Natural Hayfever Remedies

Natural Hayfever Remedies

Suffering from Hayfever?

For some people, spring signals a change in seasons heading towards sunshine and the blooming of flowers. For others, however, spring is dictated by runny eyes, coughing fits and fatigue. As the pollen count rises, many people their hayfever symptoms rise accordingly. Many of the worst symptoms of hay fever are caused by histamine levels rocketing as your body reacts to pollen.

It can be really helpful to monitor pollen counts so you can plan accordingly.  Conveniently, the Met Office provide this information on their website or there are even handy apps you can install on your phone to inform you of pollen levels in your area, at a glance! When dealing with hayfever symptoms, planning is important. Ideally, you want to be taking preventative actions before you're showing symptoms. Take a scroll through the rest of this post where we've outlined some of the most useful advice we've found. 

Natural Remedies

VITAMIN C

Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, so take small doses regularly throughout the day. You can also increase your intake of fresh fruit, peppers, tomatoes and green, leafy vegetables which are all rich sources of vitamin C. Nettles are surprisingly effective at reducing histamine-initiated symptoms  - drink nettle tea or take a fresh herbal tincture. Consider adding grating ginger to your chosen nettle remedy. Ginger can be used as an antihistamine and decongestant, helping to widen constricted bronchial tubes. Another added benefit of ginger is in easing scratchy throats. If this is a hayfever symptom you experience, try adding some local honey to ginger tea to help ease and soothe your throat.

Go A-list with your food - Vitamin A helps keep mucous membranes healthy and more able to battle hayfever symptoms. Carrots, tomatoes, dried apricots, sweet potatoes, mangoes, spinach and watercress are full of beta-carotene, from which your body makes vitamin A.

CALM DOWN WITH THE CAFFEINE 

Unfortunately, for the caffeine lovers amongst us, caffeine has been shown to trigger the release of histamine. Histamine is the protein that triggers the symptoms experienced by hayfever sufferers - making it helpful to avoid those foods & drinks known to release histamine from your body's cells. So try to minimise your caffeine intake, especially when pollen counts are high. We have some excellent caffeine-free coffee substitutes that are so good you won't even miss your caffeine fix!

Keep a close eye on your dairy intake because dairy causes mucus formation that exacerbates hayfever symptoms (N.B make sure to increase calcium from other food sources to reduce the risk of calcium deficiency in addition to protecting bone health). It is also advisable to limit refined sugar as it can trigger spikes in blood sugar levels, which cause an adrenaline surge that activates histamine. Hayfever sufferers are very likely to be sensitive to refined sugar.

WATER

Drinking water regularly, throughout the day, helps to rinse any allergens that may be lurking worsening your symptoms. Ensuring your vocal chords are well-lubricated, further helps soothe an itchy sore throat and can help lessen hayfever-associated coughing. If plain water isn't really your thing, you can try adding different fruits or herbs to jazz it up to your personal taste. Water really does not have to be boring! Try experimenting and see what you like. Popular additions include lemon, cucumber, apple slices or mint sprigs.

LUFFA

Luffa is a useful herb to take if symptoms manifest around the eyes and nose. Swift in the effect, it appears to deal with both blocked and runny noses, as well as watery and itchy eyes and a tickly throat. As it is taken internally, it is a good option for those who wear contact lenses and cant use eye drops. It isn't contraindicated with other medication, including other hayfever medication.

QUERCETIN

Quercetin is a powerful flavonoid found naturally in foods such as onions, apples, red grapes & cherries. Widely regarded as one of the best natural antihistamines available, research suggests that quercetin exerts both anti-allergic and antihistamine properties. Additionally, it is thought quercetin can actually inhibit both the production and release of histamine and other allergic substances by stabilising cell membranes. 

Finally, a few practical tips:

Avoid, or reduce high histamine foods. These include cheese, red wine, chocolate (sorry!), canned fish and fruits such as strawberries and citrus fruits. These foods can further trigger symptoms. Try to be mindful of what you are eating so you can make links between certain foods and any symptoms experienced.

Seriously consider reducing dairy, or avoiding it altogether over the hayfever season. Dairy foods can increase mucous production, causing nasal congestion and sinus troubles. Switching to plant-based alternatives can make a huge difference to hayfever symptoms

During times in the season when the pollen count is high, dry your clothes indoors as damp clothes will collect pollen. If you have been out for the day, get undressed in the bathroom rather than the bedroom. There may be pollen on your clothes and you don't want it floating around the bedroom causing sneezing fits at bedtime.

This article is meant for information purposes and does not substitute medical advice. It is advisable to check with your G.P before taking supplements - particularly if you are already taking medication or have a pre-existing condition.