It’s that time of year: The leaves change, it gets a little cooler and seasonal allergies take off.
I’ve never had seasonal allergies before, but this year has been far different. I’ve had all of the usual symptoms and have just toughed it out for the past month or so.
I don’t want to buy over-the-counter allergy medicine that can be expensive and unreliable, especially considering I’m just getting used to dealing with allergies in the first place. I want simple, safe solutions.
Here’s a list of the best ways to use herbs to curb your seasonal allergies. Fill me and other readers in on your favorite natural solutions, too!
- Mix ½ teaspoon of camphor, eucalyptus, lemon grass or tea tree essential oil (or a combination) in a large kettle of gently boiling water with your head covered in a towel to clear your sinuses. Breathe the vapors for 5 minutes every hour.
- Take daily capsules of stinging nettle for fewer and milder hay fever symptoms.
- Eat onions, garlic and cayenne pepper – they’re rich in quercetin, which is a common bioflavonoid that helps control discomfort caused by allergies.
- Drink sage, yarrow, rosemary, lemongrass or ginger tea.
- Add honey, wild cherry syrup, licorice, marshmallow root and/or slippery elm to tea.
– Jessica is an editorial intern for The Herb Companion.
