In 2012, a new, more affordable alternative to traditional remedies called balsam tea made headlines after a Texas woman started using it to treat her hay fever.
The product is also a popular supplement for people with hay fever, but its efficacy has yet to be proven.
The balsamic vinegar was used in the trial, and was shown to reduce symptoms by 30% on a placebo, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Balsam has been used to treat a variety of health conditions, including asthma, bronchitis, allergies, depression, anxiety, and insomnia.
However, the balsaminates in tea are thought to have a stronger anti-inflammatory effect than the herb itself, according a study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food.
That said, tea contains plenty of caffeine, which is not an effective treatment for hay fever in some people.
And the balesam in tea does not contain any herbal medicine.
Still, you can try it out.
“It’s a great way to relax,” said J.D. Hausmann, the head of the allergy medicine clinic at the University of South Florida.
“You can just relax and drink it and it feels so natural.”
MORE: Why you should always ask your pharmacist about allergies