If you or your family struggle with hay fever, you know how much it can disrupt daily life. Endless sneezing or a runny nose can affect your social life, fitness regime, studying, working, holidays and more.
Learn about the most commonly used homeopathic remedies for hay fever with our handy guide. We’ve also included some lifestyle and nutritional tips that can help reduce your overall sensitivity to pollen.
Mixed Pollens 30
This is the simplest approach, and if it works for you, that’s great! You can use this remedy in two ways: as an acute treatment when symptoms are bad or as a preventative.
For acute use: Carry a bottle of Mixed Pollens 30c when you’re out and about. Take one dose per day for a few days, when your symptoms are bad.
As a preventative: During your hay fever season, take the remedy either once weekly or on Monday/Wednesday/Friday. Experiment to find the frequency that suits you best.
You might not achieve total relief with this remedy alone, but aim for a good level of symptom control. You can then add other remedies for clusters of more acute symptoms as needed.
Choosing the right remedy: Mixed Pollens 30c contains pollen from common flowers, trees and grasses. Homeopathic pharmacies also stock Grass Pollens 30c and Tree Pollens 30c. If you know your symptoms are triggered by something specific, like freshly cut grass, try the corresponding remedy.
You can take it either acutely or preventatively in the same way as described above.
Histaminum 30
Some people find this remedy more effective than Mixed Pollen, both for acute symptoms and for prevention. Experiment to see which works best for you.
In homeopathy, Histaminum is used in a micro dose, following the principle of “like cures like.” This differs from conventional medicine, which typically uses antihistamines and follows the principle of treating with opposites.
Sulphur 30
Consider this remedy if itching is the dominant symptom. Intense itching that leads to scratching until the skin is irritated or broken can be improved with Sulpher 30.
Symptoms can worsen with heat (hot showers, warm rooms, etc.). The person may feel mentally foggy, exhausted and find it hard to focus. The person may also have a general tendency toward skin irritation.
Use this remedy sparingly, as it is more constitutional in nature than the others listed. During an acute flare up, take one dose daily for up to three days.
Euphrasia (Eyebright) 30
A traditional treatment for the eyes. Try this remedy if most of your symptoms are in your eyes. Eyes feel sensitive, irritated, as if full of sand.
Eyes may be bloodshot, dry and sensitive to light. Burning, watery discharge from the eyes with bland watery discharge from the nose.
Allium Cepa 30
This remedy is made from red onion, which explains why it’s often chosen for symptoms that feel a lot like cutting an onion. Think streaming eyes and a runny nose!
Try Allium cepa when the eyes water with a mild, non-irritating discharge, the nose runs with a hot, burning, irritating drip that can flow constantly. Often symptoms are worse on one side of the nose.
Arsenicum Album 30
Try Arsenicum Album 30 when burning discharge causes a dry, red, sore area on the top lip.
Also good for huge sneezes which don’t relieve nasal congestion. Cracked lips. General restlessness and anxiety about health. Try Arsenicum Album 30 when symptoms are worse at night.
Apis mel 30
Try this remedy when the area around the eyes becomes very swollen—sometimes so much that it’s hard to see properly. The swelling may come with sharp, stinging pains and a strong sensitivity to heat.
For extra comfort, you can apply a cool compress using a little Rescue Remedy or 5-Flower Remedy in cold water. It can feel wonderfully soothing while things settle.
Natrum Muriaticum (Nat Mur) 30
This remedy is often considered when the nasal discharge is thick, clear, and stretchy—like uncooked egg white. It may also drip down the back of the throat as post-nasal drip. Hay fever in this picture can come along with cold sores and dry, cracked lips.
When a Nat Mur person feels unwell they often prefer to be on their own, until they feel better.
Other homeopathic remedies for hay fever
You may find that one of these other homeopathic remedies will help on a day of extreme symptoms. Consider using alongside either Mixed Pollens 30 or Histaminum 30.
Ambrosia artemisiaefolia 30 (Ragweed)
Use this remedy when ragweed is the clear trigger for your symptoms.
Ragweed is that bright yellow roadside daisy that blooms everywhere and can turn a simple car journey into misery. Consider using ragweed if you’re planning a long car journey.
Ranunculus bulbosus (Ran-b / Buttercup) 30
This remedy is often chosen for itching and smarting eyes or a pressing sensation at the root of the nose. Ranunculus can also be used to treat hoarseness. There may also be a tingling or crawling feeling inside the nose, as though something is irritating it from within.
Arum triphyllum 30
Use for symptoms such pain at the root of the nose; rawness of nose and throat with abundant sneezing.
Sabadilla 30
Abundant sneezing but with very little watery nasal discharge; face ache.
Natural hay fever remedies
According to the NHS and many others changes to basic lifestyle can drastically reduce symptoms before any treatments are necessary. These natural remedies for hay fever involve simple lifestyle adjustments aimed at minimising exposure to pollen.
Try the below ideas in the allergy season to help minimise your exposure to pollen and allergens.
- Put Vaseline around and inside the nostrils, and around the eyes (use a washed eyeliner applicator) to trap pollen grains
- Wear wrap-around sunglasses and a hat with a brim
- Don’t dry clothes outside. Pollen gets trapped on fabric and is released when brought inside
- Hoover often and dust with a damp cloth to pick pollen and other allergens
- Use an air filter to reduce the amount of pollen circulating in the air
The constitutional approach
Ideally, a qualified homeopath will address a person’s hay fever constitution during the winter, when symptoms are absent. This allows for deeper constitutional work and may lead to noticeable improvement when spring arrives.
A homeopath will choose a remedy, or a series of remedies, based on the whole person with hay fever being treated as just one part of the overall picture.
One approach involves addressing the Psoric Miasm (essentially an underlying tendency toward under-function). This often includes using remedies like Psorinum or Sulphur.
Nutrition and lifestyle
Sugar causes inflammation and therefore is at the base of a lot of allergies. Cutting out sugar from your diet can make a huge difference even if only for the few months of your hay fever symptoms-
If you produce a lot of mucous, or, if dairy food disagrees with you reduce your dairy intake. If you’re not sure, try 7 – 10 days without dairy and see what happens.
Vitamin C is a natural anti-histamine. Your body can tolerate large does of vitamin C, as long as doses are spread out over the day. Invest in a good quality vitamin C supplement and try 3 grams spread over the day.
Make sure to consult a nutritionist If you want to take higher doses of vitamin C.
Do some research on the levels that others have taken and any results they’ve had.
The UK company BioCare Ltd produce a product which people I know have found helpful during the hayfever season: it’s called Quercetin Plus.