Natural remedies to help banish summer sniffles

Seasonal respiratory tract illnesses are on the up, so here experts suggest some of nature's best treatments to help soothe them.

- By Matt Nixson

Thought colds and coughs were exclusively winter ailments? Think again. Summer can be relentless when it comes to respiratory tract illnesses and allergies, which can cause coughs, runny noses, and itchy eyes and throats.

Covid is still with us, too, with GP surgeries and clinics emphasising the need for masks if you visit with a cough or a cold. So before you move into summer thinking about outdoor activities, socialising and sunshine, remember that the season can deliver its fair share of respiratory woes.

Dr Tim Bond, from essential oils experts Puressentiel, explains: "One in three Brits have had a cough in the last month, while a fifth have had one in the last two months. Plus, while spring is renowned for being allergy season, more than a third of people (35%) claim their allergies are worse in the summer and are especially an issue this year.

"In fact, hayfever is set to be worse than last year, according to the UK Met Office, leading to an array of symptoms including coughs, itchy eyes, a runny nose and even headaches."

As a result, sufferers are increasingly turning to natural remedies when it comes to such summer ailments.

"Over a third of people have actually tried natural solutions to help bust a cold, cough, or respiratory problems, and over two-thirds of these say they banished their symptoms," says Dr Bond.

Dr Nisa Aslam, a GP, adds: "Summer coughs, like winter ones, can persist for several weeks, often with little relief in sight. However, nature may offer a faster way to manage these symptoms.

"Plant-based remedies and their essential oils could provide a natural solution, not only helping to alleviate coughs and colds but also to help prevent them."

Here are nine plant-based superheroes to help you combat summer health woes.

Eucalyptus oil