Natural Hay Fever Relief: Tea, Tincture, Supplements or Nasya Oil – Which Works Best?

Each year, as blossoms return and the days grow warmer, millions of us face an unwelcome side effect: hay fever. Around one in four people in the UK experience seasonal allergies, with symptoms ranging from itchy eyes and sneezing to fatigue, headaches and congestion. Google searches for hay fever remedies spike sharply each spring, reflecting just how many people are looking for fast, reliable relief.

At Zen Maitri, we believe in working with the body, not against it. Our plant-based formulations draw from traditional wisdom and modern herbal science to support your immune system, calm inflammation, and help your body respond more gently to allergens. In this guide, we’ll explore four effective herbal approaches to hay fever (and other allergies) - and help you decide which (or which combination) is right for you.

Why Do Allergies Happen?

Hay fever, or seasonal allergic rhinitis, occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies pollen as a threat and releases histamine to defend the body. This reaction triggers a cascade of symptoms: runny nose, itchy eyes, sneezing, sinus pressure - all of which can drain your energy and affect sleep, mood and concentration.

While conventional antihistamines can suppress symptoms, they don’t address the root causes or support the body’s natural regulation. Herbal medicine offers a gentler, more holistic approach that focuses on restoring your natural balance, without any of the nasty side effects.

The Problem With Conventional Antihistamines

Pharmaceutical antihistamines are effective for many, but they come with common drawbacks:

• Drowsiness or brain fog
  
  
• Dry mouth and dehydration
  
  
• Reduced efficacy over time
  
  
• Short-term symptom suppression without immune support
  
  

Herbal products, by contrast, often offer anti-inflammatory and antihistamine effects without these side effects. Many herbs also support immune regulation, respiratory health, and mucous membrane repair - helping you feel better today and build resilience for tomorrow.

Key Hay Fever Herbs — What the Research Says

Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)

Traditionally used for centuries to treat eye and sinus complaints, eyebright reduces watery eyes, runny nose, and upper respiratory inflammation. Its astringent and anti-catarrhal properties make it especially helpful for sinus congestion and pharyngitis.

Elderflower (Sambucus nigra)

Cooling and decongestant, elderflower is rich in flavonoids that calm inflammation and ease fevers. It soothes mucous membranes, making it useful for runny noses, teary eyes and allergic rashes.

Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

This gentle yellow flower relaxes bronchial tension, supports sleep, and eases stress-related tightening of the chest. It also has mild antimicrobial activity, helpful during allergy-triggered infections.

Baikal Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis)

A potent anti-allergy herb, Baikal skullcap is rich in baicalin - a compound shown to reduce histamine release and inflammation in lab studies. It supports immune modulation and respiratory health, and helps the body reduce over-reactivity to environmental triggers.

Plantain (Plantago major)

This common hedgerow herb is packed with mucilage — a soothing compound that coats irritated tissues in the throat and sinuses. It relaxes spasms and calms dry, irritated coughs.

Peppermint & Yarrow

Both herbs support respiratory clarity and contain quercetin — a plant-based flavonoid shown to naturally reduce histamine levels.

Compare Your Natural Hay Fever Options at a Glance

1. Hay Fever Tea: A Comforting Daily Ritual

Combining eyebright, elderflower, chamomile, plantain and yarrow, this tea soothes inflamed airways and strengthens immune response with each cup. It’s ideal for people who prefer a slower, gentler form of relief and want to build resilience over time.

Many clients use this as a morning and evening staple, often noticing a reduction in congestion, sneezing and fatigue within days.

Check out our Hay Fever Tea

2. Allergy Support Tincture: Fast-Acting, Pocket Friendly

When symptoms come on quickly, the tincture provides rapid relief. Alcohol extraction makes the herbal actives more bioavailable, meaning your body absorbs them faster. This format is easy to carry and dose throughout the day. A warning though: it doesn’t taste great, so we recommend diluting with water or mixing it into a sweet drink! 

Shop Our Allergy Tincture

3. Allergy Support Supplements: Consistency Made Easy

Ideal for commuters or those with busy mornings, these capsules contain a blend of Baikal skullcap, elderflower and vitamin C to support your immune system throughout the day. A steady supply of anti-inflammatory and antihistamine compounds makes this a popular first line of defence against seasonal allergies. 

