Decongestants for Hay Fever Sufferers

Just when you thought it was safe to go outside again, hay fever strikes. Its victims are marked by their raw, runny noses, maddeningly itchy eyes and constant sneezing – symptoms that lead many to seek shelter indoors, where they can be found sniffing morosely and resisting the overwhelming temptation to give their eyeballs a good scratch.

Hay fever – also known as allergic rhinitis – is caused by the body’s immune system overreacting to pollen grains. These grains land on sensitive mucous membranes in the nose and eyes, provoking the histamine response that sufferers dread. As well as the aforementioned itching and sneezing, hay fever brings with it a hefty dose of nasal congestion. Discomfort, difficulty breathing and lethargy is the name of the game when it comes to hay fever-induced congestion – but don’t despair! There are plenty of natural ways to beat congestion without reaching for steroid nasal sprays or drowsy antihistamines.

Bayberry

Available as a tincture, herbal extract or unrefined bark, Bayberry is another useful tool in your congestion-beating arsenal. A powerful astringent, bayberry contains organic compounds that promote decongestion in the sinuses and nasal passages.

Save yourself the hassle of fiddling about with loose handfuls of bark by getting your hands on some Baldwins Bayberry Tincture. Simply add a teaspoon of the tincture to a cup of hot water and stir – an extra spoonful of honey helps it go down even easier.

Eucalyptus

Introduced to Europe from Australia at the end of the 18th century, eucalyptus has been used as an effective antiseptic by indigenous Australians for millennia. Aside from its anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, what makes eucalyptus the ultimate hay fever remedy is its ability to unblock congested airways and help sufferers breathe easy once more. It may even work to limit the immunological overreaction that causes the maddening symptoms of hay fever, so make sure you have some handy.

Whack a few drops of Baldwins Eucalyptus Essential Oil into a bowl of boiling water, throw a towel over your head and breathe the resulting vapours deeply for a sinus-tingling, invigorating decongestant hit.

Trikatu Powder

A warming mixture of finely-ground black pepper, long pepper and ginger, this potent powder is a cornerstone of Ayurveda and has most likely been used medicinally for thousands of years. At the top of its long list of medical benefits is Trikatu’s decongestant property, which works by increasing bronchial secretions, thinning mucus and soothing inflamed membranes in the nose and throat.

You can simply add a spoonful of Baldwins Trikatu Powder to a glass of water, stir and drink – but we prefer to fill some 00 Size Vegetarian Capsules and consume it in tablet form.

There’s evidence to suggest that Trikatu can act as a natural antihistamine, limiting the body’s immune response to pollen. Not only will this help reduce the other infuriating symptoms of hay fever like itchy eyes and sneezing, it will also inhibit the production of stubborn mucus in your airways.

So there you have it – three effective, herbal decongestants that won’t leave you drowsy and lethargic like conventional antihistamines. Now get outside and make the most of your summer!

For the full collection of Hay Fever remedies, feel free to browse our site which has a section full-devoted to the treatment of Hay Fever symptoms and other seasonal ailments. Just click here to see more!

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