Spring and summer are starting to beckon, the blossom trees are flowering and the scent of freshly cut grass has begun to waft gently in the air.  If you are one of the approximately 60 million hay fever sufferers in the UK, this image is likely to fill you with dread and bring to mind the sight of used tissues, sniffling noses and watery, stinging eyes!  Never fear, help is at hand as Mother Nature has provided us with an arsenal of Herbal Remedies that may soothe your hay fever symptoms:

Peppermint

Inhaling peppermint oils can help you to breathe easier and soothe inflamed mucous membranes.

Liquorice

With both anti-inflammatory and anti-allergy properties this herb has a similar action to cortisone drugs.  For hay fever you want the whole liquorice and should not take it for longer than 6 weeks at a time.

Feverfew

Feverfew is perhaps best known for alleviating migraine however with its anti-inflammatory properties it may also be a good herbal remedy for tackling allergy symptoms.

Garlic

Garlic contains the anti-inflammatory substance called quercetin.   Quercetin helps in the hay fever season by calming the body’s allergic response to pollens and other allergens.  Garlic is also a potent antibacterial and antiviral agent, so can help to alleviate sinusitis.

Ephedra

This herb, also known as ma huang, acts as a decongestant and is available in teas, capsules, tablets and liquid extracts.

Stinging Nettle

A study has found that nettle may offer relief to people with hay fever.  58% rated the herb effective and 48% said it worked as well as or better than their conventional treatments.

So if you are looking for natural relief of symptoms and want to avoid antihistamines, conventional decongestants or other over-the-counter and prescribed drugs try some of herbal alternatives that are available.