5 Natural Hay Fever Remedies

Allergy season is upon us, and as many hay fever sufferers know, it can ruin an otherwise beautiful season. Many are frustrated with over-the-counter medication that empty your wallet or leave you drowsy. Fear not, here are our favorite tried-and-true natural ways to alleviate allergy symptoms.
Bioflavonoids
What is a bioflavonoid? It’s actually been referred to as Vitamin P, as in pigment, because it is the compound responsible for giving many plants their color. When ingested, it strengthens cells and acts as an anti-inflammatory, relieving inflamed nasal passages and tear ducts. Colorful vegetables like carrots and yellow squash are rich in bioflavonoids, and onions and garlic have their own flavonoid called quercetin that also acts as a natural antihistamine.
Honey

Honey contains much of the pollen from the worker bees who created it. This pollen acts as a homeopathic for hay-fever sufferers, making them more resistant to pollen in the air. A spoonful of honey a day can keep sore eyes and runny noses away. Make sure the honey is 100 percent natural and not artificially flavored or loaded with high fructose corn syrup.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C acts as a natural antihistamine because it prevents histamines (compounds that cause inflammation) from forming. This is superior to over-the-counter antihistamines that suppress histamines once they are already formed. Citrus fruits are known for their high vitamin C content, but one that stands out from the rest is the kiwi, which contains as much vitamin C as five oranges!
Chamomile Tea

Chamomile is an excellent source of flavonoids and antioxidants. Drinking chamomile tea in the morning or afternoon is an effective way to relieve hay-fever swelling. You can also relieve itchy eyes directly by making a chamomile eye compress. Just refrigerate your tea bags and hold them to your eyes for up to five minutes for some natural relief.
Girl-Power Gardens
In The Allergy-Fighting Garden, author Thomas Leo Ogren writes about feminizing your backyard with female-sexed plants. Girl plants capture pollen, and act as an allergy screen that reduces or eliminates hay-fever symptoms while you relax at home. Check out his book for valuable, allergy-fighting tips for your garden.