Natural Hay Fever Remedies

Hay fever affects about 50 million people in the United States making it one of the most common of allergies. There are many natural hay fever remedies.

Pollens in the air cause hay fever. It is believed that if you consume fresh local honey on a regular basis you will build up immunity to local pollen. Fresh local honey can be found at farmers’ markets or roadside farm stands.

Hay fever allergies are treated with extracts made from this shrub-like herb plant called herb butterbur (Petasites hybridus) that is grown in Asia, Europe, and parts of the United States.. Using herb butterbur extract dates back to use in folk medicine. Butterbur is still being studied as a natural treatment. It is believed that butterbur works the same way as allergic rhinitis (hay fever) medication by blocking the action of histamine and leukotrienis which are inflammatory chemicals connected with allergic reactions. Butterbur, an herbaceous perennial plant, is a herb that is ground and processed into a natural herbal supplement.

Another one of hay fever remedies is Quercetin, This is found naturally in a variety of foods such as apples (eaten with the skin on), red grapes, berries, capers, red onions, red wine and black tea. Quercetin is an antioxidant. It belongs to a class of water- soluble plant substances called flavonoids. The antioxidant prevents the release of an inflammatory chemical histamine from the immune cells. Histamine is involved in allergic symptoms such as itching and sneezing. Quercetin also comes in supplement form. Supplements can be taken daily for hay fever.

Stinging Nettle is also one of the natural hay fever remedies. Stinging nettle has a long medicinal history. Stinging nettle has fine hairs on the leaves and stems which irate your skin if you touch it. However, after processing it, stinging nettle is available as dried leaf, freeze-dried leaf, extract and as capsules. Stinging nettle reduces sneezing and itching caused by hay fever.

Perilla 6000 is still another of natural hay fever remedies. This Chinese herb is ground and processed according to a long folk tradition. It is made into supplements and is available from health food stores.