Hay fever cures already in your house as experts say to ditch the antihistamines (2025)

With warmer weather comes allergy season - and for Brits with hay fever, antihistamines can be expensive. Here are five natural hay fever remedies you already have at home.

This week, UK searches for "Pollen Count" have hit a six-month peak, with queries such as "how quickly do antihistamines work" dominating search trends. The Met Office has declared the start of hay fever season and warns that symptoms may be particularly intense this year due to last spring's warm spells.

As temperatures have risen over the last two weeks, hitting as high as 21°C in parts of the UK, the 21 million Brits who suffer from hay fever are gearing up for allergy season.

While many turn to over-the-counter antihistamines, which can be expensive and may come with side effects or medication interactions.

Now, Stuart Hazledine, a tea specialist from Char Teas, offers insight into five accessible and natural hay fever remedies that might already be found in your kitchen cupboard - without the need to pop pills daily.

Green Tea

"Green tea contains compounds like gallic acid and quercetin, which help stabilise immune cells that release histamine. This means it can be effective for reducing symptoms like runny nose and watery eyes.

As well as suggesting driving green tea, Stuart recommends eating citrus fruits and apples, stating: "quercetin is an antioxidant also found in citrus fruits, apples, and onions, so consider adding these ingredients to your plate too."

Turmeric tea

The tea specialist also recommends drinking a cup of turmeric tea, he states: "Turmeric contains curcumin, an active ingredient that blocks histamine release and reduces inflammation. Whilst often known for easing joint pain, turmeric can also help relieve the congestion, coughing, and itchiness caused by hay fever.

"Allergy sufferers could add it to meals or mix it with hot water, lemon and honey to create a soothing turmeric tea," he continues.

Ginger tea

Stuart also recomends drinking ginger tea as studies show that "ginger extract improves the nasal symptoms of hay fever."

He states: "Not only is it a natural antihistamine, ginger supports the immune system while also alleviating headaches caused by allergies. Enjoy it as a tea by pouring boiled water over fresh or dried ginger root, or add it to curries, stir-fries, and baked goods."

Honey

Local honey might not have loads of scientific proof behind it, but plenty of people swear by it for easing hay fever. Tea specialist Stuart states: "It has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce congestion, being rich in antioxidants, and bioactive compounds like flavonoids and phenolic acids.

The spread also has prebiotic properties that support beneficial gut bacteria, which emerging research suggests could play a role in managing hay fever symptoms."

He recommends, to try "a spoonful in your tea or drizzle it over breakfast."

Chamomile

Chamomile can be helpful in many situations as it has a natural anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties which can "help soothe hay fever symptoms."

Stuart suggests: "Drinking chamomile tea can reduce irritation in the eyes and nasal passages, and inhaling its steam will also help to clear congestion. Try sipping on a warm cup of chamomile tea before bed for an allergy-fighting boost."

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The tea specialist highlights two key foods to steer clear of if you struggle with hay fever. One being pineapple which is high in histamine and can worsen allergy symptoms. Similarly, strawberries are known as histamine liberators and can trigger histamine release in the gut, which can aggravate allergies.

Before trying herbal remedies, always consult with a doctor to check they won’t interfere with existing medications.