If visiting a doctor sounds unappealing, these 10 natural remedies could put the effects of hay fever to bed.
You are familiar with the signs: sneezing, watery eyes and itchy throats. Hay fever usually happens when there is a reaction to plant pollen and fungi spores.
In temperate countries, hay fever usually occurs in spring, but in tropical climates like Singapore, hay fever can strike at any time of the year.
Here are 10 natural remedies that work:
1) Honey
We all know that honey is great for soothing sore throats but it has other benefits too. In fact, honey has anti-inflammatory effects. This is because bee pollen found honey is great for desensitising your body from other pollen
2) Vitamin C
The very humble vitamin C is well-known as a natural antihistamine. So if you feel symptoms of hay fever (or any skin or nose allergies) you can get a boost from oranges, grapefruits and kiwis. Also present in these fruits are bioflavonoids, which have powerful anti-allergy effects. The combination of vitamin C and bioflavonoids provides a natural decongestant and antihistamine for sufferers, alleviating symptoms effectively.
3) Bell pepper or chilli
Red bell peppers and chilli contain a component called capsaicin. When eaten, this component opens nasal passages and helps reduce congestion, alleviating hay fever symptoms significantly.
4) Carotenoids
This naturally occurring pigment in plants is a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce inflammation in the body’s airways. It is also known to improve the immune system. Sources for carotenoids include carrots, apricots, pumpkin, sweet potato and spinach.
5) Chamomile tea
This popular beverage is rich in antioxidants and antihistamine. It also contains flavonoids and acts effectively as an anti-inflammatory agent. While you can drink chamomile to alleviate symptoms of hay fever, you can also use it externally on the eye area. Simply soak the tea bag in lukewarm water and place it over your eyes. This provides a cooling effect for swollen, red eyes.
6) Garlic
Increasing your garlic intake can boost your immunity. Eating garlic can also act as a decongestant and help to relieve minor hay fever symptoms. In addition, garlic has anti-inflammatory effects and is an excellent source of quercetin, a natural antihistamine.
7) Acupuncture
Research has shown that acupuncture can reduce hay fever symptoms that include runny nose and itchy eyes. Using sterilised needles, acupuncture pinpoints specific areas of the body to help relieve symptoms caused by ailments.
8) Self-hypnosis
A recent study claims that hay fever sufferers who turned to self-hypnosis saw a dramatic reduction in symptoms. The study, conducted over a period of two years, saw volunteers undergoing training with an experienced professional. Results showed that symptoms such as runny noses and itchy throats were significantly reduced after mastering self-hypnosis techniques.
9) Vaseline
Spreading a thin layer of petroleum jelly inside the lower nostrils can help to sooth symptoms of hay fever. This is because vaseline traps pollen in the nostrils, effectively blocking it from reaching a user’s nasal passages.
10) Onion
Onion skin contains healthy amounts of quercetin, a natural antihistamine. It has anti-inflammatory properties that can quell symptoms of hay fever. Onion skin contains three times the amount of quercetin in kale, and 10 times the amount of that in broccoli. To consume, simply leave onion skins on when cooking or making salads. Otherwise, chewing on raw onion works just as well.
While it is easy to treat hay fever with over-the-counter medication like antihistamines and nasal sprays, trying natural remedies could pay off.
