Herbal Remedies for Spring Allergies

Spring means different things to all of us, but for more millions of Americans, it means watery eyes, scratchy throats and runny noses. If you suffer from seasonal allergies every spring, fear not! Mother Nature offers a number of herbal remedies to help ease our sniffles and sneezes.

Chamomile’s anti-inflammatory properties offer relief to dry, itchy eyes. Try placing refrigerated, wet chamomile tea bags over your eyes for 3 to 5 minutes.

Stinging nettle acts as an antihistamine in the body; it targets the immune system’s response to an allergen, helping to reduce allergy symptoms such as itchy eyes and sneezing. Try taking 300 to 500 mg of stinging nettle capsules daily, or look for tea made from fresh freeze-dried leaves.

Peppermint: The combination of peppermint’s menthol oils and tannins makes it a powerful decongestant. Improve breathing by steeping fresh or dried peppermint leaves in boiling water to create a sinus-clearing tea, or try this Breathe-Easy Inhalation remedy.

Thyme: An antimicrobial and expectorant herb, thyme is useful at treating coughs, clearing congestion and soothing sore throats. Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh thyme to create a tea, or try commercially prepared thyme tea bags.

Honey’s healing and expectorant qualities make it a great natural treatment for easing coughs and soothing sore throats. A spoonful in a cup of tea ought to the do the trick, or combine the powers of honey and thyme (or other expectorant herbs) in this recipe for Soothing Herbal Honey.

Ginger: A natural pain killer, ginger can help soothe the irritation of a sore throat. It’s especially powerful when combined with honey. Simmer 1 teaspoon of fresh, grated ginger or 1 to 2 teaspoons of the dried, powdered form in a cup of water for five to 10 minutes to create a ginger tea. Add honey.

Cayenne peppers are rich in quercetin, a bioflavonoid that prevents the release of histamines and other inflammatory chemicals that can cause allergy symptoms. Cayenne pepper also helps ease pain from a sore throat. Try this Fiery Gargle remedy to for sore throat relief.

For more herbal remedies for allergies, check out the article “Sniffle-Free Spring” from Natural Home & Garden magazine.

Image: Johanna Mühlbauer / Fotolia

Read more: Allergies, Conditions, Health, Natural Remedies

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Elisa F.

7:22AM PDT on Apr 30, 2013

Thanks for sharing!

April 30
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sid S.

12:32AM PDT on Mar 19, 2013

Indeed I have a very good formula. Even after taking the above u find that u still suffer from allergy and cannot pin point it. This is a simple way of dealing with it. it may take some time I assure u but in the end God willing you will have cured yourself of the Allergy. Chose a location where your allergy commences. like sneezing or scratching etc..MARK THIS PLACE. Take a bottle full of drinking water and go to the PLACE 1/2 or 3/4 empty your drinking water there. Cap the bottle. Take it home or hotel or where ever u r say camp. Now SHAKE the bottle thoroughly. with Up and Down strokes with sudden stops at the end of each STROKE. say 20 or more such strokes.THIS IS YOUR MEDICINE.Now take 1 teaspoon full 3 times daily 1 hour gap before and after the DOSE. NOTE: shake the bottle WELL ie. give 10 strokes if possible.. before each dose. Take this for 3 to 4 days a week. Keep Looking at the bottle before each dose. If the water becomes hazy or developes some sort of dust etc inside. JUST THROW IT AWAY.. and make your medicine once again. continue like this for 3 months God willing your ALLERGY will be gone. iF it ever returns U know WHAT TO DO..--- Happy and Healthy Living....

March 19
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Interstellar D.

8:11AM PST on Feb 28, 2013

thanks.

February 28
send a green star

Arthur S.

11:01PM PST on Feb 22, 2013

Thanks

February 22
send a green star

China H.

10:57PM PST on Feb 22, 2013

Thank You!

Penny A.

4:38PM PST on Feb 22, 2013

Thank you.

Tara P.

11:29AM PST on Jan 24, 2013

I have the real bad allergies at times and allergy relief I use to dream for. I was glad I had access to a doctor when I needed it. Last spring I was on vacation, out in the middle of nowhere camping. My allergies were really bad. Eyes watery, sneezing and itchy throat. My vacation was over, I was miserable. But I was glad I could talk to a doctor right over they phone. MD247 called me in a prescription to a local pharmacy with in no time I was feeling great and could continue enjoying myself.