Beat Hay Fever Naturally

Did you know that 1 in 5 people in Melbourne suffer from hay fever? Here are a few tried and tested natural therapies that might assist you in saying goodbye to sneezes for good. 

Apple Cider Vinegar: Natural antihistamines in apple cider vinegar may help lessen your hay fever symptoms. We suggest a shot of it mixed with local honey in a glass of warm water.

Local Honey: The theory behind eating local honey daily is that you are ingesting a small amount of the allergen which may eventually switch off your allergic reaction. Some people swear by it but it understandably wouldn’t work if you are allergic to something other than flowers.

Nasal Irrigation: Nasal irrigation involves putting your head over a sink and pouring warm, salty water in one nostril so that it will come out the other. It is great for clearing the sinuses. You can use a neti pot or a squeeze bottle to insert the water, just ensure that the equipment you are using is clean and that the water is filtered or cool boiled water.

Food remedies: Boost your body’s natural antihistamines with Vitamin C and bioflavonoids such as quercetin ­– rich in fruit and vegetables such as apples, onions, kiwi fruit, capsicum, berries and citrus fruit. These are all great to have in your daily diet as well as lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, and with concurrent use of other natural remedies, they may be just the thing to settle your sneezes.

Avoid certain plant species: It is not always easy but try to avoid going outside on windy days or after the grass has been mowed. If possible, try to avoid planting hay fever triggering plants in your garden or walking past them when you are out for a walk. These are some of the worst offending plants: mango trees, plane trees, bottlebrush, Australian pine, jasmine, wattle and pine trees. 

Do you suffer from hay fever? Have you tried any natural remedies that worked for you? Let us know in the comments.

References available on request.