How do you treat hayfever naturally?
Hayfever can be debilitating and demoralising, with a host of unpleasant symptoms ranging from itching eyes and sneezing to sinus problems and excessive sweating. When these afflictions strike, you can often find yourself running towards the nearest pharmacy, desperate for some form of relief.
However, this does not have to be the case, especially if you are weary of the side-effects that can accompany conventional medicines like antihistamines or steroid sprays. The natural world is abundant with hayfever treatments, especially if you are willing to make a few lifestyle changes to complement these remedies. So, what are your options?
- Diet
- Pollinosan Hayfever Tablets
- Natural nasal sprays
- Steam
- Honey and lemon
- Hydration
- Eye drops
- Neti pot
- Herbal sleep remedies
- Acupuncture
- Adrenal support
- Herbal stress remedies
- Rest and relaxation
Read on to find out how exactly these remedies can help your hayfever symptoms.
1. Diet
Many fruits and vegetables are considered natural antihistamines and can, therefore, help to reduce inflammatory hayfever symptoms such as eye irritation, congestion and sinus headaches. Blueberries, carrots and mango are just a few of these anti-inflammatory options.
On the other hand, certain food and drinks are considered inflammatory so can worsen these kinds of issues. This includes alcohol, caffeine and anything containing refined sugar like biscuits and cake.
Find out more in my blog '7 nutritional tips to help you survive the hayfever season'.
2. Pollinosan Hayfever Tablets
Unlike conventional hayfever medicines such as anti-histamines, Pollinosan Hayfever Tablets are non-drowsy and are made using seven different types of herbs to tackle a wide range of the symptoms experienced with hayfever.
The remedy primarily targets the common symptoms of hayfever, such as congestion, sneezing, eye irritation and a sore throat. It is suitable for anyone over the age of 12 and can be taken in conjunction with Pollinosan Nasal Spray.
3. Natural nasal sprays
If your hayfever symptoms revolve predominantly around nasal symptoms like congestion and a runny nose, then you could always try our Pollinosan Nasal Spray.
This is a natural product that contains no preservatives and is suitable for anyone over the age of 6. It works by cleansing the nasal passages of potential allergens, and hydrates the nose, restoring fluid and moisture.
This product is suitable for those over the age of 6.
4. Steam
A blocked nose is a prominent hayfever symptom, caused by the mucous membranes in your nose, ears and throat become inflamed, preventing fluid from draining down the back of your throat. Inhaling steam is an old home remedy when it comes to relieving congestion.
Two simple ways to inhale steamMethod one: Pour hot, steamy water into a bowl or basin. Once it is full, hold your head over and take several deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. This should unblock your sinuses and soften the mucus membranes in the affected areas. If you want, you could try adding a drop of peppermint or eucalyptus oil into the water, as these are known to relax inflamed sinuses. Method two: Alternatively, run yourself a hot bath or shower. This way you can inhale steam in a more relaxed and comfortable environment. It is also a good option if you are trying to de-stress or take some time out from your normal routine. You could try adding some lavender oil to your bathwater, as this should help you to relax and unwind. |
5. Honey and lemon
Honey and lemon are tried and tested for cold and flu symptoms, but did you know they can also be beneficial for hayfever sufferers?
This solution is normally made by mixing a couple of teaspoons of honey into some fresh lemon juice and hot water. It is usually used to ease sore throats and relieve tickly coughs, but it does contain natural anti-inflammatory properties and can even aid digestion.
In the case of seasonal allergies, local honey can also help your immune system to cope with hayfever as it introduces trace amounts of pollen into the body. Over time, this may help to desensitise your body to the allergen and reduce your unpleasant hayfever symptoms.
6. Hydration
Remaining hydrated is not just a requirement for your overall health and wellbeing; it can also help you to feel better when you are suffering from hayfever.
Water can soothe a sore throat and tickly cough, plus, if you drink enough of it, it can thin the inflamed mucous membranes, alleviating symptoms that are associated with congestion, such as a blocked nose, ears and headache.
Self-Care Tip: How hot drinks can help hayfever symptoms
As well as plain water, there are a number of other liquids that are proven to be beneficial during hayfever season. Find out one particularly good option in my video below!
