Various Home and Herbal Remedies for Hay Fever

You'll find a list of various home and herbal remedies for hay fever and home treatment for allergic rhinitis on this page.

What is hay fever? What is the main cause of hay fever? What are the common symptoms of hay fever?

Hay fever is medically known as allergic rhinitis. It has nothing to do with hay and does not cause you to have a fever. Hay fever is caused by inhaling or breathing in an allergen. Your immune system assumes that the allergen is harmful to your body and it produces antibodies which then release histamine into your bloodstream. Histamine is a chemical that will cause the symptoms of hay fever.

Some of the common allergens are pollens from grass, trees and weeds. Inhaling spores from fungus and mold can also cause your body to respond and produce an allergic reaction. Dried skin flakes and saliva from birds, cats and dogs may also cause hay fever. Dust, mites and cockroaches are some other triggers that can result in the symptoms of hay fever.

Hay fever symptoms include runny nose or watery discharge, sneezing, stuffy nose or nasal congestion, itchy nose, eyes and throat and teary eyes. If it is serious, the symptoms may include headache, puffy eyes, sore throat, cough and temporary loss of sense of smell and taste.

Herbal remedies for hay fever No. 1 - Herbs for hay fever

1. A study published in 1999 stated that the leaves and seeds of alfalfa have the potential to treat hay fever and also asthma. Taking alfalfa as a supplement is beneficial because it contains 8 essential amino acids, a high amount of chlorophyll and many vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, B6 and E and also it contains beta carotene. Beta carotene, vitamins A and vitamin E are antioxidants and they help strengthen the immune system.
   
   
   
2. Taking butterbur extract as a supplement is helpful because it helps the body fight against seasonal allergies.
   
   
   
3. Drinking black or green tea will also help provide hay fever relief. Taking green tea extract is beneficial because it has antioxidant benefits.
   
   
   
4. You may also try the combination of goldenseal and echinacea extracts as natural remedies for hay fever. These herbs help clear stuffy nose and also strengthen your immune system.
   
   
   
5. You can drink mullein flower tea if you have developed symptoms associated with hay fever such as stuffy nose or nasal congestion and sore throat.
   
   
   
6. Stinging nettles contain quercetin which has anti-histamine and anti-inflammatory properties and it slows down the release of histamine. Feverfew is another herb that helps hold back the release of histamine.

Remedies for hay fever No. 2 - Dietary supplements

You can take quercetin supplement and gain from its antioxidant, anti-histamine, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. Taking bee pollen regularly may help prevent hay fever. One of the symptoms of hay fever is watery mucus and bromelain may help reduce it.

MSM is also helpful as it improves mucus membranes and reduces allergic reactions. Including fish oil or flaxseed oil which contains omega-3 fatty acids will help in reducing the production of inflammatory chemicals. This in turn may reduce and prevent hay fever.

Home remedies for hay fever No. 3 - Alternative hay fever remedies

You may want to consider trying allergy release hypnosis as an alternative treatment and to alleviate hay fever symptoms such as itchy eyes and nose. What you need to do is lie down and listen to the recording as it helps you relax, alter your brainwaves and provide positive and healing suggestions.

Some studies found that getting an acupuncture treatment once or twice a week for several weeks may help improve the symptoms and reactions to allergens.

Remedies for hay fever No. 4 - Controlling and coping tips

1. One of the best ways to prevent hay fever is to avoid the triggers or allergens. If you want to avoid year round hay fever, it's wise that you live in a dust and mite free home. If you have a pet at home, don't pet it or go near it.
   
   
   
2. Stay indoors during the pollen season and if you must go out, wear a mask to avoid from breathing in the pollen in the air or from grass, trees and weeds.
   
   
   
3. Eat foods that contain beta carotene such as carrots, collard greens, kale and sweet potatoes. Beta carotene is an antioxidant and also a provitamin A. It boosts your immune system and also releases vitamin A when your body needs it.
   
   
   
4. Use a neti pot with saline solution to clear your nose. Another way to relieve the stuffy nose is to inhale steam.

Be Allergy Free for Life

Back to Remedies for Various Conditions and Diseases

Back from Remedies for Hay Fever to Various Home Remedies