuffed up (particularly at night); the secretion dries so rapidly that it cannot be discharged. There is almost constant sneezing with tingling on the right side of the nose. There is often fullness and pressure on the right side of the forehead, extending to the root of the nose, and excessive dryness of the soft palate. Tickling high up in the throat is common.

Wyethia: For individuals requiring this remedy, along with a runny nose and sneezing, there may be a peculiar itching on the roof of the mouth. For relief, the patient must draw the tongue back and forth over the soft palate.

The key to choosing the correct remedy is ALWAYS the same. Match the characteristic symptoms of the patient to the characteristic symptoms produced by our many remedies—and you will have a happy outcome every time. As with any medical condition, consult your physician if you have concerns about the severity of your illness, as it may initially require a medical diagnosis and/or intervention and monitoring.

About Dr. Lisa Samet:

Dr. Lisa Samet N.D. provides Washington Homeopathic Products with a regular column on using homeopathy for the family. She's a naturopathic physician who specializes in homeopathic medicine. Dr. Samet graduated from the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine in 1998 and has been practicing in Montreal since then. She was born and raised in New York.

Dr. Samet has chosen to focus on homeopathy because in her experience it is the deepest healing modality available in that it does not just soothe or palliate symptoms but can actually stimulate the body to start to heal itself. Dr. Samet sees patients in her Montreal office as well as long distance using Zoom, Skype, or Facetime. Learn more here: Dr. Lisa Samet. You can follow her on Facebook as well. 

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