Do you live in fear of Spring? Does the abundance of vibrant blooms and blossoming trees sending pollen devils into the air to play havoc with your sinuses and eyes send you into post Winter hibernation?
If you’re dreading the itchy eyes, sneezing and running nose, keep reading for our favourite natural and effective remedies for hay fever season below. Including ideal alternatives to use instead of common petroleum jelly, camphor, paraffin, and turpentine based options.
Prevent a Pollen Invasion in your Sinuses
Creating a barrier around your nostrils to trap pollen before it goes into your nose and causes sinus irritation can be very effective for limiting side effects of pollen allergies without having to resort to medications. It is best to apply a barrier balm before going outside and reapply every few hours or when you feel it dissipating.
ETTO The Skin Balm is perfect for this as it creates a natural barrier and is made from plant-based, safe ingredients that are also nourishing for skin, especially if it is getting dry from constant blowing! Use The Skin Balm instead of vaseline, petroleum jelly or paw paw ointments that contain petrolatum and turpentine.
Shop The Skin Balm, $40
Relieve Congestion with Steam Therapy and Blue Mallee Eucalyptus
Steam is an ideal way to help clear congestion and a stuffy, irritated nose and is a common doctor’s prescription for coughs, colds and hay fever. Add one Forest Lungs Steam Inhaler to a large bowl filled only to a third full with hot water and breathe in the additional clearing benefits of ETTO Blue Mallee Eucalyptus and menthol, both well known remedies for helping respiratory health and will help clear your nasal passages more effectively than just water.
Shop Forest Lungs Steam Inhalers, $38
Say Goodbye to Itchy Eyes & headaches
If your eyes are red, itchy and puffy, or you suffer from hay fever headaches, try a cold compress with cooling ETTO Tea Tree.
Add 2-3 drops of 100% Pure ETTO Tea Tree oil to a small bowl (around 50ml) of cold water, you can add also add some ice cubes, soak a flannel in the water, squeeze out and hold over your eyes for a few minutes or lie down with the cold compress over your eyes and forehead for 5 minutes or so.
Tea Tree is anti-inflammatory and has analgesic properties, so just in the way it can soothe eczema, it can help reduce the irritation hay fever can cause around the eyes. You don’t need very much of the Tea Tree, it is very potent and must be diluted really well, especially when putting it near your eyes. But, it does work a treat!
Shop 100% Pure Australian Tea Tree Oil, $58
Easy DIY Natural Vapour Rub for Clean & Clear Lungs
If hay fever also impacts your lungs, breathing or asthma, try using ETTO 100% Pure Blue Mallee Eucalyptus oil. This oil is a natural anti-inflammatory and decongestant and can ease breathing when inhaled or massaged over the chest. Combine a teaspoon of almond oil or coconut oil with 10 drops of Blue Mallee and massage into your chest and neck as a lovely, soothing and clearing vapour rub. Can be used instead of vapour rubs that contain petroleum jelly.
Shop 100% Pure Australian Blue Mallee Eucalyptus Oil, $49
Extra Handy Hints to Deter a Pollen Hay Fever Attack
- Wear sunglasses outside to prevent pollen entering your eyes
- Change clothes and shower when you come back inside (maybe not the most practical, but a good idea if you have been around nature and lots of plants!)
- If you get severe hay fever you may consider installing an air purifier in your home to help reduce pollen levels in the house
- Keep windows and doors shut when pollen count outside is high
To check what the pollen count is in your area, use the Air Rater App app https://airrater.org/
There are different ones and you may find one specific to your area such as The Perth Pollen Count App run by Curtin University https://apps.apple.com/au/app/perth-pollen-count/id1640644173