By Karen Morris
Spring is a season of warmer days, renewal, and all the gorgeous flowers blooming.
But for many, it also brings sneezing fits, watery eyes, and itchy throats. Seasonal allergies (also known as hay fever or allergic rhinitis) are triggered when your immune system reacts to airborne allergens like pollen, grass, and dust.
If you’re dreading spring because of allergy symptoms, know that there are natural, supportive ways to ease your discomfort and help your body adapt to the seasonal change.
Why Allergies Flare Up in Spring
When pollen from trees, flowers, and grasses enters your system, your immune response can go into overdrive. This triggers the release of histamines, leading to:
- Sneezing and nasal congestion
- Itchy, watery eyes
- Scratchy throat or post-nasal drip
- Fatigue or brain fog
The good news? Naturopathic medicine offers gentle, effective support to help calm the immune system, reduce inflammation, and bring you relief.
Naturopathic Remedies for Allergy Relief
Quercetin
Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant and natural antihistamine found in foods like onions, apples, and berries. As a supplement, it helps stabilize mast cells, which release histamine, and may reduce sneezing, congestion, and itchy eyes. Take 1 tablet one to two times daily depending on severity of symptoms.
Vitamin C
Known as a natural antihistamine, Vitamin C reduces inflammation and strengthens the immune system. Liposomal Vitamin C helps with hay fever by acting as a natural antihistamine to reduce the body’s histamine levels and inflammation, and by strengthening the immune system and protecting against oxidative stress. The “liposomal” delivery method enhances its absorption, allowing the Vitamin C to be taken up by cells more effectively than traditional forms and providing a more potent effect against allergic symptoms.
Stinging Nettle
Stinging Nettle herbal drops is often used in naturopathic practice for hay fever. It may ease sneezing and nasal congestion by naturally blocking histamine receptors. Nettle is an antihistamine and can therefore be useful for allergies. Daily supplement of nettle leaves may alleviate the allergic symptoms. Internally, nettle leaf can also be given to help with skin conditions as it can cleanse and stimulate the blood and clear chronic skin ailments and alleviate itchy skin. Take 1ml once to four times daily.
Probiotics
Gut health plays a big role in immune balance. Probiotic supplementation can support your microbiome, reducing the intensity of allergic reactions and promoting overall resilience. Lactobacillus rhamnosus & Lactobacillus paracasei combination is of two immune modulating, anti-inflammatory probiotic strains, that help to maintain healthy immune system regulation, reduce occurrence of allergy symptoms and manage eczema and psoriasis, as it can help to reduce the symptoms of eczema such as itching. Take 1 capsule daily.
Sinus Herbal Drops
Sinus Herbal Drops may help alleviate the suffering associated with sinusitis and helps catarrh due to chest infections and nasal congestion. This blend has natural antibacterial properties that helps to counter Inflammation of the sinus cavity. A lovely blend of herbs such as Pelargonium, Eyebright, Albizia and Poke Root, this herbal mix helps support you during hay fever season. Take 2ml one to four times daily.
Nasal Sprays
Allan Sutton’s Nasal Spray can help ease the nasal irritation associated with colds and flu, allergic reactions including hay fever, and sinus problems. It contains 16-20ppm of silver which can provide many benefits and can act as a antibiotic which helps stave off nasty bacteria, fungi and viruses.
Herbal Nasal Spray with Goldenseal is formulated to lubricate nasal passages and act on bacteria, fungi or viruses. In a convenient measured dose with each use, the Goldenseal extract is added to a base of 16-20ppm colloidal silver. Goldenseal is rich with berberine, hydrastine, and canadine. These are alkaloids and are linked to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Colloidal silver can provide many benefits and can act as an antibiotic which helps stave off nasty bacteria, fungi and viruses. Spray 1 pump into each nostril two to three times daily.
Local Raw Honey
Consuming small amounts of local honey may help your body adapt to regional pollen over time, potentially reducing symptoms.
Lifestyle Tips for Allergy Season
- Shut windows on high pollen days and use air purifiers indoors.
- Shower before bed to rinse pollen off skin and hair.
- Wash bedding often in hot water to reduce allergen buildup.
- Stay hydrated – water helps thin mucus and ease congestion.
- Mind diet triggers -dairy and processed sugar may increase mucus production and worsen symptoms for some people.
Finding Your Natural Relief
Everybody is unique, so it can take a little experimentation to discover which natural solution works best for you. Our naturopath can help tailor an approach that suits your constitution, allergies, and lifestyle.
This spring, don’t let allergies dim your joy. With the right support – from simple lifestyle shifts to targeted naturopathic remedies, you can breathe easier, enjoy the blooms, and feel more energized.