Latest news with #naturalremedy
The Sun
2 days ago
- Health
- The Sun
Mum reveals STINGING herself with nettles banishes hay fever symptoms ‘in minutes' – would you try it?
A MUM claims deliberately stinging herself with nettles "cures" her hay fever - relieving her symptoms in as little as 10 minutes. Rebecca Pullin says she has suffered from a pollen allergy for the last decade and every summer has to put up with irritated eyes, a sore throat and drowsiness. 4 But when her mum Beverly Stickley, 68, suggested she tried stinging herself with a nettle after seeing a post about it online, the mum-of-two decided to give it a go. On a dog walk in April this year, the 38-year-old proceeded to rub the plant on her arm, which caused itchy bumps to develop on her skin. At first Rebecca says she thought nothing of it, but after repeating the "natural" remedy four days in a row she claims it had relieved her hay fever symptoms. The dog walker says whenever she wakes up and feels lethargic, she now stings herself with a nettle - sometimes every day - and claims her pollen allergy symptoms disappear in as little as 10 minutes. Hay fever symptoms are caused by immune system reacting to pollen to produce histamine and other chemicals in the body. As stinging nettles contain histamine, some people believe the plant has anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory properties. Rebecca is now sharing her treatment method in the hopes of helping other people suffering with hay fever this year. Rebecca, from Bath in Somerset, said: ""Hay fever affects me quite a lot as I'm a dog walker and feel lethargic and lack motivation. "This is usually when I know I've got hay fever because I'm not like this normally. "I get really drowsy. It always affects my eyes and they sting. hayfever recommendations from a boots pharmacist "I don't get a runny nose but I got headaches and a sore throat. "I just feel like I'm poorly and exhausted. As soon as I sting myself on a stinging nettle I feel fine. "[In April this year], I got out of my van to do a group walk with my dogs and saw some nettles and decided to sting myself. "I did this for three or four days to see if it worked to begin with and didn't think anything of it. After four days I felt so much better. 4 4 "I tend to rub my arm on the stem and then when I've done this a few times I've stung myself quite a lot. "Now when I feel tired, I sting myself and within 10 minutes I feel different. The stinging nettles help to relieve my hay fever symptoms. "There will be weeks where I feel like I have to do it every day and I'll sting myself to get through the day but then there are times when I haven't stung myself for a couple of days." According to the Met Office, tree pollen occurs typically from late March to mid-May, which is then followed by grass pollen until July and weed pollen occurs from the end of June to September. Hay fever first aid kit Analyse your symptoms and find the best medication kit for you... Antihistamines Antihistamines (cetirizine or loratadine) work by blocking histamine in the body, which is released when the body detects something it thinks is harmful. Histamine causes blood vessels to expand and the skin to swell, but in people with hay fever, also causes an allergic reaction. That's the watering eyes, blocked nose, rashes and so on. Max Wiseberg, airborne allergens expert and creator of HayMax, says that many antihistamines are available on prescription, such as Telfast, which you can see your GP for or get through an online doctor, such as LloydsPharmacy. Telfast, and other prescription-only antihistamine tablets, work in the same way as over-the-counter antihistamines, but are stronger and intended to help with more severe symptoms. 'Get your prescription in advance of the season so you have your medication in time to start taking it at the right time,' he says. 'Some are best taken at least one month before the hay fever season starts." Nasal sprays A nasal spray can be effective in controlling congestion and stuffiness. Pharmacists can advise on nasal sprays (sodium cromoglicate, ipratropium bromide or decongestant), and eye drops, too. Nasal sprays can also help with other symptoms of hay fever 'because the medicine is targeted directly to the nose, which is where the vast majority of allergens enter the body', Max says. Independent pharmacist Rita Ghelani says: 'Try Xlear nasal spray, which contains xylitol, and has anti-bacterial properties and keeps the nasal lining moist. 'If symptoms are more severe, then try an anti-inflammatory nasal spray – sometimes referred to as a steroid nasal spray – which can take a few days to work. 'Start with one that contains beclomethasone, which is used twice a day, in the morning and at night.' Rita also advises cleaning the nose with a saline nasal spray before a steroid spray, saying: 'It will remove sticky mucus from the nasal passage, thus improving the effectiveness of the medication.' Eye drops If itchy eyes are your primary concern, Rita says: 'Try using sodium cromoglicate eye drops. "These make the eyes less sensitive to allergens such as pollen and reduce irritation. "They need to be used four times a day to keep the levels of the active ingredient high enough to be effective. "Keep using them even if symptoms improve. 'Using a good eye drop to lubricate the eyes may also help with dry eyes during the summer months.' This means hay fever is prevalent in the UK during the spring and summer months and with this year's warm, dry weather, it is expected to be worse than normal. Rebecca says she doesn't like taking antihistamine tablets as her hay fever already makes her lethargic and claims these tablets make her tiredness worse. Rebecca said: "I won't take antihistamines as I suffered from drowsiness [as one of my symptoms] and taking these just seemed to make it worse. "I don't know if stinging myself will completely cure hay fever but it definitely at the beginning I had to sting myself a lot more than I did now. "I recommend other hay fever sufferers to try this remedy. "I'd say the irritation from the sting and the feeling of being stung is much better than suffering from hay fever. "When I first stung myself I was aware of the sting but now I don't even feel it. "Also, I noticed the first time I got stung the tingling sensation lasted longer than it does now and goes in a matter of minutes. "I thought if the video could even just help one