Seasonal Allergies…Akchhooo!
Seasonal allergies, also known as hay fever, affect millions of people worldwide. Sneezing, itching, congestion, watering of eyes etc. cause debilitating effect on one’s quality of life. Let us briefly explore how or why allergy happens, and how homeopathy can offer relief from seasonal allergies.
Immunity serves as our body's protective mechanism against infectious agents and toxins. However, immune response is sometimes triggered by hypersensitivity, wherein seemingly benign substances such as serum proteins or pollen tend to cause allergic reactions. Allergy specifically refers to atopy and is often used as a synonym for hypersensitivity. Atopy is a familial predisposition characterized by conditions like hay fever and asthma.
The term ‘atopy’ was first coined by Coca in 1923 and literally means ‘out of place’ or ‘strange’. The antigens commonly involved in atopy are typically inhalants such as pollen, household dust, pet dander, or ingested food items such as, eggs, nuts, or contact allergens, that come in contact with exposed skin or eyes.
The predisposition to atopy is generally linked to specific genes (MHC). Therefore, atopy runs in families with an inheritance of the tendency to produce large amount of some specific (IgE) antibodies. The overproduction of these antibodies is usually present in 10 percent of a sample population. It has been observed that bottle-fed babies tend to develop atopy more often than breastfed babies in later life. The symptoms of atopy are caused by a release of the pharmacologically active substances formed following a binding of the allergen (antigen) to the antibody (IgE) attached to a cell membrane. Symptoms manifest based on the route of antigen exposure. For example, antigen exposure through eyes, nose, intestine or skin produces symptoms like pink eye (conjunctivitis), watering and itching of eyes, runny nose, repeated sneezing, upset tummy (gastrointestinal symptoms), and skin troubles (dermatitis), respectively.
Conventional treatments often involve specific desensitization.
In contrast, the homeopathic approach to the treatment of a person suffering from seasonal allergies is individualistic. In Homeopathy, we believe that there is a remedy available in nature for most of the ailments a person suffers in their lifetime. When a person comes with his individual symptoms, a homeopathic remedy is selected based on the similarity of the individual’s unique symptoms with the record of proven homeopathic remedies.
The homeopathic remedies are proven on healthy human beings. This is accomplished through controlled trials wherein a medicinal substance is administered in appropriate potency and dosage to a healthy individual (Prover). The Prover does not know the name of the medicinal substance. After a certain period, the medicinal substance begins to produce symptoms in the Prover depending on their susceptibility. The Prover meticulously writes down all the changes they may have experienced during the proving. At the end of the trial, the Prover submits the report to the proving Supervisor. At this point, after several trials of proving on various healthy individuals of different age and gender, the symptoms that present themselves with the greatest frequency eventually qualify towards the creation of a picture and the record of a homeopathic remedy.
Central to homeopathic philosophy is the principle of “Like cures like”. This implies that a substance capable of producing symptoms in a healthy human being can stimulate healing when administered in an appropriate dose to a person suffering from similar symptoms.
There are more than 100 homeopathic remedies listed for the treatment of hay fever! So, a natural question is “How does a Homeopath select a remedy that is the most suitable for treating your seasonal allergies?”.
To this end, a Homeopath needs to ask you questions to ascertain the expression of the vital force in the form of symptoms unique to you. Therefore, a homeopathic treatment plan is purely individualistic rather than a common treatment protocol for all people suffering from hay fever.
Furthermore, Homeopathy seeks to support the body’s own healing response by addressing the underlying cause of the imbalance in the immune system rather than suppressing the symptoms of an allergy. Homeopathic medications work energetically and help the body regain its equilibrium.
If you are seeking personalized healthcare tailored to your unique needs, consider consulting us to experience the transforming potential of Homeopathy in restoring health, balance and harmony to your life.
References
- Textbook of Microbiology, Sixth edition – R Ananthanarayan, C. K.J. Panikar, Orient Longman
- Organon of Medicine, Sixth edition – Dr. Samuel Hahnemann
