Hayfever sufferers need no introduction to the problem for they are only too well aware of the horrors of persistent sneezing fits, uncontrollably streaming eyes and nose, tickly cough, catarrh, headache, itchy skin and tiredness. Hayfever is caused by an allergic reaction to a substance which affects the fragile, sensitive areas of the eyes and the nose.

Hayfever is not a dangerous complaint. It is merely debilitating, distressing and destructive for it is virtually impossible to lead a normal life whilst suffering a prolonged bout. It also leaves a weary body vulnerable to infection and wreaks havoc upon the looks, thus leaving women particularly depressed. The best advice that can be given is to identify the provocative substance which causes the allergy as quickly as possible and keep well away from it. At one time it was thought beneficial to smoke herbal cigarettes containing stramonium which is another name for datura or thorn apple, a highly dangerous plant. Another suspect recipe which was popular and which shows the lengths to which a sufferer may be driven was that of milk, sherry and a soupcon of aconite (also poisonous) shaken together and sweetened to taste!

Long-term Recommendations

Most authorities would say that there is no foolproof method of guarding against allergic reaction. It would seem that commonsense dictates an improvement in one’s general state of health by using better breathing techniques,  improving one’s posture, exercising more, giving up smoking, ensuring that one is not constipated and improving the diet in three ways. First of all spend a few days eating only citrus fruit, drinking carrot or beetroot juice and consuming lots of raw vegetables. Follow this by one week of eating no red meat, refined carbohydrate, milk products, eggs, pulses, nuts or grains. Thereafter avoid junk foods and cut down on red meats, refined carbohydrate and milk products (try soya milk instead), all of which make mucus thus exacerbating hayfever.

If you suffer from an allergy caused by natural occurrences, such as flowers in bloom or hay cutting, and know roughly the seasons in which these occur, embark on a course of honey-comb one month beforehand – 1 teaspoon chewed daily as one might chew gum for at least 15 minutes and them discarded – continuing this treatment for as long as is required. It is believed that people raised on a daily teaspoon of honeycomb will never suffer from allergy throughout their lifetime.

Garlic perles taken daily are also believed to minimize the problem as is nettle tea drunk regularly.

• Red clover tea Clover is recommended to control allergy therefore it might be sensible to drink this regularly when the hayfever season is approaching. Steep 1 teaspoon of fresh blossoms in 1 cup of boiling water for 10 minutes, having first made sure that any small insects have been well and truly shaken out of their habitat.

To Counter Irritation when under Siege

Any aromatic herb or inhalant given under Asthma is suitable.

• Lemon juice Sea water sniffed up each nostril daily is said to minimize allergy but sniffing lemon juice up each nostril at the onset of an attack, as advocated  by some, is a mind-bending experience. I can only say that such was my state of mind when I tried this remedy that I believe I stopped sneezing and went into shock. It is kinder and more practical to plug each nostril with cotton wool soaked in lemon juice which also reduces the chances of catching a cold. Sniffing snuff was once used to counteract the sneezes by producing a whole range of self-inflicted ones. One of the good home remedies for hay fever.

• Aromatic inhalant A mixture of 1g (oz) each of eucalyptus leaves, marsh mallow flowers and sweet violets, boiled in 600 ml (1 pint) of water and inhaled beneath a towel is a refreshingly pleasant experience.

• Pine and eucalyptus Infuse a pinch each of pine and eucalyptus leaves, in 600ml (1pint) of boiling water and take during an attach.

• Elecampane tea Elecampane is a robust, golden , daisy-type plant which is still used in many proprietary cough medicines. Use 25g (1oz) to 600ml (1pint) of boiling water to make a soothing tea which should be drunk at the rate of ½ wineglass every four hours or used as a vapor inhalant. One of the best home remedies for hay fever.

• Rose hips These are full of valuable vitamin C to replace that used up  during a hayfever attack.

• Rose hip tea For an overwhelmingly delicious and colourful tea take 2 tablespoons of commercially prepared dried rosehips, place them in a  small china bowl and cover with water. Leave for 12 hours. Bring 1.8 litres (3 pints) of water to the boil in a stainless steel or enamel pan, add the rose hips and 2 teaspoons of hibiscus flowers 9which add glorious colour and a lemony tang) and simmer gently for half an hour. Strain and keep in a china tea pot in the refrigerator. Reheat when needed but keep no longer than three days.

Rose Hip Syrup

450g (11b) bright orange hips picked
just after the second frost
 boiling water
honey

Crush the hips and put them into 900ml (1.5 pints) of boiling water (do not use an iron or aluminum pan: one should never cook with aluminum and especially not if one suffers from asthma). Bring to the boil then stand off the heat for 15 minutes. Strain through several layers of muslin, reserving the juice. Reboil the mashed fruit again with a further 300 ml (1/2 pint) of water. Stand for a further 15 minutes and strain. Mix the two juices together, return to the pan and reduce by a long slow boiling until there is approx imately 600 ml (1 pint0 of syrup left. Sweeten to taste with honey  and bottle in clean dry containers. Keep refrigerated once open.

• Goose grease and golden rod This lotion was used to soothe noses and lips made sore by constant sneezing and wiping. It was also believed to trap offending pollen and protect the sensitive area. The herbal moisturizer recommended under Allergic Reactions is also very effective. One of the best home remedies for hay fever.
• Olive oil A gentle salve based on this oil will soothe inflamed eyelids. Occasionally irritation and inflammation of the eyes can be caused by conjunctivitis which may also be the result of an  allergic reaction.

Eye Salve

50g (2oz) white wax (paraffin wax or beeswax)
300 ml (1/2 pint) virgin olive oil
100 ml (2 fl oz) pure white vinegar

Melt the wax and oil together in one small bowl over boiling water and in another gently warm the vinegar in the same way. Remove both bowls from the heat and beat the vinegar slowly into the oily mixture. Continue to beat gently until cool. Transfer to a pot and seal when cold.