7. Eye drops
When you are suffering from hayfever, your eyes can often become aggravated by pollen, making them itchy, runny and sore. A.Vogel Eye Drops are excellent for tired, dry or irritated eyes, and they contain Euphrasia.
Euphrasia, also known as Eyebright, is an extremely beneficial herb for the eyes as it may relieve inflammation and swelling, as well as taking the edge off conditions like hayfever. These Eye Drops are suitable to use whilst wearing contact lenses and can be taken by children over the age of 12.
8. Neti pot
A neti pot is an object that resembles a small watering can, which may be used to relieve congestion.
Simply fill the pot with a saline solution or plain water and tilt the liquid down one nostril. It should drain out of the other nostril and relieve congestion in your nasal passages. Once you are done with one nostril, blow your nose and repeat what you have just done on the other side.
| Top tip: Different brands of neti pot may have different instructions for use, so please read these carefully for guidance on how to use your neti pot safely. |
9. Herbal sleep remedies
There is really no underestimating how important it is that you get a good night of sleep, especially if you are suffering from hayfever.
Sleep can help the body to repair itself and allow your mind to work through any issues or challenges that you might have come across throughout your day. When you are unable to sleep, it can have extremely negative consequences for the rest of your body, particularly your stress levels.
This then forms a vicious cycle as when you feel anxious or apprehensive, it can affect your sleep pattern, with one symptom enabling the other and exhausting your immune system at this crucial time. If you are finding it difficult to get to sleep when you are suffering from hayfever, then it might be worth trying our natural sleep remedy, Dormeasan.
Dormeasan is a non-drowsy solution that will not leave you feeling groggy and unfocused the next morning. It contains extracts of Valerian and Hops, and can be taken by anyone over the age of 18.
10. Acupuncture
In a study conducted by the Charité University Medical Centre in Berlin, it was reported that acupuncture could improve symptoms in hayfever sufferers.1 Therefore, it might be worth considering trying a session if you are struggling to find other ways of relieving your allergic reactions.
11. Adrenal support
During hayfever season, your adrenal glands (the glands responsible for producing cortisol and adrenalin) are often placed under a great deal of stress and can struggle to keep up with the demands of your immune system. When this happens, you can often find that symptoms such as fatigue, dizziness and headaches worsen and you are likely to feel generally run down and unwell.
Production of cortisol, the chemical which is produced to counteract the inflammatory properties of histamine, is decreased, meaning that any histamine-induced symptoms will become worse. However, there are a number of ways that you can naturally give your adrenal glands a much-needed boost during this time.
| What can you do? For one, you can try to reduce your body's demand for adrenalin by de-stressing and finding ways to relax. Your diet is also, once again, important and you will need to be consuming plenty of B vitamins, vitamin C and magnesium, in particular. |
12. Herbal stress remedies
If you find that your hayfever symptoms are making you anxious or are affecting your confidence, then it might be worth trying Stress Relief Daytime to help you relax and take control of your allergic symptoms.
Stress Relief Daytime is a natural stress remedy that is aimed at reducing your stress levels in intense situations. The product comes in the form of a tincture that you can mix with a little water and take up to twice daily.
13. Rest and relax
It might be difficult to achieve if your hayfever symptoms are stressing you out, but getting plenty of rest and relaxation during this time is crucial to helping your body recover.
If you are constantly busy, anxious or finding it difficult to switch off, then your body will try to produce adrenalin, a chemical that can trigger the release of histamine, worsening your symptoms and placing additional stress on your immune system.
If you run a busy household, 'me time' might seem like a pipe-dream, but in actual fact it is very important. Take some time out from your hectic lifestyle, either to read a good book, indulge in a hot bath or watch a funny film to destress yourself.
You could try practicing meditation, as this will teach you proper breathing techniques and enable you to have better control over your mind and body. It is proven to naturally lower your stress levels and you can fit it into your everyday routine either by meditating for ten to twenty minutes before the rest of your household gets up, or last thing in the evening before you go to bed, which may even help you to achieve a better night's sleep.
References
1 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19055209/
Originally published 28 August 2016 (updated 17 June 2020)
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