Spring. The season of renewal and transition, so today we are going to look at some of the most common health concerns as we transition towards warmer, and longer days. One of the most prevalent health concerns at this time of year is hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and it is estimated that one in four people in the UK are affected by hay fever, but the instances of hay fever are rising, cases have trebled over the past twenty years and with research indicating that between 10-15% of children are also affected, hay fever has arrived earlier than normal this year.

As Sarah reports in her article linked below, it’s the weather conditions, weeks of rain followed by days of warmth, that have triggered a steep rise in tree pollen, but notwithstanding that the hay fever season is now upon us. The causes of hay fever are widely known, it is an allergic response to pollen and other airborne allergens, such as fungal spores, and the reaction is further heightened by pollution.
Hay Fever Hits The Headlines by Sarah Stacey

When airborne allergens, such as pollen, enter the body, the immune system produces just the right amount of histamine, which sends signals to the complex structure of blood cells and chemicals that help to protect the body. In the case of hay fever, the body produces far too much histamine, resulting in the inflammation of tissues which lead to various symptoms, including a stuffy nose, watery eyes and wheezing, but beyond these typical symptoms, hay fever can also lead to the disruption of sleep, reduced concentration and an increased risk of developing asthma.

Many people resort to conventional treatments, including antihistamine tablets, but these are not without side effects. There are also many natural solutions available, so we are going to take a look at some of the most effective solutions, beginning with Aller-DMG, our bestselling supplement in this genre which contains several well researched nutrients to regulate histamine levels in the body and improve respiratory function.

Helping to protect the immune system from the symptoms of hay fever, Aller-DMG also supports several other types of allergies including skin reactions and pet dander. Each nutrient has targeted beneficial effects, notably Perilla, a member of the mint family, which has been shown to inhibit the release of histamine from the mast cells, thus helping to alleviate allergic reactions. It is joined by Dimethylglycine (DMG), which is derived from beets helping to oxygenate the tissues of the respiratory system, but it also has an immune-modulating effect, helping to reduce the intensity of allergic reactions. Aller-DMG drops in price from £30 to £26.
Aller-DMG by DaVinci Laboratories £26 for 60 Tablets (offer ends at midnight GMT, Sunday 22 March)

Turning to supportive products for managing the symptoms of hay fever, we’ll begin with A. Vogel’s Eye Drops. Containing Euphrasia, also known as Eyebright, these eye drops help to moisturise and refresh dry, tired and irritated eyes, and most importantly, they are suitable for those wearing contact lenses, important because dust and pollen can often get trapped under the surface of the lenses, which can be extraordinarily uncomfortable. For additional comfort, The Eye Doctor’s Hay Fever Eye Compress uses thermo-regulating and self-cooling technology to help reduce inflammation, swelling, and the general discomfort of hay fever symptoms, including headaches.
Eye Drops by A. Vogel £10 for 10 ml (drops from £11.99); Hay Fever Compress by The Eye Doctor £9

Pollen grains from trees, grass and weeds are tiny and these irritants may also be responsible for causing breathing difficulties, which often accompanies hay fever and we have long recommended The Cisca Saltpipe for respiratory function. The benefits of salt were noticed in the 1940s when abandoned salt mines were often used as bomb shelters and those who sought safety in these mines noticed an improvement in respiratory function, particularly easing the shortness of breath. Using salt from the Transylvanian Priad Salt Mine, The Cisca Saltpipe utilises the benefits of salt mine therapy, helping to calm the cells of the respiratory system.

The Cisca Saltpipe features a CE medical registration and based on daily usage, it will last up to five years, but on from that it is thought that most respiratory disorders such as asthma, allergies, sinus problems and bronchitis are mostly associated with air pollution. Studies have indicated that allergic and respiratory diseases are an increasing problem with some studies showing that approximately 75% of the UK population suffer from one or more of these issues.
The Cisca Saltpipe £33

Staying on the subject of respiratory issues, Ross J. Barr’s Breathe Patches have been created with a selection of herbs and oils with a long history of traditional use to help ease difficulties associated with breathing and respiratory conditions. Including medicinal herbs revered in Traditional Chinese Medicine, such as Japanese Honeysuckle, Skullcap and Gardenia, they come together to help clear heat, dispel mucus and to help relieve coughing, as well as being a soothing solution for seasonal colds. I love these patches, and sharing that love, I am dropping the price of the Breathe Patches from £15 to £12.
Breathe Patches by Ross J. Barr £12 for Five Patches (offer ends at midnight GMT, Monday 23 March)

Let’s talk about honey, Manuka Honey, because the high levels of Methylglyoxal (MGO) in Manuka Honey provide several benefits that can help manage the discomfort of hay fever. As an anti-inflammatory it offers support in helping to reduce inflammation in irritated nasal passages and throat linings, with some studies suggesting that honey may help modulate immune responses when taken alongside dedicated hay fever solutions. Yet, with that noted, much of the evidence regarding the efficacy of honey for hay fever and allergic reactions is anecdotal, albeit many people swear by it for symptom relief.