person, that would be great." It goes without saying that you shouldn't try this if you're allergic to nettle stings. Nettle stings can be itchy and you may feel a stinging or burning sensation. This will usually settle down within a few minutes or a few days and you can often treat them yourself. It may cause a raised red patches on the skin. St John's Ambulance recommends you was the affected area with soap and water and avoid scratching it. If the irritation is severe, cooling the skin with a damp cloth, ice pack, or bag of frozen veggies may help soothe it. In very rare cases, people may have a severe allergic reaction to a nettle sting. Seek immediate medical help if that happens. What other natural remedies do doctors recommend for hayfever? IF you don't want to take antihistamines to keep hayfever symptoms at bay, there are a number of tried and tested natural remedies you can give a go instead. Here's some of the ones doctors recommend: Saltwater nasal sprays Sprays containing Ectoin can both relieve symptoms and prevent them too, expert consultant adult and paediatric allergist and immunologist Professor Adam Fox explained. Steam inhalation Another natural remedy, which is also safe to use during pregnancy as well, is steam inhalation. This solution has been used for centuries to help ease nasal congestion, and is as helpful at reducing hayfever symptoms as it is for sinusitis or a head cold. Wear sunglasses Investing in a good pair of wrap around sunglasses can be vital if you struggle with hayfever, as they can help reduce the amount of pollen that gets into, and irritates, the eyes. Clean pollen away before bed It's also important to ensure you're not taking pollen from the day to bed with you. Make sure you wash your hair and clean your face and eyelashes before bed to stop allergens rubbing onto your pillow and exacerbating symptoms.
Health Line
22-05-2025
- Health
- Health Line
Oregano Oil for Cold and Flu: Does It Work?
Oregano oil may contain components with antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. However, research has not shown these effects in humans. Oregano oil may refer to: Oregano essential oil: This type of oil is more potent and concentrated. You can use it in aromatherapy or mix a few drops with a carrier oil (like jojoba oil) to apply it topically to the skin. Never consume essential oils. Oil of oregano: This oil is not as strong or concentrated, and a few drops can be added to water or juice and consumed. Oregano oil supplements: These are usually capsules of oil of oregano that you can consume. Oregano oil contains several potentially healing compounds, such as: carvacrol thymol terpinene People have traditionally used oregano oil for respiratory health. It's also become a popular alternative remedy for cold and flu symptoms. This is because it contains compounds that may have antiviral properties. However, most of the research on oregano oil comes from test tube and animal studies rather than studies in humans. You can find oil of oregano as a soft gel capsule at most health food stores. You may also find oregano oil tinctures, which you can take orally. You can also buy oregano essential oil as a highly concentrated aromatic, volatile (tending to evaporate) essential oil for external use and aromatherapy. Keep reading to learn more about the research behind the benefits of oregano oil for cold and flu symptoms and how to use it safely. Supplements and safety The FDA doesn't closely monitor supplements and herbs, and issues may arise regarding attributes such as purity, contamination, quality, and strength. It's best to opt for brands that undergo third-party testing to help ensure the supplement contains what the label says it does. It's always wise to talk with your healthcare professional before using any herb, essential oil, or supplement. What are the benefits of oregano oil when sick? Several recent studies have examined the possible health benefits of oregano herbal oil, and the findings are promising but not conclusive. A 2017 study found that oregano essential oil, especially from the leaves of the oregano plant, has strong antioxidant properties. The researchers noted the traditional use of oregano oil in treating fevers and respiratory symptoms, which are both associated with the cold and flu. According to a 2020 review, oregano essential oil can inhibit certain human and animal viruses in test tube studies. These include: The researchers noted that this action is likely due to carvacrol, one of the main compounds in oregano oil. While carvacrol may be more effective against certain viruses on its own, oregano oil is more effective against respiratory viruses, such as flu viruses. However, this research is based on studies done in test tubes and on animals. It isn't yet clear whether it may have these benefits in humans. The human body is more complex, and other variables may contribute. Is oregano oil safe? Oregano oil is generally safe, but it can have some possible side effects. Avoid using oregano oil if you're allergic to mint, sage, basil, or lavender. You may also be allergic to oregano if you're allergic to any of these. Do not use oregano oil if you're pregnant or nursing, and talk with a pediatrician before using it on a child. Don't take oregano oil if you have a bleeding disorder or are on any medications that alter blood clotting. Even if you don't have an allergy, taking oregano oil may cause: nausea vomiting diarrhea stomach problems fatigue increased bleeding muscle pain vertigo headache difficulty swallowing excessive saliva How do I use oregano oil? There are several ways to use oregano oil. You can take oregano oil supplements in capsule form orally or consume an oil of oregano tincture, a specific blend formulated for oral use. For both, carefully follow the dosage instructions on the bottle. If you are using the pure essential oil form, remember never to ingest essential oils. Instead, follow these steps: add a few drops to a steam diffuser or bowl of hot water apply to your skin after adding a few drops to a carrier oil, such as coconut oil Oregano oil is a powerful substance, so it's best to start with the smallest possible dose to see how your body reacts. Once you see how your body responds, you can slowly increase your intake. You should not take more than the recommended amount listed on the package. Also, remember that recommended dosages can vary between manufacturers.
