For some people, spring, and fall, means one grave thing: allergy season. Sniffing, sneezing and watery eyes are not just a nuisance, they can lead to those dreaded sinus infections, and then work their way through to bronchitis. Do I sound as if I’ve been there? I have. My doctor has several names for hay fever, including nasal allergies, sinusitis, pollinosis or seasonal allergic rhinitis. Hay fever remedies should start sooner, rather than later. Many of these have the best impact if we start them before the symptoms start. Here are 13 to try:
- Chamomile Essential Oil. Simply add a drop (so strong, one drop is all you need) of pure Chamomile Essential Oils
, or Melissa Essential Oils
, to a tissue and sniff often. Simple, but powerfully effective remedy.
- Clean, clean, clean your nasal passages with a Neti Pot
.
- Horseradish. Peel horseradish root, and place in food processor or juicer to create a pulp. Add the juice of 2-3 lemons. Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator. Take half a teaspoon at a time between meals, until the sinus and mucus area is cleared up.
- Apple Cider Vinegar. My favorite remedy is back. Even before hay fever season starts, mix vinegar with 1-2 teaspoons of honey in a glass of water, three times a day. Continue this through the entire hay-fever season.
- Eucalyptus. Add two or three drops of eucalyptus essential oil to a bowl of hot water, put your head over the bowl, and make a tent out of a towel. The Eucalyptus will move right into your sinuses to loosen the mucus.
- Thyme, Rosemary and Peppermint. Pick the leaves off the plants you’ve picked up at the grocery store and throw them into a bowl of hot water and follow the instructions above, making a tent of the steam. No leaves? Raid your spice rack. A tablespoon of each herb should do the trick. Or, you can always use one or two drops of the essential oils. Thyme has always been very good to me when I’m suffering… somehow this herb gets right into the chest and heals deeply.
- Echinacea. Health food stores usually have echinacea tea available. Drink the tea, six times per day.
- Oregon Grape. This tincture is also available in health food stores. Take one teaspoon of the tincture three times per day.
- Garlic. If you can stand it, eat three cloves per day to help fight a sinus infection.
- Quercetin is an antioxidant, called flavonoids. You can get capsules at health food stores. The dosage for hay fever is 200 and 400 milligrams three times a day.
- Omega-3 fatty acids. Fish oil capsules are one source. (Not for those who are on blood thinners, or for those who will or have had surgery). Or you could take one tablespoon of flaxseed oil two to three times a day. Or, one ounce of walnuts.
- Vitamin C has antihistamine properties. Take at least 500-1000mg per day.
- Homeopathic Remedies, include Euphrasis, NuxVomica, Allium Cepa, Gelsemum and Pulsatilla
My ex-wife used to suffer terribly from hay fever. Her eyes watered so much she could hardly see. I tried not to be too smug – -I don’t suffer at all. I have never been allergic to anything in my life.
We grow our own rosemary. It has such a lovely aroma. Happy TT.
I am really into essential oils and herbs – so I use several of these. I’m unhappily blessed with allergies. Never had them until a few years ago. I wonder if I stepped on a flower long ago and this is revenge?
Smiles,
Holly
The first one is my fave – that’ll be an easy one to get the kids to do. 🙂 What a great list – thanks for sharing!!!
I’d love it if you were my friend! And not just because my friends are all successful, either. You’re just cool.
This list is extra interesting because #2’s clearly got the spring allergy thing happening. She’s too little for many of the choices on the list, but I think I can get her into more citrus and Vitamin C. It’ll help her ecxema, too, I bet.
Very informative list – thank you!
I’ve also heard that a few teaspoons of locally produced honey would help.
Worth a try…
My husband used to suffer so much every single year but since relocating to Dubai last year, he is a happy man! Great tips on your list, though.
I will try all of these this spring! Great list.
Chamomile? I actually have a vial right here. I’ll definitely try this, my allergies are the worst they’ve been in years.
Thanks for all the tips.
Wow, this is such timely advice. I needed this BADLY this week!. Thanks.
(Yes, Sonic Youth used screwdrivers!)
Great timing with this list! My sons’ spring allergies are just kicking in. Thanks!
My husband has bad allergies – he takes stinging nettles for them. They work really well. We’ve never tried most of these remedies – but we will this year!
Claudia, Stinging Nettle is GREAT for allergies. This is one I didn’t mention. That gives instant relief.
If claritin doesn’t work, I sure will try some of these! Thanks for the list, and happy TT!
I am definitely going to try these. Maybe all of them! Hayfever season grabs me by the sinuses and won’t let me go. It’s been a nightmare my whole life!
Wow … this is a wonderful list that I wish I’d had back when I was plagued by ‘spring allergies’ for decades!!! I’m not sure exactly what happened, but most of my allergies are a thing of the past now as long as I don’t stick my face in a flower and inhale ;–)
Hugs and blessings,
I’m definitely braced for the monsters’ allergies to start (they typically end up with ear infections this time of year). I need to buy some essential oils!!
Great ideas, I’ll have to try some of these out.
Thank you, SO MUCH! What bothers me is grasses, beginning in early June through July. I will try some of these! Usually, I just try to stay inside and still I just SNEEZE, SNEEZE, SNEEZE! 🙂
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when hay fever or allergic rhinitis attacks, i just take an anti-histamine like Claritin and it relieves my runny nose.
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