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Natural Cures for Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis)

| Modified on Feb 25, 2024
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Also known as allergic rhinitis, hay fever is a condition that causes cold-like symptoms, but it is not caused by a virus. Hay fever is actually triggered by an allergic response to indoor and outdoor allergens. Some of the common causes of hay fever include tree, grass, and ragweed pollen; spores from fungi and mold; and dander from cats, dogs, birds, or other pets. Just because it is called “hay fever” does not necessarily mean that "hay" is the problem. Natural remedies like apple cider vinegar, herbs and vitamin C are among the many potent home cures for allergies.

While many people believe that the only way to find relief from allergic rhinitis is to avoid the substances that cause irritation or take prescription or over the counter medications, natural remedies work quite well to treat hay fever safely and effectively. Often hay fever remedies are inexpensive and many can be found in the kitchen.

Natural Remedies for Hay Fever

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is a simple natural cure for allergies. Apple cider vinegar contains minerals and enzymes. It also helps to balance the pH of the body, which allows it to work optimally.

Apple cider vinegar, preferable raw and organic, can be added to a tall glass of water a couple of times a day.  Start with just 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar. Some people use as much as a tablespoon per glass of water. Apple cider vinegar capsules are on option for those who do not like the taste of apple cider vinegar.

Don't miss Earth Clinic's video about apple cider vinegar for allergies!

Neti Pot

A neti pot can be purchased at health food stores and larger pharmacies. Using a sea salt solution in the neti pot will rinse out allergens in the nasal cavity and be soothing to the sinuses. A popular remedy at Earth Clinic is to add 1/2 teaspoon 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1 teaspoon sea salt, and 6 ounces of boiled cooled water to a neti pot and rinse the sinuses once or twice a day.

Hydrogen Peroxide Inhalation Method

Popularized by the late Bill Munroe, this method is simple and inexpensive. 3% hydrogen peroxide is inhaled into the lungs through the mouth, using a simple nasal mister. This has helped many people with asthma, allergies, chronic coughing and a host of other ailments.

Water and Sea Salt

A cheap and easy hay fever remedy is to mix a pinch of good quality sea salt into a glass of water and drink it. To figure out the ideal amount of water for yourself, take your weight in pounds and divide this number in half. Drink that number of ounces of water each day. This helps to keep the body well hydrated. The salt helps the water to get into the cells. Sea salt also contains trace minerals. Plenty of water helps the body to flush out toxins. Chronic low grade dehydration is a common problem causing a host of health problems, including allergies.

Oil Pulling

To practice oil pulling, one to three teaspoons of quality oil are swished around in the mouth to draw out toxins and infections. Practiced daily, oil pulling can relieve a variety of health concerns including hay fever. Coconut Oil is the most commonly used oil for oil pulling. For more information on oil pulling, please see our oil pulling pages.

Filtering

A process as simple as filtering the air in your home can also help relieve allergic rhinitis. This practice functions to remove allergens from the air and prevent them from entering your body.

What are the Best Herbs for Hay Fever?

Turmeric

Turmeric is an inexpensive and effective anti-inflammatory and it is also a blood purifier.  Some find relief from allergy symptoms with as little as 2 capsules of turmeric a day. Others find it takes a teaspoon (or 4-5 capsules) a couple of times a day to treat allergies. Turmeric can be mixed in a cup of milk (cow, soy, almond or coconut) and consumed warm or cold. Turmeric should always be taken with plenty of water as larger amounts of turmeric can be constipating for some. Golden milk is a delicious way to take turmeric.

Nettle Leaf

Nettle Leaf, like turmeric, is a blood purifier. In times past, fresh nettle leaves were collected in the spring, cooked, and eaten as a "spring tonic." Nettle is a great herb to use for spring allergies. Nettle can be taken as a tea, tincture or in capsules. (3-4 cups of nettle tea, daily, or 1/2 teaspoon of nettle tincture three times day, or 2-4 capsules of nettle leaf taken 2-3 times a day.)

Garlic

Garlic is also a natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agent. It contains sulfur compounds that help relieve congestion and treat underlying infections. Garlic can easily be added to food or garlic supplements can be taken.

