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11 Herbs That Help With Seasonal Allergies & Sinus Problems

11 Herbs That Help With Seasonal Allergies & Sinus Problems

Hay Fever Season Keeping You Indoors?

If your love of gardening and being out in nature is hampered by allergies, this article on herbs that help with seasonal allergies and sinusitis may benefit you. There are more, so this is just a short list of some of them.

There are so many wonderful herbs for allergies, inflammation and more, that you might decide to grow your own medicinal herb garden!

If you’re using herbs that help with seasonal allergies we’d love to hear which ones of these or others are working for you and how your’re using them.

10 herbs for Seasonal allergies
10 herbs for seasonal allergies

Herbs for Seasonal Allergies

One of the ways some herbs and foods serve medicinally is through their ability to reduce inflammation, and allergies are a form of inflammation. Others, like echinacea, may support allergies by way of strengthening immunity. And others through antihistamine, antiviral, or antibacterial properties.

So here’s a short list or some popular go-to herbs for mitigating seasonal allergies.

CAUTION: Some of these include plants in the Asteraceae family, which can cause reactions in those with sensitivity to the Asterales, which include asters, daisies, and sunflowers.

1. Butterbur (Petasites hybridus)

  • Family: Asteraceae
  • Zones: 3-7
  • Sunlight: Partial shade to full sun
  • Benefits –
    • proven: Reduces inflammation and allergic reactions, effective for hay fever relief[1]https://www.jstor.org/stable/25227207[2]https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/seasonal-allergies-at-a-glance
    • ethnobotanical: Historically used for treating coughs, asthma, and migraine headaches

You can find lots of forms of butterbur on Amazon, including seeds to plant!

CAUTION: alkaloids can be harmful; look for an alkaloid free version, or consult with your wellness practitioner. [3]https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/seasonal-allergies-at-a-glance

Butterbur Petasites hybridus for SEASONAL ALLERGIES. AVOID if you're allergic to the Asteraceae family.
Butterbur Petasites hybridus for seasonal allergies. AVOID if you’re allergic to the Asteraceae family.

2. Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea)

  • Family: Asteraceae
  • Zone: 3-9
  • Sunlight: Full sun
  • Benefits –
    • Proven: Boosts immune system, reduces inflammation, and may help with respiratory tract infections.[4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2362099/
    • Ethnobotanical: Used by Native Americans for various ailments, including respiratory issues and wound healing

CAUTION: If you’re allergic to plants in the asteraceae family, this may not be the remedy for you.

See also, our article on Homegrown Remedies.

Echinacea Echinacea purpurea for seasonal allergies. AVOID if you're allergic to the Asteraceae family.
Echinacea Echinacea purpurea for seasonal allergies. AVOID if you’re allergic to the Asteraceae family.

3. Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis)

  • Family: Orobanchaceae
  • Zones: 4-8
  • Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
  • Benefits –
    • proven: Anti-inflammatory properties, effective for treating eye irritation related to allergies.[5]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4115993/
    • ethnobotanical: Traditional European remedy for eye conditions, including conjunctivitis and blepharitis.
Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) May help with seasonal allergies.
Eyebright (Euphrasia officinalis) May help with seasonal allergies.

4. Feverfew (Tanacetum parthenium)

  • Family: Asteraceae
  • Zones: 4-9
  • Sunlight: Full sun
  • Benefits –
    • Proven: Anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties, helpful for reducing allergy symptoms[6]https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2441022/