7 indoor plants that can offer hay fever relief
Struggling with the pollen count right now? When it comes to natural hay fever cures, it doesn’t get simpler than succulents…
It’s that glorious time of year again, guys – the sun’s peeking out, temperatures are rising, a few of us have had the audacity to break out the BBQ… and Piriton sales have never been higher.
If summer for you means snotty noses, watery eyes, itchy skin and the inability to stop sneezing, then you’re probably one of the 13 million of us here in the UK desperately searching for hay fever relief.
With one in three Brits battling allergies (with hay fever one of the top causes), our nation has one of the highest prevalence rates of allergic conditions in the entire world.
And while antihistamine tablets, nasal sprays and hay fever eye drops can be helpful in alleviating our symptoms, many of us often find we have to adjust our lifestyle habits so as not to succumb to the very worst reactions of the increased pollen count over summer.
But not all lifestyle changes have to be sacrificial.
What if we told you that something as simple as adding a few extra houseplants could actually provide natural hay fever relief?
It seems entirely counterintuitive to bring plants indoors in the hopes of curing hay fever, but professional gardening and plants expert Fiona Jenkins at MyJobQuote.co.uk has discovered that indoor plants can significantly help to reduce the symptoms of hay fever. Which, in our opinion, is worth a shot at least, right?
Here are the succulents hay fever sufferers need to invest in…
Eucalyptus Sprigs
Eucalyptus has been long used as a remedy to relieve respiratory problems, and eucalyptus oil is a popular ingredient in medicines to help open up nasal passages.
Sprigs of eucalyptus work great when placed in the bathroom to help reduce the symptoms of hay fever.
When you run the hot water for showers or baths, the steam enables to release of eucalyptus oils into the air, helping to relieve blocked sinuses.
Areca Palm
Areca Palm plants have generously sized leaves that are great for trapping allergens, helping to provide hay fever relief.
Areca Palms are also great at increasing the natural humidity of the air inside your home.
Dracaena
Dracaena plants are one of the most effective plants for removing allergens from the air.
The plant helps to remove benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde, while also absorbing carbon monoxide. This plant is commonly known for trapping allergens in the air within its leaves.
Aloe Vera
This attractive plant is well known for its soothing properties, but did you know it also improves the overall air quality in your home?
And because Aloe Vera produces oxygen during the night-time, rather than during the day, the plant is great for providing hay fever relief to sufferers whose symptoms are making them struggle to sleep.
Devil’s Ivy
Devil’s Ivy is a great accent plant for shelves or walls in any room of the home.
They’re very low maintenance and help to remove harmful toxins and allergens from the air in your home, making it the perfect choice for allergy sufferers who are looking to add a trailing plant to their home décor.
Peace Lily
Peace Lilies are a beautiful low-maintenance bloom that can effectively filter formaldehyde and trichloroethylene in the air. This can help to provide hay fever relief by easing the symptoms in sufferers.
These plants work very well when placed in kitchens or bathrooms as they can also absorb and feed on mould.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are one of the most common houseplants in the UK. These plants are very effective in tackling pollutants such as benzene, xylene, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde.
Plus, they are easy to maintain and only need to be watered once per week.
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