Mullein Leaf

Mullein Leaf is a gentle but powerful herb. It is a popular remedy for hay fever, especially when it is accompanied by a cough. Mullein is easily taken as a tea. It can also be taken in capsule or tincture form.

Herbal Teas for Allergies

Chamomile Tea

Chamomile tea is a mild tasting and pleasant tea that is useful for allergies. (But it should be avoided by those with a ragweed allergy.) If your eyes are bothered by allergy symptoms, place a warm and damp chamomile tea bag over each eye for ten minutes.

Ginger Tea

Ginger naturally relieves the chest and nasal congestion associated with hay fever. It also helps loosen phlegm, strengthens the immune system, and functions as a natural antihistamine.

Yerba Mate

Yerba mate tea contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Because yerba mate contains caffeine, it should be avoided late in the day and by those sensitive to caffeine.

Supplements for Hay Fever

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is great for the immune system. It is also a natural antihistamine. Sodium ascorbate is easiest on the digestive system. Some people take 1,000 mg of vitamin C as often as 3 times a day or more. If it should cause loose stools, cut back a little.

Quercetin with Bromelain 

Quercetin is a plant flavonoid. It is a natural antihistamine and an anti-inflammatory. It is common to find quercetin supplements with bromelain added. Bromelain is an enzyme found in pineapple that is also an anti-inflammatory. One or two capsules of quercetin daily can bring relief to hay fever symptoms.

Dietary Changes for Hay Fever

Adding a probiotic food to the daily diet may reduce hay fever symptoms.  Milk kefir, water kefir, Kombucha or sauerkraut would be good natural sources of probiotics.

Reducing sugar and processed foods is helpful for many health problems as these foods tend to depress the immune system and make the body more acidic.

If you are struggling with a lot of mucous production, reducing dairy should help. Ice cream especially can increase sinusitis symptoms, perhaps as much if not more because of the additives it usually contains.

Do you have a favorite natural remedy for hay fever? Please be sure to send us some feedback! And keep reading to see what natural remedies our readers have used to treat their hay fever.

The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
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Apple Cider Vinegar

14 User Reviews
5 star (11) 
  79%
1 star (3) 
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Posted by Deneen (Kansas City, Usa) on 07/08/2020 2 posts
 ★★★★★

Back of throat, eyes and nose itch from allergies:

A little Apple Cider Vinegar in a glass of water always helps me with respiratory allergies. You know the feeling of the back of your throat itching? Sneezing? Stuffy nose? and watery itchy eyes? Add a capfull of ACV into a cup of water. In about 10 minutes the harshness of the allergy symptoms will lessen dramatically.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Patrice (Modesto, Ca) on 12/16/2015
 ★☆☆☆☆

Not sure just symptoms of hay fever .. But my husband is driving me crazy.. We can't hardly sleep together and or be in the same room even during the day he has this hacking and clearing of his throat! ., thought it was because of wheat or cheese and tried taking him off it and it still goes on! .. Not just at night but morning too and sometimes during the afternoon?.. Help! .. Given him vinegar and honey and baking soda .. Doesn't seem to do much! .. Homeopathic hay fever tablets don't help either.

Replied by Mmsg
(Somewhere, Europe)
12/16/2015

Patrice, you can try:

1. Plain ol' tea/lemon/honey.

2. Bill Monroe's inhalation of h202.

3. Breathing a cut onion.

Replied by Mama To Many
(Tennessee)
12/16/2015

Dear Patrice,

Mmsg has great suggestions!

We also found nettle leaf and quercetin to be very helpful for my son with hay fever symptoms.

An adult dose would be 4 nettle leaf capsules 3 times a day. At the same time take 1 one capsules of quercetin. My son did this for a year (he took less as he was a child) and it actually seemed to heal his hay fever and improve his constitution. Many days he only needed the dose twice and would take the third dose mid-day if he had symptoms.

~Mama to Many~

Replied by Myway
(Usa)
12/16/2015

Black seed oil (nigella sativa) 1 tsp 2x a day - will resolve the mucous, throat clearing issue - it did for me with my allergies. It tastes icky, but I chase it with juice or water. Get it at the vitamin shop. Great, safe stuff. If used, 2 days of nose blowing will precede the relief.