Given that Manuka Honey has natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, the use of Manuka Honey for differing health concerns is well documented, including topically for wound healing and orally for oral health, where studies show that Manuka Honey helps to reduce gum inflammation and gingivitis. Manuka Honey 15+ Capsules are sourced from monofloral Manuka bushes on New Zealand’s North Island and with each capsule containing 400 mg of freeze-dried Manuka honey powder, it is a convenient and mess-free way to take Manuka Honey, most especially if you don’t like the taste of honey, and many of us don’t.
Manuka Honey 15+ by LifePlan £7.49 for 30 Capsules

Having mentioned that hay fever can lead to the disruption of sleep, mostly due to blocked noses and breathing difficulties, there are of course several other issues which disrupt our sleep patterns, notably stress where it acts as a major trigger for insomnia by causing the body to stay in a heightened state of ‘fight-or-flight’ alertness, increasing cortisol production, preventing deep, restorative sleep.

Cortisol, the stress hormone, inhibits the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, and this creates a vicious cycle where high cortisol levels disrupt sleep and poor sleep leads to even higher cortisol levels the next day. Becoming a biological tug-of-war, cortisol and melatonin are designed to be ‘antagonists’, and when one is high, the other is naturally suppressed, so that cycle has to be balanced and while many pharmaceutical options exist, many seek natural, sustainable solutions to help balance these hormones.

Sleep Tight Plus is one such solution and it has been formulated with several different compounds which are known to support restful sleep including Magnolia officinalis, Avena sativa, Passionflower, Ashwagandha, Theanine, Valerian and Magnesium. Magnolia officinalis has a long traditional use in the treatment of menstrual cramps, nausea and indigestion, but extensive research in Japan determined that ‘honokiol’, one of the active components in magnolia bark, has potent anti-stress and cortisol balancing effects and the magnolia extract in Sleep Tight Plus contains 50% honokiol.

There is one more aspect of sleep deprivation to discuss, because sleep deprivation can also affect the integrity of our skin. Our body works to rehydrate and balance moisture levels while we sleep, so it is important that we replenish those moisture levels with the correct supplementation and here we recommend two products, Hyaluronic Acid and Skin Restoring Ceramides. So, taking Hyaluronic Acid first, with every Sleep Tight Plus ordered, we will automatically include Hyaluronic Acid Capsules High Strength (15 capsules), which is worth £17.50, to support restorative sleep and the balancing of the moisture levels in our skin.
VH Editorial: Are You Getting Sufficient Sleep; DoSe Sleep Tight Plus £26 for 60 Capsules + DoSe Hyaluronic Acid Capsules High Strength (15 capsules) Free (offer ends at midnight GMT, Sunday 22 March)

Ceramides play an important role in the integrity of skin working as a protective barrier and helping to bind together the cells that make up the surface of our skin. However, ceramide levels naturally decrease as we age and with ceramides and lipids holding the skin’s barrier in place, this can lead to a lack of moisture and free radical damage. Free radical damage can lead to inflammation, which affects collagen and elastin production, and although there are any number of ceramide-based skincare products, they are unable to match the steady stream of ceramides from within.

Several years ago, scientists explored the potential of wheat derived ceramides with clinical studies indicating that the ceramides in this wheat extract reached the outer cell layer from the bloodstream, significantly improving skin moisture levels, reducing the discomfort of dry, ageing skin. Skin Restoring Ceramides was formulated based upon those clinical studies and became the first ceramide-rich extract of wheat, derived exclusively from wholegrain, non-genetically modified wheat containing purified oils. Most obviously if you have a wheat allergy, you cannot take this supplement, but notwithstanding that Skin Restoring Ceramides drops in price from £25 to £22.
Skin Restoring Ceramides by Life Extension £22 for 30 Liquid Capsules (offer ends at midnight GMT, Sunday 22 March)

Let’s move on, and we are now going to talk about the Heated Eye Wand LED+, but most specifically the Nickel-Free Heated Eye Wand LED+ which has just been launched. After three years of dedicated research and development, we recently launched the Heated Eye Wand LED+, an advanced model of the Heated Eye Wand and retaining the three core modes, hot compress, gentle massage and Red LED, this advanced model introduced two new innovative features, Green LED light and Amber LED Light, delivering exciting advances in visible light therapy.

