Hay fever is a nasal allergy to dander, pollen and dust in air. The allergy commonly attacks the nose and the eyes. It is seasonal but it can last for as long as a year provided these allergens are still present in the air. The seasons which mostly bring about this condition are fall and spring. The condition is medically referred to as allergic rhinitis referring to the common swelling of nasal airways as a result of the allergy.

A large number of people suffer from this condition annually which affects those who are naturally allergic to allergens. People with immune systems which are sensitive are also more prone to developing the condition compared to those with stronger immune systems. Allergic reactions are a result of antibody production in the system.

Among the symptoms one will experience when suffering from hay fever are nose itching, headaches, coughing, watery and red eyes as well as a stuffy runny nose. Some may also experience itching of the skin, ear, eyes and mouth and sneezing. Other symptoms include sleeping problems, fatigue and sore throat, wheezing and impaired smelling. Apart from environmental causes, the condition can also be hereditary.

Hay fever can be detected through a blood test which monitors the antibodies present on your skin and in the blood. There are several plants which have the tendency to cause hay fever and they include alder, birch, pine, olive and chestnut. Patients may suffer from swollen eyelids as well which can be painful. There are however home remedies that have been proven to work well in the treatment and cure of hay fever. The home remedies for hay fever are natural and simple to use, not forgetting that they are inexpensive compared to other methods of treatment.

1. Home Remedies
2. Other Remedies
3. Diet

Home Remedies for Hay Fever

Green Tea as a Home Remedy for Hay Fever

Properties: Green tea has natural properties which work by blocking histamine secretion that is excessive. This natural capacity of the tea makes it a very good remedy for treating and dealing with hay fever.

Using Green Tea as Treatment for Hay Fever:

The tea should be brewed and taken several times a day to effectively treat the condition. Two cups taken on a daily basis should work well. If you do not have access to green tea, you can use black tea as a substitute. Black tea works well too, although it is considered to be less effective than green tea.

Honey as a Natural Remedy for Hay Fever

Properties: Honey contains various medicinal benefits for the treatment of hay fever. It is also used to treat varying diseases and conditions as it is quite effective. It is commonly used to treat respiratory system conditions.

Using Honey as Cure for Hay Fever:

Honey is best taken in a boiled mix of lemon and minced grapefruit. After mixing well, the decoction should be taken at least thrice daily for the treatment of hay fever. This remedy is considered to be among the fastest and most effective home remedies for the allergy.

Petroleum Jelly a Cure for Hay Fever

Properties: Petroleum jelly remains among the best remedies, especially for most skin conditions. The ingredients found in the jelly have healing properties which work by soothing the area of infection. This makes the home remedy good for people suffering from hay fever, especially those who experience nose irritation.

Home Remedies for Hay Fever Using Petroleum Jelly:

Using this remedy to treat the condition is quite simple since all one has to do is to apply a reasonable amount of the jelly onto the nostrils. You will find that the irritation you initially felt on your nose is relieved, leaving you feeling better.

Chamomile as a Natural Remedy for Hay Fever

Properties:This herb is widely used to treat respiratory and digestive system conditions because of the medicinal values of the minerals and compounds found in it. It especially works well with hay fever as it helps in opening up blocked airways associated with the condition

Using Chamomile as Treatment for Hay Fever:

Take a good amount of chamomile and boil it in water. When it is still boiling or hot, inhale the steam to open up nose and airways that are blocked. The remedy is commonly used and is very effective in relieving symptoms of hay fever.

Garlic as a Natural Remedy for Hay Fever

Properties:The properties of immunity boosting found in garlic are what make it a great remedy for hay fever. It also contains quercitin which effectively prevents attacks of the allergies. This is perhaps the most beneficial remedy you can have. It is also a decongestant, thereby controlling any colds and coughs that could be present. Onions also possess these properties and can be used to treat hay fever.

Using Garlic as Cure for Hay Fever:

Grind fresh garlic cloves and make a paste using a reasonable amount of water. You can also get the paste by mixing garlic powder with water and then take this on a daily or regular basis. Garlic remains to be among the very best home remedies for hay fever.

Thyme as a Treatment for Hay Fever

Properties:This herb contains decongestant properties making it very effective in the treatment of sinus and running nose which are directly associated with hay fever. This remedy is also very good in dealing with coughs that come as a result of the condition.

Treating Hay Fever Using Thyme:

Take thyme powder and add it in boiling water to make tea. After boiling, you can add a little honey to taste and then drink this once daily till your fever is gone. It is not advisable to drink too much of the tea, a cup is enough in a day.

Lime Juice as a Natural Remedy for Hay Fever

Properties: Lime juice has beneficial minerals and nutrients which help get rid of hay fever by strengthening the immune system. This remedy is also a good preventive measure, especially at the beginning of the hay fever season.

Using Lime Juice as Cure for Hay Fever:

Take a little lime juice and add to a lukewarm cup of water. Add some honey to improve the taste and then have the decoction in the mornings. For best results, the mixture should be taken first thing in the morning while the stomach is still empty. People who have allergies towards citrus foods should avoid this remedy.

Indian Gooseberry as a Home Remedy for Hay fever

Properties:The Indian gooseberry is highly concentrated with Vitamin C which is essential in the treatment of hay fever. The simple home remedy is very effective and is popular in most regions as it is used to treat other conditions as well.

