Hay fever is usually at its worst between late March and September, especially when it’s warm, humid and windy, as this is when the pollen count is at its highest. Hay fever is an allergic reaction to pollen, typically when it comes into contact with your mouth, nose, eyes and throat. Pollen is a fine powder that comes from plants, meaning it can even get into the house via open windows – much to the dismay of hay fever sufferers.
Six natural remedies and treatments for hay fever
Honey
Honey is said to be a natural remedy for hay fever because the bee pollen in honey can desensitise your body to other varieties.
Increasing honey in your daily diet should significantly reduce hay fever symptoms.
Try, if possible, to use local honey to your area if you want to see the best results.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a well known natural antihistamine and can be found in oranges, lemons and grapefruits.
Also present within these foods are bioflavonoids, which have powerful anti-allergy effects.
The combination of vitamin C and bioflavonoids together provide a natural decongestant and antihistamine for sufferers to help alleviate symptoms.
You should take 1,000mg of vitamin C a day, either in capsules or by increasing your intake through diet.
Chamomile tea
Chamomile tea is both an antioxidant and antihistamine, containing flavonoids that act as an anti-inflammatory agent.
While best orally ingested throughout the day, chamomile tea can also be used as an eye compress to cool swollen, red eyes.
Just brew the tea as you normally would, leave it to cool down, squeeze the excess liquid from the tea bags and pop over the eyes for a relaxing treatment.
Chamomile tea is also excellent at alleviating sunburn pain and symptoms.
Petroleum jelly
Hay fever sufferers hail petroleum jelly as being the ultimate quick hay fever remedy.
Spreading a thin layer of petroleum jelly inside the lower nostril can help combat hay fever and reduce symptoms significantly, as the jelly stops the pollen getting into the nostril.
Petroleum jelly effectively blocks pollen from infiltrating the nasal passage which will keep your symptoms at bay.
For this remedy, take daily during hay fever season and apply before leaving the house.
Garlic and onions
Both garlic and onions have anti-allergen properties that make them a great natural remedy for hay fever allergies.
When summer lands, start cooking with more onion and garlic, as especially for children, it’s easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
Garlic can boost your body’s immune system while also acting as a decongestant to help alleviate minor hay fever symptoms.
Garlic is also an anti-inflammatory and a good source of quercetin, which is a natural antihistamine.
Turmeric and ginger
Naturally hot and stimulating, both turmeric and ginger – either separately or combined – will improve nutrient assimilation.
The combination of these two herbs is a specific remedy for allergic rhinitis, hay fever and colds.
Histamine is, by nature, inflammatory so adding plenty of anti-inflammatory spices into your diet could help alleviate nasal swelling.
While turmeric is most often found in powdered form, try and go for the fresh root.
Post source Daily Express