Myway, :D

Replied by Kennywally
(Midwest)
03/12/2016
46 posts

Patrice, I can't speak to the wheat, but the cheese is a slow process, and you have to quit all the dairy, the ice cream, cheese, milk, cottage cheese etc. 15yrs back, I cut all the dairy, and it took 90 days to show a retreat in my symptoms. The body reaches a saturation point and BAM you're done for til you figure it out and cut out the dairy. Today, I consume dairy, but at a reduced rate and do not over do it, and my allergic symptoms are only in the spring. Just wanted to make it clear, a halfhearted or insufficient cut back in dairy will not produce good results.

Replied by Diggitty
(Phoenix, Az)
03/18/2016

Try just increasing water to half the body weight and adding 1/8 tsp of sea salt per 24 oz water. ACV didn't work for me either, neither did just increasing water. However adding the salt to the water did the trick. Dehydration causes histamines to be released. Salt helps water get into cells and hydrate the body. Otherwise the water ends up in the toilet. God IS that awesome!

Replied by Aaron
(Los Angeles)
09/17/2016

He most likely has food allergies culminating to EOE esophagitis - try elimination diet.

To Soothe the throat, two things: Coconut Oil 2 Table spoons 3x a day. Also Nin Jiom syrup helps heal the issue however food allergies need to be addressed.

Also MOLD, make sure your house doesn't have any or none of this will make any difference.

Replied by Nicole
(Dallas, TX)
02/25/2024

Check him out for GERD or LPR (silent reflux). They can cause post nasal drip and cough. Pepsin, a gas, travels up to sinuses. Body produces mucus to protect membranes. Try antacids and a doc visit.

EKLMN
(Portland)
02/25/2024

Get an LDN prescription. Low dosage naltrexone. https://ldnresearchtrust.org/conditions

8 Top Homeopathic Medicines For Cough With Throat Dryness

1. Belladonna – Top Medicine

2. Drosera – With A Tickling Sensation In The Throat

3. Bryonia – When Cough Worsens After Eating Or Drinking

4. Conium – From A Dry Spot In Larynx (Voice Box)

5. Spongia – For Absolutely Dry Cough

6. Pulsatilla – With Itchy, Scratchy Feeling In Throat

7. Sticta – For Cough In Evening And Night

8. Squilla – With Burning Sensation In Throat

https://www.drhomeo.com/?s=hay+fever+cough

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Frabika (California) on 11/14/2013
 ★★★★★

I took ACV for several months, every day. I hated it. One teaspoon in water, followed by a full glass of water to drown out the taste. And it did nothing at all for my hayfever. I was miserable, my eyes were watering constantly, nose dripping out of nowhere, completely embarrassing.

So then I thought, if everyone else is raving about it, why isn't this working for me? I upped the dose: yesterday after a particulary awful hayfeverish day, I took three tablespoons of it in water three times. Today, I took it at 6:30 am then again at 9am at the same dosage. And guess what...no symptoms at all. Crazy. I will take another strong dose when I get home and perhaps tomorrow reduce it a bit.

If the ACV isn't working for you, increase it!!

Replied by Vickthechick
(San Francisco, California)
04/05/2014
★★★★★

I, too, have many times found that if I just INCREASE THE DOSE a reported natural cure works FINE. Heck with dilution I started taking a standard shot glass and putting a tablespoon or so organic and unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (cheaper brands don't work as well I've found). Than I just take it DOWN in one shot. Don't even chase it with water but of course you can. 2x per day. HAYFEVER PROBLEM SOLVED WITHOUT DRUGS thank you very much! Nice to know ACV has a lot of OTHER good "side effects" too!

Replied by Dardenel
(Us)
10/29/2018
50 posts

I agree, but I always use a straw to drink my ACV because I hear it can be very hard on your tooth enamel. With a straw, I bypass it getting on my teeth. If my throat is irritated from allergies, etc., if my ACV is too strong though, it can make me choke so I dilute mine quite a bit. At least 8 oz of water per 1 tbsp ACV. I always use the best ACV I can get with "mother" on the bottle. I only buy it if it's in a glass container also.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jennywren (Perth, Western Australia, Australia) on 02/12/2012
 ★☆☆☆☆

NAY - I wish I could make this a Yay, but ACV ingested doesn't seem to help me much with anything. I use _____'s, a tablespoon twice a day and still have hayfever. I've been taking it for 2 weeks. I find ACV mildly helpful with colds/sore throats and have found it works topically best for me. It hasn't helped my rheumatoid arthritis at all either, or with my 5yo's asthma. Darn it!

