8 Best Herbal Teas for Allergies – Find a Natural Relief to Your Symptoms

Suffering from an allergy can be very irritating, or even dangerous. The usual solution to relieve allergy symptoms is to buy a pill or nasal spray that contains antihistamines or corticosteroids.

But maybe you are looking for a more natural solution to this problem?

Luckily, there are also herbs that contain polyphenols which act as natural antihistamines.

Read this article to find out what are the best herbal teas for allergies and find a natural relief to your symptoms.

I suffer from respiratory allergies around the year. Most of the time my allergic symptoms are quite mild, but it’s still annoying to be sneezing and red-eyed.

When I took an allergy test at a health center, the results said that I am a little bit allergic to everything that was tested (cats, dogs, pollen, dust mites, etc.)

This explains why I have allergic symptoms around the year — there is always something that triggers the allergic reaction.

Before I used to take an antihistamine pill and nasal spray every day, but sometimes I would still be sneezing and having a stuffy nose, especially in the morning. Then I started researching herbal teas and their health benefits and found out that they could be helpful with allergies.

Nowadays I still have to take an antihistamine pill occasionally, but most of the time I can do fine by drinking herbal teas daily.

I wrote this article so that everyone suffering from allergies could find a natural way to relieve their symptoms. I have gathered the best herbal teas for allergies based on both my own experience and scientific research.

What Exactly Are Allergies?

Before we look further into herbal teas, let me explain what causes allergies in the first place.

Allergy is not a disease but occurs when our immune system becomes hypersensitive to something that is normally considered harmless. This triggering substance is called an allergen.

There are many types of allergies including, food, drug, and insect allergies. Yet, in this guide, I will focus mainly on herbal teas that can relieve respiratory allergies such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis).

What Causes Allergic Symptoms?

Our immune systems produce antibodies, proteins that can neutralize pathogens such as harmful bacteria and viruses. When we are allergic, or hypersensitive, to something, our antibodies identify that substance as harmful and attack it which causes inflammation.

Allergic symptoms vary from minor itchiness and runny nose to life-threatening emergencies. If you suffer from a severe food allergy or insect allergy, consult a doctor and do not try treat the symptoms with herbal teas.

However, if you have seasonal allergic rhinitis, this guide might have just what you need – a set of herbal remedies to relieve your symptoms naturally.

Best Herbal Teas for Allergies

1. Rooibos Tea

Indigenous people of South Africa have been using the rooibos plant (Aspalathus linearis) as an herbal remedy for thousands of years. Rooibos is a flowering shrub, and the tea brewed from its leaves contains a high amount of polyphenol antioxidants and is naturally free of caffeine.

This plant has been traditionally used for treating allergies, cramps, insomnia, and various other conditions.

Rooibos tea contains chrysoeriol and querceting, which are polyphenols that can help with allergies and asthma.

Chryseriol acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound that relieves wheezing and stuffiness. Quercetin works as a natural antihistamine and it can prevent allergic symptoms from triggering.

I feel like drinking rooibos tea daily helps with my allergies, and it is definitely one of the best herbal teas for relieving allergic symptoms. I usually drink it before bedtime as it helps me relax and have a better sleep. More research is needed to prove the effectiveness of rooibos tea in preventing allergic symptoms.

Read this article to find out what are the best rooibos tea products and how to brew it at home.

Next, I recommend that you watch this short video about rooibos tea and allergies:

2. Yerba Mate Tea

Yerba mate tea is a traditional South American beverage that is considered very healthy and has an energizing effect due to its relatively high caffeine content. I drink mate tea daily because it gives me more energy to exercise and work.

Yerba mate can also relieve allergic symptoms such as a stuffy nose and congestion.

This herbal infusion stimulates our adrenaline glands so that they produce more corticosteroids. Allergies are caused by the overactivated immune system and corticosteroids can help with opening up airways and suppressing allergic reactions. Mate tea also enhances blood circulation and relieves congestion.

Planning on buying some yerba mate?

Read this article to find the right product for you: Yerba Mate Tea Reviews – 5 Popular Brands

3. Peppermint Tea

Peppermint is a cross of watermint and spearmint, and it has many proven health benefits. Peppermint tea is one of my favorite teas, and I often drink it after a meal to help with digestion, or to relax before bedtime.

Peppermint tea is known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and decongestant properties, and it has been traditionally used as a home remedy for allergies.

It has a high concentration of menthol, which acts as a muscle relaxant and relieves congestion. The vapor arising from hot peppermint tea is very pleasant and breathing it in helps with stuffiness.

