There are a number of things you can eat and drink, or avoid, which may help curb your hayfever symptoms, including itchy eyes, itchy face and skin, sneezing, runny nose, nasal congestion and lethargy.
Things to avoid are foods which stimulate the production of mucus. This includes dairy products, refined food, processed food, alcohol and caffine. Try an alternative to dairy like goats milk, goats cheese, sheep milk, rice milk oat or soya milk. Or even better, try a herbal tea with added benefits.

Eat wholemeal foods instead of starchy white carbohydrates (bread, rice, cereal). Instead of using white cane sugar, try dried sugar cane juice, agave syrup; maple syrup, brown rice syrup in small amounts or honey. Local honey is said to help build up resistance to the pollen in your area. Try a teaspoon a day on its own, in tea of coffee or on cereal.

Caffeine makes it more difficult for the body to cope with stress and stops minerals being absorbed. You could substitute caffeinated teas and coffees with rooibos tea, green tea or other herbal teas (see below), as well as decaffeinated tea or coffee.

Quercetin is a natural antihistamine. Antihistamines combat the effects of histamine, which is produced by the body when it reacts with pollen. Quercetin is found in red onions and apples and red wine. Pinaapples contain bromelain which helps the body absorb quercetin.
Betacarotene is high in vitamin C and helps boost the immune system, therefore helping the body to fight hayfever symptoms. Orange, red and dark green fruit and vegetables all are high in betacarotene. Try oranges, red apples, orange and red pepper, watercress, rocket, spinach, broccoli, green beans, kale, nettles and seaweed.

Eating the most natural and fresh produce possible could be vital. Sufferers have reported re-lapses of hayfever when eating synthetic cream instead of fresh cream and margarine instead of butter. Always buy high quality, organic ingredients. They contain more vitamins and less synthetic pesticides.

Other things that may help include yoghurt, which is cooling and has a mild antihistamine effect and garlic which can help to reduce catarrh associated with hayfever – try a garlic supplement or eat two cloves a day on their own or in food. Oats are high in B vitamins and minerals which boost the body’s immune system.

Detoxing will cleanse your body and help ensure you are at your healthiest to fight any unwanted hayfever symptoms. Carrot juice and green vegetables are powerful natural detoxificants which can help to cleanse your system.

Herbal teas can be beneficial as they cleanse the system and can soothe and calm as well as acting as a natural antihistamine.

Nettle is a powerful natural antihistamine and eases coughs and other respiratory problems. Drink as a juice or tea, or make nettle soup from local nettles. Aloe Vera juice is also calming and soothing, and so is camomile tea. Plantain is another natural antihistamine.

Pine needles, eucalyptus leaves and rosehips have soothing and decongestant properties. Goldenrod helps to cleanse the body, aids digestion, helps prevent and clear mucus. Liquorice is a delicious herbal tea which helps to clear nasal congestion and has other health benefits including anti-viral properties. It has a rich and warming flavour.

Lemon tea lifts the spirits and relaxes the mind and body. Rosemary relieves throat and nasal congestion associated with colds and hayfever. Dandelion tea or dandelion coffee is said to be the nicest tasting herbal tea and also generally the most beneficial to the health.

Above all, it’s a process of trial and error. Try some of these tips and see if they work for you, perhaps in conjunction with other things, like antihistamine drugs, a natural nasal spray or eye drops, other alternative therapies or other conventional medicinal treatments. There are also relatively new things on the market like the hay band, the sneeze beam and the pollen barrier balm (try HayMax) which may help you.

It is possible to take a food sensitivity test to find out if you are allergic to certain things. A wheat allergy may exacerbate hayfever symptoms. For more information or for a more individually tailored advice see a dietician or nutritionist. The Nutrition Society can help you find a registered nutritionist.

Rachel Brown is a website copywriter with a health background based in Godalming, Surrey. Contact – rmbrown@live.co.uk.

This article should be regarded as a reference source only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Seek the advice of your doctor before beginning any protocol. The author disclaims any liability arising from the use of information on these pages.