Replied by Jacquelynna
(Cincinnati, Oh)
04/20/2012

I had a similar experience with apple cider vinegar as some people on here are saying. I took it for a long time but never with any noticeable benefits. However, 3 months ago I became a vegetarian, and since then I am doing great! Mild detoxing effect, weight loss, tons of energy and great mood... I recommend it to everyone. My only explanation as to why it didn't work before is because I was so acidic while still eating meat. Now my body is more alkaline and thus able to really see a difference.... pretty awesome.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cheryldelf (Melbourne, Victoria, Australia) on 09/03/2011
 ★★★★★

Editor's Choice

I had 40 years of suffering hay fever, taking all known drugs on the market without much sucesss. My eye lids would fill with fluid and I appeared drugged from September to March. My sister told me to try Apple Cider Vinegar as a shot or mixed in water twice a day. I did this for the whole season. After a few days my nose and sinus dried up. I had to use honey to stop the throat itch. I no longer suffer with hay fever and the best part I have not had any asthma either. This was 3 years ago. When I get a little tingle I drink ACV for a week and it's all gone.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Theo (Ottawa, Ontario, Canada) on 11/20/2009
 ★☆☆☆☆

Apple Cider Vinegar for Hay Fever:

This didn't work for me. All of last year I took ACV every night in hopes that I would beat my hay fever in the summer. Unfortunately, when summer came this year, my hay fever was just as bad as ever.

Replied by Mary
(Chicago, Il)
08/02/2010

Did you try organic ACV? I find that the organic type that has not been filtered works really well. You can find it at a health food store, but often regular grocery stores will carry it as well.

Replied by Charlize
(Ontario)
06/03/2015
★★★★★

Yes, I agree. It's the organic ACV with the mother which is usually cloudy in appearance, contains more nutrients. I have been taking two tablespoons diluted in a glass of water three times a day with cayenne pepper (couple of pinches), followed by a couple of spoons of honey (even better if it is local) three times a day. I prefer to take the honey raw rather than trying to dilute it, as it leaves a coating in the back of your throat, and you lose the nutrition value when it is heated. So far it is working after 20 years of suffering. But there is still time yet before the season ends.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cameron (Riverside, CT) on 05/31/2009
 ★★★★★

I've been suffering from allergies for 12 years now. I finally went to a doctor this year to have the doctor take a look (I actually looked went to two docs). The tests they took showed I was allergic to almost every airborne allergen (95% of most airborne allergens, yikes!) I was seriously a running faucet and sneeze machine. I'd wake up sneezing, burn through toilet paper for wiping my nose. Basically, i was disgusting and I was completely bogged down for hay fever season. I started taking 3 shots of ACV a day. The first 10 days nothing and then all the sudden, on the 11th it was like a light switch. Everything stopped. I continued taking 3 shots a day for about a month and a half and am now down to 1 shot a day, which I am taking basically as a "just in case" shot. My allergies are completely eliminated. Not even a sniffle. I'm not sure how it works, but it 100% worked for me. Like a veil being lifted, a light turning on; it was a complete life change to be able to enjoy the seasons again :)

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Cassey Ming (Singapore) on 11/22/2008
 ★★★★★