Here is an article where I introduce my favorite mint tea brands: Best Mint Tea Brands

If you want to try making traditional Moroccan mint tea, check out this recipe. It is usually brewed with spearmint, but you can also use peppermint.

4. Nettle Tea

Nettle is often considered an irritable plant that is unwanted in a garden because of its stinging touch. However, it can also be useful, and nettle tea is often used as a remedy for seasonal allergies.

This herb was also important for Native Americans and the Cherokee used the nettle root for an upset stomach.

A study from 2009 indicates that the natural antihistamines found in nettle contribute to inhibiting pro‐inflammatory pathways related to allergic rhinitis.

Fresh nettle is often easily available and you can make nettle tea by boiling it in a kettle for a few minutes. This removes its stinging qualities so you can drink the tea without a worry.

In my opinion, the grassy taste of nettle tea is not very pleasant, but you can make it a lot tastier by blending it with other herbs. Why not mix it with peppermint and ginger to make an even more powerful anti-allergic tea?

5. Ginger Root Tea

Chinese have been using ginger as a medicine for thousands of years. It has often been used as a digestive aid, cough suppressant, and a remedy for nausea.

It is also effective against the common cold and allergies. In addition, a cup of warm and spicy ginger tea tastes really good!

According to research, ginger tea is one of the best herbal teas for allergic symptoms.

The results of this study from 2016 suggest that 6-gingerol, a major compound of ginger, can reduce sneezing and nasal rubbing related to allergic rhinitis.

Make a strong ginger tea and feel it yourself. It really is one of the best ways to naturally open up your stuffy nose and relieve allergic symptoms.

You can prepare your ginger tea from the beginning by using fresh ginger root, or you can buy some tea bags to make things faster and more convenient. If you are going to buy ginger tea, read my guide to find the best ginger tea products on the market.

6. Eucalyptus Leaf Tea

Eucalyptus is a fast-growing tree naturally occurring mostly in Australia and being cultivated all over the world. It is being used for many types of products including oils, creams, and ointments.

Eucalyptus tea contains anti-inflammatory compounds and helps with relieving congestion.

In addition, this tea definitely has a nice and fresh aroma, and just breathing it in can help with stuffiness.

7. Licorice Root Tea

Licorice root tea is often used as a natural cough suppressant and expectorant. It helps with relieving the irritating cough caused by itching and irritation of the throat and getting the phlegm out of your body.

Licorice tea has anti-inflammatory properties that can aid with respiratory problems. In addition, I really like its naturally sweet taste!

Organic peppermint and licorice tea from Pukka is an excellent option for treating allergies. It is one of my favorite herbal teas and you can read more about it in this review article.

8. Lemon Balm Tea

Lemon balm is a plant that belongs to the mint family and has a lemony scent that it has been named after. It is known to have many medicinal qualities and has traditionally been used to improve mood and cognitive function.

Lemon balm tea can also help with opening up the respiratory system and that’s why it is often recommended for allergic symptoms.

Use Herbal Infusions to Treat Allergies

Allergies can be very irritating and even dangerous, and often allergic symptoms might end up ruining your day.

Sometimes, after waking up, I start sneezing right away, and have an itchy and runny nose and red eyes. That really isn’t a good start for a day.

The great thing is, that in addition to being tasty and providing numerous health benefits, I have found that herbal teas are a great way to relieve mild allergies like hay fever.

Now that you know what are the best herbal teas for allergies, I think it’s a good idea to at least try if they could help with relieving your symptoms.

So instead of always taking an antihistamine pill, try drinking some of these herbal teas daily for at least a few weeks, and see if it helps.

I really hope you can find a natural relief to your allergic symptoms from these herbal teas!

Herbal Teas and Allergies FAQ

What causes allergies like hay fever?

Allergies are caused by your immune system becoming too sensitive for certain substances. Hay fever, or allergic rhinitis, is typically caused by airborne allergens, such as pollen, entering your respiratory system.

What is the best tea for allergies?

According to research, rooibos tea is probably the best tea for preventing allergic symptoms from triggering. You can also blend it with other herbal ingredients such as peppermint, yerba mate, nettle, and ginger, to make a more powerful infusion.

Can I use yerba mate to relieve allergic symptoms?

Yes, yerba mate tea stimulates corticosteroid production and may help with suppressing allergic reactions and relieving congestion.

Is peppermint tea good for allergies?

Peppermint tea has a high concentration of menthol and may aid with relieving congestion and opening up airways.

Please post a comment below and tell me which teas have been best for reducing your allergic symptoms.

Enjoy your herbal teas and stay healthy!

-Joonas