Hayfever An Allergic Response To Pollen

Here in the UK, hayfever symptoms can be a problem for 1 in 5 people at some time or another. From late-March to mid-May, tree pollens are in the air. Mid-May to July, grass pollens affect sufferers and in late-June to September, weed and flower pollens are common allergens. Pollens in the UK will also have been sprayed with pesticides, adding chemicals to the equation; genetically modified pollens also have a different energy structure to natural pollens. There are also environmental issues to consider, the levels of airborne pollution, exposure to toxic chemicals and poor air quality all have bearing.

What is an Allergic reaction?

The immune system will defend and aim to destroy bacteria, virus and toxins entering the body. In allergy sufferers, the immune system cannot distinguish between the harmful and non-harmful substances.

The immune system creates antibodies or `markers` for any substance it recognizes as posing a threat to the body. The antibodies attach to the pollen antigens and when there are enough antigens present, the antibody sets off a chemical reaction into the mast cell. The mast cell bursts open, releasing a chemical called histamine; this is an inflammatory chemical that causes the allergy symptoms. (1)

The health kinesiology view observes that `allergy is an altered energy response at tissue level. Tolerance is a metabolic issue, how much of a substance can the body handle at any given time without reacting to it. ` (3)

Common Symptoms of hay-fever

Symptoms can vary from mild to severe. In the case of a severe reaction breathing can become a problem, seek medical assistance as soon as possible. Patients are commonly given steroids and antihistamines.

  • Where the allergy starts in March, tree pollens are the culprit. This group is more likely to experience OAS – oral allergic syndrome. The symptoms include swelling, sore throat, tongue and mouth. Symptoms are exasperated by ingesting certain fruit or vegetables that have similar proteins to the tree pollen proteins, therefore causing the immune system to react in the same way. (2)
  • Mild to severe sneezing.
  • Itchy, runny nose.
  • Conjunctivitis, watery, swollen, itchy and red eyes.
  • Asthma attack can be brought on by an allergic reaction to pollens.
  • Other symptoms include a loss of energy and mental clarity as the body`s blood pressure drops down low.

Health Kinesiology – a bio-energy approach to allergy

Health Kinesiology takes a different approach to allergy from conventional medicine. We see allergy as a specific disturbance to the bioenergy system in response to any substance, food, inhalants, pollens, pesticides etc. Along with the physical cause, there are always emotional and psychological issues involved in an allergic reaction that are also addressed as part of the process.

For allergy, intolerance, sensitivity and toxic issues that don`t respond to the allergy tap below, a Health Kinesiologist can perform an advanced technique SET. An SET correction will confirm whether this is a tolerance/sensitivity issue or an actual allergy. This is confirmed by kinesiology muscle testing whilst touching the allergy test point, the suspected allergen (in a glass vial) is placed on the accupoint CV6. The body`s biofeedback may also indicate other substances that are causing similar issues, the practitioner has a whole range of test kits, containing substances that we ingest, inhale or come into contact with during daily life. Substances that are not causing problems but have an energy pattern that will strengthen and smooth the process for the body may also be indicated.

Once the pattern has been established, the health kinesiologist will correct the meridian flow therefore addressing the energy disturbance to the substance it currently recognises as an allergen.

Intolerance can cause very similar symptoms; the amount of a substance the body is tolerant of can be established efficiently with muscle testing.  Health Kinesiology bioenergy corrections may be appropriate to increase tolerance levels.

To support the body`s recovery further recommendation may be given such as dietary changes, nutritional supplements, hydration, rest and sleep etc. During the initial HK session, your energy system will accurately indicate the number of sessions involved to respond to this issue, in my experience 1 – 3 sessions are typical.

Here’s what you can do at home

Through the warmer months, updated information on the UK pollen counts is available at the Met Office. The pollen count measures the volume of pollen in the air at different times of the day, worst times being mid-morning and dusk. The heat, humidity and wind speeds are all contributing factors affecting pollen count.

Reduce exposure:

  • The time of year when hay-fever occurs will be an indicator of the types of allergens involved. If you know what is triggering your hay-fever, you can actively avoid it. Take an HK bio-energy sensitivity test to find out which substances you are currently intolerant of.
     
  • Avoid going out during the hours when the pollen count is high, keeping all windows closed at home, at work and in the car. In severe cases where being outdoors cannot be avoided, shower and change into clean clothes on your return, washing outdoor clothes to get rid of the pollens.
     
  • Vaseline applied to the entrance of the nostrils, will act as a barrier to airborne pollen. To protect sensitive eyes, cycling glasses wrap around the front and sides of the eyes, and will act as a barrier.
     
  • Avoid all known intolerances to foods, household chemicals, and toxic inhalants. Coffee, alcohol and smoking are all irritants during allergy state, rather than stimulate the body, calm the body with alkaline and neutral foods and beverages. Drink plenty of water to flush tissues.
     
  • Optimum nutrition may significantly reduce the severity of allergic reactions.
    Particularly helpful supplements include:
                                                                            
    • Multi vitamin-mineral formula                                                                               
    • Vitamin C – is the main antioxidant in the cells of the respiratory passages, having anti inflammatory/anti-histamine effects.                                    
    • Vitamin B – pantothenic acid will reduce nasal congestion.                          
    • Quercetin – inhibits the release of histamines without any side effects.          
    • Omega 3 – (fish oil, Krill oil and flaxseed) reduce inflammation. (4)

Turn off or reduce an allergic reaction

Allergy Tap

Allergy tap was discovered and developed by Dr Jimmy Scott PhD, founder of HK. (3)

Allergy tap will work for most allergens up to 90% of the time. It will cause symptoms to subside, therefore turning off the current reaction. This procedure can be used to prevent or reduce a reaction, to address the allergy state more fully an SET kinesiology technique can be performed by a qualified Health kinesiologist.

Allergy tap is best used immediately you feel the onset of an allergic reaction, or during a reaction to turn it off. Eight paired accupoints are tapped for a minimum of 30 seconds; follow your feeling before moving on to tap the next pair of accupoints simultaneously.

To begin, first tap around your thymus gland in a circular, anti-clockwise direction i.e. down towards the heart on your left side and up from the heart from your right side.

  • Bladder 1 –tap beside the nose at the inner corner of the eyes.
     
  • Kidney 27 – tap just below the collar bone, beside the breast bone and above the first rib.
     
  • Bladder 67 – tap outside edge of the little toes, just below the nail cuticle.
     
  • Kidney 1 – tap centre of the balls of the feet.
     
  • Stomach 1 – tap cheekbones, just below the centre of the eyes.
     
  • Stomach 45 – tap outside edge of the second toes, just below the nail cuticle.
     
  • Spleen 1 –tap inner edge of the big toes, just below the nail cuticle.
     
  • Spleen 21 – tap measure along the torso halfway between the armpit and the elbow.

Although the reaction process is fully understood, the reasons why the immune system reacts this way can be complex, involving metabolic processes. There are often underlying issues involving nutritional status, digestive disorders, addiction, aids and lowered immunity, pollution and toxic overload, hormonal changes, stress, shock and depression for example.

These underlying imbalances need to be identified and addressed to prevent future allergies from occurring.

I hope this article has been helpful and encourages you to take hay-fever issues in hand to enjoy the bounty of summer to the full.

References:

  • Patrick Holford – Optimum Nutrition
     
  • Dr Jill Jenkins 2009 – Allergic Rhinitus
     
  • Dr Jimmy Scott Phd, founder of Health Kinesiology www.subtlenergy.org

Lamberts – Practitioners Guide