Marilyn received Arundo (reed) for her itching of the soft palate along with paroxysmal sneezing. Within a few days the itching and sneezing were gone. Her symptoms returned a few days later after she used strong glue, then were relieved again after another dose of the Arundo. She re-peated the Arundo as needed for her same hay fever symptoms this year, also with excellent results.

Catherine was given Sanguinaria (bloodroot). Sanguinaria is notably a right-sided remedy and is well-known for right shoulder pain. Combined with the right-sided sore throat, fluent coryza, irritability, and extreme thirst, we felt that Sanguinaria, also known as a hay fever remedy, was a clear choice. Catherine called to days after her visit to say her sore throat was gone, as well as the itchy palate and coryza. Her shoulder pain was much improved. All that remained was some nasal congestion. She told us she was again convinced that natural medicine was the way for her.

When a patient is treated constitutionally homeopathically, for his or her chronic symptoms, he or she may not suffer from hay fever at all, or may continue to need the appropriate acute hay fever remedy when the symptoms arise. Other common hay fever remedies not mentioned above are Euphrasia (eyebright), used when the bulk of the symptoms are focused on the eyes. Patients needing Euphrasia may have a coryza and sneezing, much like Sabadilla and Allium cepa, however the most annoying symp- toms will be the itching, burning, and red eyes with lachrymation. Wyethia is another remedy for profound itching, particularly of the posterior nares, and should be differentiated from Arundo. Naja (cobra) ia helpful for a hay fever with excoriating coryza, lachrymation, and oppressive breathing. They are said to wake in the middle of the night with a suffocative feeling, grasping at their chest. We gave it once successfully to a woman whose asthmatic wheezing was much exacerbated at 2-3 a.m. during her hay fever episodes. Many other remedies, some of them unusual, can also be used very effectively for hay fever.

So, for those of your patients who don't experience relief from their hay fever from other forms natural medicine, consider using homeopathy with them or sending them to a homeopath.

Dr. Judyth Reichenberg-Ullman and Dr. Robert Ullman are licensed naturopathic physicians and are board certified in homeopathy. They are President and Vice President of the International Foundation for Homeopathy where they teach homeopathy to licensed health care professionals. They practice in Edmonds, WA at 131 3rd Ave., N., Edmonds, WA 98020 and can be reached at (206) 774-5599. Their new book, The Patient's Guide to Homeopathic Medicine, is now available.