Remedies for Hay Fever

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:

1. 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.
2. Clean, clean, clean your nasal passages with a Neti Pot.




3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Echinacea. Health food stores usually have echinacea tea available. Drink the tea, six times per day.
8. Oregon Grape. This tincture is also available in health food stores. Take one teaspoon of the tincture three times per day.




9. Garlic. If you can stand it, eat three cloves per day to help fight a sinus infection.
10. 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.
11. 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.
12. Vitamin C has antihistamine properties. Take at least 500-1000mg per day.
13. Homeopathic Remedies, include Euphrasis, NuxVomica, Allium Cepa, Gelsemum and Pulsatilla