Spring is hard for hayfever suffers. But, there’s plenty you can do to combat it.

Here are ten things you can do to fight off hayfever.

1. Drink fenugreek seed tea

Two to three cups daily helps prevent irritation and congestion of the nasal passages and sinuses. These are symptoms usually associated with hay fever. For chronic hay fever sufferers, fenugreek tea can also help prevent infection of the upper respiratory tract.

2. Eat more ginger and garlic

Ginger is a natural anti-inflammatory, helpful for reducing hay fever symptoms. Garlic contains antibiotic properties and can help prevent sinus congestion.

3. Eat local honey and beeswax or fresh honeycomb

Try to obtain this from a local beekeeper and take some on a daily basis, either all year round or in the months prior to the onset of hay fever season. Take a piece of honeycomb, about the size of a 20-cent piece, once or twice daily. This can decrease sensitivity to pollens through stimulation of the blocking antibodies.

4. Add fish oils (omega-3 fatty acids) to your diet

Another health benefit of fish oils is their ability to reduce inflammation by blocking the inflammatory pathway which causes the symptoms associated with hay fever.

5. Modify your diet

Seasonal hay fever is usually triggered by air-borne pollens. Ragweed pollen is a common contributor. Melons, zucchinis and cucumbers share a common allergen with ragweed. Eliminating these foods from the diet can reduce ragweed sensitivity and severity of hay fever. Grass pollens are another common contributor and reduction or elimination of wheat products, tomatoes and carrots can reduce the severity of grass pollen-related hay fever.

6. Avoid chlorinated swimming pools

Chlorine by-products have been found to aggravate hay fever. However, swimming in salt water works wonders for the sinuses.

7. Try nasal irrigation

The use of warm, salty water to rinse the sinuses through nasal inhalation has been shown to effectively reduce hay fever symptoms. This can be achieved through the use of a neti pot (like a small teapot) to pour the warm saline solution into each nostril twice daily, or through commercial nasal saline sprays.

8. Use homeopathic remedies

Although best determined by a qualified practitioner, commonly prescribed homeopathic remedies for hay fever include euphrasia (eyebright), alium cepa (red onion) and kali bich (potassium bichromate). These can relieve chronic and seasonal hay fever.

9. Take nettle extract

Freeze-dried nettle capsules or fresh nettle juice (one tablespoon combined with grape or other juice) daily can provide a natural antihistamine effect for hay fever.

10. Maintain a dust-free environment

Dust mites contribute to hay fever, so keeping the house and work environment dust free is important. Chronic sufferers should consider removing carpets, feather quilts and pillows. Air filters will also assist.

This article provides general information and is not intended to constitute advice. All care is taken to ensure information is accurate and relevant. Please see your Practitioner for health treatments and advice.