Treating Hay Fever Using Indian Gooseberry:

Extract juice from fresh gooseberries, add some honey and take a cup twice a day for a week. The home remedy is very effective in dealing and clearing symptoms resulting from the condition.

Fenugreek Seeds as a Home Remedy for Hay Fever

Properties:The medicinal value of fenugreek remains unmatched in the treatment of various conditions. The herb’s seeds contain minerals which are effective in treating hay fever.

Treating Hay Fever Using Fenugreek Seeds:

Add a tablespoon of the seeds in one cup of water and cover. Place the mixture on the fire and leave it for around 10 minutes. After cooling, take a cup to relieve hay fever. This should be taken on a daily basis till the condition improves.

Peppermint as a Home Remedy for Hay Fever

Properties:Peppermint contains menthol which improves breathing. This is a good remedy for those suffering from congested or blocked airways and nose.

Using Peppermint as Treatment for Hay Fever:

Peppermint oil is the best when it comes to hay fever. Simply place a few drops of the oil in a pan and heat using a medium flame. Let the oil diffuse in your presence so that you can inhale it, thereby relieving symptoms of hay fever.

Other Natural Remedies for Hay Fever

Other natural remedies for hay fever that work well include steam inhalation or aromatherapy. You can achieve this by mixing a few drops of eucalyptus oil into boiling water and then inhaling the fumes. This remedy works by decongesting and unblocking airways that are blocked.

It also helps a great deal to make sure that you have your hair well cleaned before you go to bed to get rid of pollen or other allergens that could have been deposited on your hair and then onto the pillow, exposing you to the condition.

Take lots of vegetable juice to effectively deal with conjunctivitis which is a hay fever symptom. You can mix carrot juice and spinach juice in good amounts and drink the combination daily for about 10 days. The remedy will eliminate hay fever symptoms within these 10 days of use.

Make a point of chewing garlic cloves several times a day as a decongestant and also a way of building your immune system to inhibit allergies. Garlic remains to be among the very best natural remedies for hay fever.

Drink boiled and cooled water throughout the day. It also helps a great deal to drink lots of herbal or plain tea when suffering from hay fever.

Take the uppermost parts of stinging nettle, preferably young plants and then steep in strong tea. After cooling a little, drink the tea to relieve symptoms of the allergy. It is also possible to find the herb in capsule form which you can take on a daily basis.

Another great home remedy for hay fever is nasal irrigation. Take a saline solution and use a net pot to pour it into your nostrils allowing it to come out of the opposite nostril. This is a great way to wash off allergen that could be stuck in your nose giving you relief. The pots are usually sold together with the solution so it will not be a problem to find them.

Mix water with a reasonable amount of apple cider vinegar and then drink on a daily basis. You can measure 2 teaspoons of vinegar in 250 ml water to make a single dosage.

Take hot coffee in the mornings as it acts as a good decongestant, giving you relief from hay fever symptoms. You will find it easier to breathe after drinking the coffee as your airways will be unblocked quite fast. You can take the coffee up to three times a day.

Drink limewater daily, especially during mornings when the stomach is still empty. This is a good remedy for boosting the immune system making it stronger in fighting allergies and other infections as well as diseases.

Diet for Hay Fever and Other Precautions

Diet plays a big role in the treatment and prevention of most diseases, infections as well as allergies. Following the right diet can save us a lot of suffering keeping us in good health and in top shape.

People suffering from hay fever should always eat a healthy and balanced diet for hay fever. It is for instance very important to increase the intake of foods that are rich in Vitamin C.

Avoid taking foods which contain too much sugar, salt and those that are too processed.

Increase your protein intake and drink plenty of water on a daily basis to keep your body well hydrated allowing normal functioning of organs. This is also a good way of keeping the immune system strong enough to fight diseases.

Before taking vegetables or fruits, ensure that they are thoroughly washed. Dirty fruits and vegetables tend to worsen hay fever and should therefore be avoided.

Keep off frozen or processed foods and make a point of eating whole foods as well as natural and fresh products as diet for hay fever. Increase your Vitamin B as well as Vitamin E intake to effectively control and manage hay fever.

Meat intake should be limited since the arachidonic acid found in it can contribute to inflammatory or allergic reactions. It is also very important to avoid wheat foods such as bread, noodles and pasta.

Avoid alcohol as it tends to congest the liver, thereby increasing chances of contracting hay fever. Red wine and cheese should also be avoided at all times as they contain histamine which can aggravate the matter.

It is also very important to avoid the foods you know you are allergic to for the prevention of bouts of hay fever.

It is always good to avoid spending too much time outside the house in the early mornings or late evenings. At these times the air tends to contain more pollen compared to other times of the day.

If it is possible to dry your clothes inside the house rather that out in the sun, it will be better since you will be keeping allergens from attaching to or getting deposited on the clothes.

If you are in an area that has high concentration of pollen, ensure that you keep the windows well closed to keep it away. Instead of opening the windows, you can install an air conditioner or have the entire house air conditioned once per month to filter dust and pollens among other allergens.

House items such as carpets should be cleaned regularly to get rid of allergens.