Summer is in full swing and people are now spending most of their free time outside. For those with hay fever, that unfortunately comes with the dreaded sneezes and eye-watering as the pollen count intensifies. Like most other allergies, hay fever occurs when the body overreacts to an allergen – in this case, pollen. When your nose and/or eyes come into contact with environmental allergens such as pollen, your body produces histamine, which triggers an allergic reaction.
We’re here to delve into the symptoms and explore some natural remedies for hay fever. We also have some tea suggestions that we think could save the day and act as home remedies for hay fever. Read on for key ingredients to look out for and where you can find them in our blends.
The symptoms of hay fever
Symptoms generally include sinus congestion, red or watering eyes, an itchy or inflamed nose and sometimes headaches. They can be harsh and make living your normal day-to-day life difficult. For this reason, we often heavily rely on pharmacy antihistamines or stronger, prescribed medication to deal with the symptoms of hay fever. Whilst they can successfully help to alleviate or reduce symptoms, they can become pricey and also have side effects such as drowsiness, blurred vision and nausea.
Many are turning to natural and home remedies for hay fever, by making diet and lifestyle changes to reduce symptoms. Some of these herbs and spices can be found in our tea blends, making it much easier to consciously consume what you need.
Natural ingredients for hay fever relief
Peppermint
Native to Europe and Asia, peppermint has been used for thousands of years for its pleasant flavour and list of health benefits. Not only does it taste great, but peppermint has been proven to relieve nasal and sinus congestion. This decongestant has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, providing relief from allergies including hay fever. Its properties mean peppermint can also help with coughs, colds, asthma and bronchitis. That’s a definite one to add to your list of home remedies for hay fever if you ask us!
Keep sipping our delicious and organic Perfect Peppermint blend and breathe easier this summer. Also find peppermint in our Mint Green Tea.
Fun tip: Research suggests Menthol (one of the active compounds in peppermint) improves the airflow in your nasal passages. Therefore, the steam from your peppermint tea alone could actually help with your hay fever symptoms and make it feel as though you’re breathing easier.
Ginger
Known as one of the best home remedies for hay fever, ginger is a powerful anti-inflammatory and antihistamine ingredient. It’ll help to reduce nasal swelling and also has great immune-boosting properties too! You’ll benefit from drinking this all-year-long, but enjoy the outcome if pollen is a worry for you this summer. The flavoursome root has been grown in India and China for over 5000 years to treat ailments. Though it has been used to flavour food since before records began!
Find ginger in our Chai Black Tea, Cinnamon, Moringa & Ginger, or go for the Turmeric, Ginger & Lemongrass for extra flavour and health benefits.
Chamomile
Another super ingredient that works as an antioxidant and antihistamine. This is definitely one for anyone searching for home remedies for hay fever. Chamomile tea contains flavonoids which act as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Chamomile inhalation can also be great for those suffering when there’s a high pollen count. You could utilise your tea by steeping a few bags in a bowl of boiling water and covering with a towel. Once ‘brewed’, place your head under the towel and take deep breaths for a few minutes. This will allow the steam to reach your lungs and help with decongestion, providing relief from some hay fever symptoms.
The best thing about Chamomile is that it’s also known to aid sleep and digestion, as well.
Green Tea
When searching for home remedies for hay fever, Green Tea may not be the first recommendation, but it actually has some great benefits! The antioxidant is rich in quercetin, which is a plant compound that promotes anti-inflammatory protection against allergens. This very ingredient helps to block the immune reactions caused by pollen and other allergens – making it great for fighting hay fever. Aside from this, green tea is known to boost your immune system, and most importantly act as a natural antihistamine! We recommend going for our Pure Green Tea to reap in the benefits.
Note: Some studies show that caffeine can intensify hay fever symptoms. So try enjoying a caffeine-free tea, or keep your intake low, to see if that makes a difference over time.
We hope you’ve discovered some natural home remedies for hay fever that you like the sound of.
Whichever blend you opt for, we’re sure you can find the perfect tea for you. By incorporating some of these ingredients into your routine, you may well be able to escape the pollen! If not, you’ll still get to enjoy a tasty cup of tea.
Please note, this blog is not to be replaced for medical advice from a healthcare professional and is for general interest only. We recommend you consult your GP for advice if concerned about your symptoms.