Green LED soothes redness and inflammation, and Amber LED minimises redness and visible blood vessels, a common cause of dark circles under the eyes, but on from that we have long recommended the Heated Eye Wand for blepharitis and dry eye syndrome to soothe and comfort dry and tired eyes. Posterior blepharitis is one of the most common forms of blepharitis and is associated with Meibomian gland dysfunction, and with symptoms including dryness, itching, red eye, stickiness and foreign body sensation, the Heated Eye Wand LED+ helps to clear debris and blockages, helping to alleviate the symptoms.

The Nickel-Free Heated Eye Wand LED+ addresses the needs of those with sensitive skin and nickel allergies, so as we launch the Nickel-Free Heated Eye Wand LED+, we launch it alongside another new product from Peep Club, the Ultra Gentle Lid & Lash Spray. Designed for effortless daily use, it has been formulated with Hypochlorous Acid, it is naturally free from all eye irritants and provides a powerful solution to a wide range of eye problems from styes and blepharitis to dry, sensitive eyes, housed in a specially designed bottle to protect the highly reactive molecule from light, heat and air exposure, keeping it fresh and active for up to eighteen months.

With two new products launched, we are going to celebrate those new launches and so when you buy the Nickel-Free Heated Eye Wand LED+, we will automatically send you the Ultra Gentle Lid & Lash Spray which is worth £8.50. This offer also applies to the Heated Eye Wand LED+, but of course the Ultra Gentle Lid & Lash Spray is a stand-alone product and if you are prone to eye infections, which so many of us are, the Ultra Gentle Lid & Lash Spray will help support the health of our eyes. Logistically, this is a limited offer and if the gift fails to go into your basket, that will mean that the offer is over.
Nickel-Free Heated Eye Wand LED+ by Peep Club £95; Heated Eye Wand LED+ by Peep Club £85; Ultra Gentle Lid & Lash Spray by Peep Club £8.50 for 50 ml

I just want to come in here to say that the Heated Eye Wand LED+ will also offer comfort and support for ‘hay fever eyes’. I am more than aware that I have written about the Hot Eye Compress, which has been registered as a Class 1 Medical Device, earlier in this newsletter, mostly because we must always have a choice, but although warm compresses have always been the mainstay treatment, they do not stay warm for any length of time, and that’s all I want to say really, so we move on to another new product launch.

Last year we launched the Anti-Redness & Pigmentation SPF50 by Altruist and although we had extraordinarily high stock levels, it sold out within weeks of its launch. They have just launched a new product to the range, so please allow me to introduce you to Anti-Redness & Pigmentation Light SPF50, a green-tinted daily facial sunscreen and moisturiser, specifically formulated for fair, sensitive and redness-prone skin, such as sufferers of rosacea.

Building on the success of the original formulation, this lighter shade provides a subtle tint for fairer complexions, helping to neutralise redness and even skin tone for a natural, even finish. This cream for redness is lightweight, it has a breathable texture and delivers high-performance broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. Developed by Dr Andrew Birnie, a British dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon, Anti-Redness & Pigmentation Light SPF50 is sensitive-skin friendly and it is a hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and water resistant formulation, making it perfect for everyday sun defence without heaviness or irritation.
Anti-Redness & Pigmentation Light SPF50 £11.75 for 30 ml

Finally, and before we head into the Saturday only treat, some words about Prickly Pear Seed Oil because you just may want to sleep with it on your skin, given that we have been talking about sleep on this Weekend Read. Also known as Cactus Oil, it has the richest source of vitamin E, when compared to other beauty oils, and is full of essential fatty acids, alongside antioxidants and polyphenols. Its benefits are attributable to the concentrated blend of Omegas 6 and 9 and the fatty acid profile of linoleic and oleic acids help to replenish lost lipids, with the high linoleic acid content, which is approximately 62%, ensuring that dry and dehydrated skin is moisturised.

Shabir has written an article about the numerous benefits of Prickly Pear Seed Oil, which I am linking below, and with a recommendation to use Prickly Pear Oil as a treatment product two or three times a week before you go to bed, I am dropping the price of 100% Pure Prickly Pear Seed Oil from £24 to £20 across the weekend.
VH Editorial: The Beauty Benefits Of Prickly Pear Oil; DoSe 100% Pure Prickly Pear Seed Oil £20 for 30 ml

Into the Saturday only treat and with every order placed for £35 and above, excluding p&p, we will automatically send you Dream Coat Supernatural Spray (50 ml)* by Color Wow. Dream Coat is a three-day texture spray, covering each hair strand with an invisible waterproofing cloak to help prevent the frizzing of hair. Full product details linked below.
Dream Coat Supernatural Spray

As we come to the end of this Weekend Read, it would seem appropriate to share some healing music to sleep to and the music chosen uses alpha, theta and delta waves to naturally encourage a state of relaxation, which is perfect for meditation or deep sleep. On theme, I wish each of you a relaxing, peaceful weekend.
Relaxing Lullabies For Adults; The VH Playlist

With love

Gill x