Many different so-called wonder-cures for hay fever have come and gone over the years. This is particularly evident online, as one searches for a drug-free natural alternative to conventional hay fever medication. The problem is that many of these remedies, which sound attractive at face value , have no track record or clinical evidence base. Mere anecdotal reports of efficacy aren’t robust enough to allow their large-scale endorsement by the medication regulatory authorities. However many people do find them enticing and feel they do help alleviate those incapaciaiting hay fever symptoms that so badly affect our work, school and social lives during the peak pollen season when we really want to be outdoors enjoying the summer.
Nasal pollen filters have been around in various guises for over 100 years, but some recently developed nasal plug filters with effective HEPA (high efficacy particle arresting) filters seem on first impression to provide encouraging protection from pollen, although not yet readily available on the UK market.
Nasal sprays that deposit a fine protective film of particles that impede pollen deposition on the nasal membranes have reached the local market. Most have no proven efficacy in clinical trials but seen harmles enough, and these include Prevalin thixotropic and Nasaleze micro-gel barrier sprays which seem to have a soothing effect on the nose.
Portable infra-red light treatments directed into the nose using using two small probes have been purported to help symptoms, although the exact physiological basis on which they work seems unclear. A number of these products have also reached the UK market and can be bought at health stores or online. Products now available in the UK include Bionase and Medinose, Lumie Haylight Light diodes.
Modern acupauncture meridean activating devices such as Hay band and Qu-Chi acupressure bands worn on the arm are readily available on the internet, but again their effectiveness in controlling hay fever has not been proven.
Taking a daily teaspoonful of locally-produced honey, starting a few months prior to the pollen season, may or may not be effective in providing a form of pollen desensitisation. Medibee bee pollen capsules seem less likely to effect a hay fever cure especially when the sales phrase is (“bees don’t get hay fever”). As far as I can remember from my GSCE biology days, bees don’t have a nose in the first place.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1378328/Is-allergy-real-just-reaction.html
