Hay fever and rhinitis are often seen as trivial ailments but these annoying and sometimes distressing complaints now affect about 15% of the population in the UK*. Conventional medications such as antihistamines and topical steroids, although more refined than they once were, can cause unwanted side effects such as drowsiness, and are generally only effective when used regularly. Using homeopathy for the treatment of hay fever and rhinitis has the following benefits:

Homeopathy is safe to use. Homeopathic medicines are free from the sedative side effects of conventional antihistamine medications.
Homeopathic treatment can be tailored to the individual. Every allergy sufferer experiences his or her allergy in a different way. Rather than offering blanket suppression of symptoms, the homeopathic practitioner selects a medicine that is matched to the symptom or allergy 'picture' of the patient.
Treatment does not have to be continuous. A short course of homeopathic treatment at the beginning of the hay fever season may give relief for weeks or even months at a time.

The effectiveness of homeopathy in the treatment of hay fever is supported by published research, including papers in both the Lancet and the British Medical Journal**.

A number of homeopathic medicines are available over-the-counter to help with the symptoms of hay fever and rhinitis (see table below). For treatment tailored to the individual (known as ‘constitutional’ homeopathic treatment) a qualified homeopathic practitioner should be consulted. A list of homeopathically qualified doctors and other healthcare professionals is available from the British Homeopathic Association by calling 0870 444 3950 or at www.trusthomeopathy.org

*Source: Allergy UK

**The research evidence base for homeopathy: a fresh assessment of the literature. Dr R T Mathie, Homeopathy (2003) 92, 84-91; references 36-41, 43 & 44. This paper can be viewed online at: http://www.trusthomeopathy.org/pdf/Mathie_research_review_April2003.pdf

Homeopathic medicines that can help the symptoms of hay fever and rhinitis

All of the remedies below may be given in the 6c potency, initially two to four times daily and reducing the frequency with improvement.

Homeopathic medicine	Symptoms
Allium cepa	Bouts of sneezing; burning nasal discharge causing sore nostrils and upper lip; eyes itch and water profusely but do not burn; better in cold room or open air; worse in evening; tickly cough
Ambrosia	Intolerable itching of eyelids; profuse tears due to smarting and burning of eyes; runny nose, may have stuffed-up feeling; asthmatic attacks
Aralia racemosa	Frequent sneezing; marked wheezing, especially when lying down; feeling as if something in throat; worse for least current of air
Arsenicum album	Constant sneezing; thin, acrid discharge but nose feels blocked; eyes burning, hot; puffiness around the eyes; useful if there is a tendency to asthma
Arsenicum iodatum	Irritation and tingling in nose with constant desire to sneeze; nasal discharge burning; burning watering of eyes; may have dry wheezy cough
Euphrasia	Eyes severely affected with profuse burning watering; burning and swelling of eyelids; nasal discharge and sneezing but not burning; headache and aversion to bright light; worse for warmth
Sabadilla	Sore throat, often on left side; sore to swallow; dry throat, watering eyes; sneezing
Wyethia	Particularly for symptoms confined to back of nose and throat; dry and intensely itchy; dry wheezy cough

Notes to editors:

1. Homeopathy is a therapeutic system which has been used for over 200 years. It works on the principle that ‘like cures like’ so an illness is treated with a substance which could produce similar symptoms in a healthy person. Homeopathic medicines are given in a highly diluted form and so are completely safe. They are an ideal medicine for children, babies and for nursing and pregnant mothers under the supervision of an appropriately qualified practitioner.

2. The British Homeopathic Association (BHA) is a registered charity, which aims to ensure high-quality homeopathy is an integral part of general and specialist health care. The BHA works towards this goal by providing information to the public, promoting access to treatment and supporting the homeopathic education of healthcare professionals and research.

3. Contact details for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals who are trained in and practise homeopathy are available from the British Homeopathic Association by calling 0870 444 3957 or at www.trusthomeopathy.org - click on ‘Find a practitioner’.

4. There are five NHS homeopathic hospitals in the UK (Bristol, Glasgow, Liverpool, London, Tunbridge Wells) which can take referrals for conditions such as hay fever and rhinitis from GPs and specialists.

Contact Sarah Buckingham, Publications and Communications Officer

on 0870 444 3957 or at sbuckingham@trusthomeopathy.org

Homeopathic medicine

Symptoms