I used to suffer from hayfever when I was studying in Perth, Western Australia 10yrs ago. At that time, I took Horseraddish supplement for 1 season and it helps stops hayfever. I moved to Singapore recently due to work and woke up with runny nose and unstoppable sneezing for at least 1 hr every day for the past 2 mths. Taking horseraddish supplement doesn't help anymore, maybe my body is immune to horseraddish supplemnt! I was researching the internet for Hay fever remedy and read that raw honey helps. While researching further for raw honey benefits, I stumbled into this site and read that ACV helps with hayfever and decided to give it a try. I found that any brand of ACV is equally effective. I put 1 teaspoon ACV, 2 teaspoons honey and 1 glass of water. Drink it 3 times a day for a week, it cures my hayfever!! No more sinus, sneezing or runny nose within a week! I continued to drink the mixture after my hayfever's symptom is gone thinking to use it my daily drink for health, but I found that drinking ACV when I didn't have anymore hayfever actually irritates my throat passage and caused whizzing cough. I stopped taking the drink. No more whizzing coughs, plus my hayfever has not returned since. I am so gladed that I found this site and would like to share how ACV cures my hayfever!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Mary (Munson, PA) on 06/24/2007
 ★★★★★

Apple Cider Vinegar. Periodically, I have trouble with an allergic symptom that is similar to Meniere's Syndrome symptoms, however Meniere's Syndrome has been ruled out by my doctors. The specialists determined that it was "some kind of allergy." I have not had an attack in two years, but did yesterday after spending a several days outside in very windy weather gardening. In frustration, I looked on the internet for a "natural allergy cure," and found the apple cider vinegar one. I tried it. Within an hour, I was feeling better, not perfect, but definitely BETTER. I will continue to try it and encourage my husband, who has hay fever, to try it also. Thank you so much, as I was desperate to stay off of medications!

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Susan (Tampa, FL) on 01/03/2007
 ★★★★★

2 tsp honey, 2 tsp apple cider vinegar in 8 to 16 ounces of water 3 times a day cured my arthritis, back pain and allergies. I was in so much pain for many many years with severe back problems, and then 2 years ago was diagnosed with rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. The dr. prescribed steroids, and 2 different immuno suppressant drugs and the side effects were horrible. I could hardly get out of bed in the morning, my joints and muscles hurt so bad, i also have fibromyalgia. I started this regimen about a month ago and saw immediate results. My hay fever has cleared up also. My sinuses are dry, usually I always have a bad post nasal drip problem. I feel more energized, and my body just feels good, like it is getting what it needs.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Jack (Baltimore, MD) on 07/01/2006
 ★★★★★

Raw Apple Cider w/water 16oz 4-5 times day for 6 months. Half your body weight in ounces of water per day. Before meals and at bedtime. This concoction cured Hay fever I suffered from for 30 years, also acid reflux. My urine is mostly clear. No symptoms of allergies even if I miss weeks of the tonic and drink only clean water instead. No Acne break outs. Everyone can save so much money that they would spend on allergy pills if they would do this simple and cheap method.

Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Clare C. (Bristol, England)
★★★★★

I've been taking 2 teaspoons of Cider vinegar 3 times a day for my hayfever and I am amazed to say that I am almost symptom free, I now do not take anything else but the unpasteurized cider vinegar... I managed to get hold of some unprocessed honey and took that with the vinegar but the next day I sneezed really badly and my eyes were itching! so I stopped taking the honey and so did my symptoms.

Baking Soda

1 User Review
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Posted by Qigongbill (Fremont, Ca) on 05/07/2016
 ★★★★★

Baking soda for Hay Fever:

It works for me and my friends. I am over 65.

1/2 teaspoon baking soda, in 4 oz of water. Results can be seen within 1/2 hr. It is more effective, last longer, cheaper than those non drowsy tablets.

Dietary Suggestions

1 User Review
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Posted by Lisa (Satellite Beach, FL) on 03/17/2008
 ★★★★★

The Acid-Alkaline Diet for Optimum Health allowed me to stop taking all prescription allergy meds after only 3 days. (Allegra, sudafed, eye drops, etc.) Symptoms still remained but are diminishing significantly, the more I follow the ph-ion.com program to get well. After 30 years of allergiest/ENTs/surgeries/shots and drugs I am amazed that "hay fever" is diet/digestion related! Never did a doctor imply there could be a food link, especially since shots seemed to help. This diet is the only direct link I've found to cure my allergies.. so test your ph and give it a try if indicated. Amazing.

Garlic

1 User Review
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Posted by Haywood (Arlington, VA)
★★★★★

I cut up cloves like the size of pills, and took them with water. I did this treatment at night so I could go through the next day without being bothered with hay fever.


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