Buy Our Allergy Supplements

4. Nasya Oil: Ancient Ayurvedic Care for Modern Sinuses

This nourishing oil is a game-changer for sinus congestion. By applying a few drops to each nostril, you hydrate and cleanse the nasal passages while clearing allergens. Especially helpful at night or before heading outside.

How to use:

1. Lie down and tilt your head back slightly
   
   

2. Drop 2–3 drops of oil into each nostril
   
   

3. Inhale deeply and rest for 1–2 minutes
   
   

Shop Our Nasya Oil

Build Your Personal Pollen Routine

Many people find best results by combining remedies. Here’s one example routine:

• Morning: Capsules + Nasya Oil
  
  
• Midday: A cup of allergy support tea after lunch
  
  
• Evening: Use our tincture if symptoms spike
  
  

Hay Fever & Allergy Lifestyle Tips

• Rinse your face and hair before bed
  
  
• Keep windows shut during peak pollen hours (midday–6pm)
  
  
• Wash pillowcases every few days
  
  

Herbal vs Over the Counter Hay Fever Remedies

What Makes Our Allergy Support Collection Different?

At Zen Maitri, we know that choosing the right support for hay fever and seasonal allergies can feel overwhelming. With so many options available, what sets ours apart?

1. Developed by Medical Herbalists

Each product in our Allergy Support range is created by our in-house team of qualified medical herbalists. These aren’t off-the-shelf formulas — they are rooted in both traditional herbal knowledge and up-to-date clinical understanding of allergy responses, histamine regulation and respiratory health.

2. Carefully Selected, Whole Plant Ingredients

We use organic or sustainably wild-harvested ingredients wherever possible. You’ll find no fillers, synthetic preservatives or unnecessary binders in any of our products. Just potent, plant-based ingredients chosen for their proven ability to:

• Reduce histamine response (e.g. Baikal skullcap, yarrow, elderflower)
• Soothe irritated mucous membranes (e.g. plantain, eyebright, chamomile)
• Clear allergens from the body (e.g. peppermint, Nasya oil)

3. Tailored to Different Lifestyles and Needs

We offer our formulations in multiple formats — tea, tincture, capsule, and nasal oil — so you can choose the approach that suits your routine and symptoms best. Whether you prefer a daily tea ritual, a supplement for busy mornings, or fast relief from a tincture on the go, you can build your personal toolkit.

4. Made Fresh in Our London Apothecary

All of our products are blended and bottled in small batches by hand, here in London. That means we can monitor quality at every stage, and ensure that what reaches you is as fresh, vibrant and effective as possible.

5. Honest Pricing and Transparent Formulas

We’ve recently reduced our prices to make natural health more accessible to more people. Our new everyday prices reflect our commitment to fair margins and exceptional quality. And we always list every ingredient on the label — no vague promises, no hidden extras.

Want to explore the Seasonal Health Collection? Click here >

Best Natural Remedies For Common Hay Fever Symptoms

Everyone experiences hay fever a little differently. Here’s how to match our products to your most persistent symptoms:

– Itchy, watery eyes

Best remedy: Hay Fever Tea or Tincture (rich in eyebright and elderflower) These herbs soothe inflammation in the eyes and sinuses, easing irritation and calming overstimulated mucous membranes.

– Runny nose and sneezing fits

Best remedy: Allergy Support Capsules. With Baikal skullcap, quercetin and vitamin C, these capsules support the immune system and calm histamine surges throughout the day.

– Night-time congestion or poor sleep

Best remedy: Nasya Oil before bed - Nasya Oil clears allergens from the nasal passages and hydrates tissues. A tea blend with Chamomile, such as our Allergy Support Tea - also works to soothe the nervous system and relaxes bronchial tension.

– Chest tightness and dry, irritable cough

Best remedy: Tincture (with plantain, chamomile and peppermint) Taken in warm water, the tincture calms spasms, eases coughs and supports clearer breathing.

Need Personal Guidance for Your Allergies or Hay Fever?

We offer free 15-minute herbal consultations. Whether you’re dealing with complex allergies or just want to talk through the options, we’re here.

Book your consultation here >