Every spring or fall, you may find yourself suffering from seasonal allergy symptoms. Although you may take over-the-counter medications, you may wonder if there are any natural alternatives for finding relief. If so, use the following three-step home remedy for relieving your congestion, sneezing, and itchy eyes.

Step 1:  Drink a Cup of Ginger Tea Sweetened with Local Honey

The first part of this home treatment involves drinking a cup of ginger tea sweetened with local honey. The ginger helps breaks up congestion. Some individuals suggest that consuming local honey can help make you immune to certain pollens in your area. While this isn't backed up by scientific proof, drinking tea sweetened with honey at least increases the tastiness of it.

To make the tea, you need a piece of cheesecloth, a half-inch piece of ginger root, a fine grater, and a tablespoon of local honey. You can find the ginger root in the produce section of your grocery store, while local honey can be purchased at some supermarkets and health food stores.

Grate the root into fine pieces, place them in the center of the cheesecloth, and tie the ends with a piece of twine. Bring a cup of water to a boil in a small pan, then drop in the cloth. Let the water boil for about two minutes, then remove it from heat. Allow the ginger to steep for five minutes.

Remove the cheesecloth and pour the tea into a cup. Add the honey and stir to dissolve it. Before drinking it, breathe in the steam to start the process of breaking up your congestion. Once you have enjoyed your tea, go on to the next step.

Step 2: Inhale Peppermint Oil Mist

The next step in this home remedy is to inhale mist infused with peppermint oil. The menthol in peppermint oil helps relieve your nasal and respiratory congestion. It also serves as an expectorant, and its anti-inflammatory properties can relieve the inflammation in your mucous membranes. You can find peppermint oil in pharmacies and department stores.

If you have a humidifier, add water to it per the manufacturer's instructions along with five drops of peppermint oil to the well. Turn on the machine and let it heat the water. Position the humidifier eight to 10 inches away from your face and deeply inhale the steam for five minutes.

If you do not have a humidifier, you can still reap the benefits of inhaling the peppermint mist. Do this by bringing two cups of water to a boil. Put eight drops of peppermint oil into a bowl and pour the boiling water on top of it. Hold your face about eight inches from the bowl and breathe deeply for five minutes. If desired, you can place a towel over your head to catch the steam. Once you have finished, go on to the third step.

Step 3:  Rinse Your Eyelids with Rose Water

This step treats your red, irritated eyes by rinsing them with rose water. The rose water soothes the inflammation and puffiness caused by the pollens. It also helps flush them away and continues to protect them after the treatment has been completed. You can usually find rose water at health food stores.

To use the rose water, saturate two cotton balls or gauze pads with the liquid. Place them on your closed eyes. Do not put them directly on your eyeballs, as it could irritate them. Leave the cotton balls on your eyelids for 10 minutes, then remove them. Use a dry cotton ball or gauze to pat them off, then let your skin completely air dry.

Using the above home treatment twice a day can help relieve your seasonal allergy symptoms. However, if you want to find the specific cause of your allergies and possible long-term treatments, you may want to see an allergy specialist.