Former Countryfile presenter Naomi Wilkinson reveals bizarre hack for 'curing' hayfever
Naomi Wilkinson, 47, uses stinging nettles to stem her hay fever symptoms READ MORE: As hay fever sweeps the nation, how SNEEZING can cause burst lungs, break ribs, cause your bowels to explode
Stinging nettles may appear to be an inconvenience on country walks - especially for those wearing summer shorts - but according to Bristol-born TV presenter Naomi Wilkinson they have the power to cure a very common health condition: hay fever.
The 47-year-old, who has appeared on programmes on CITV, CBBC and the BBC, has become something of a TikTok sensation thanks to her unusual stinging nettle hack, with one of her videos on the subject racking up almost 800,000 views.
The former Milkshake and Countryfile presenter, like many other Brits, suffers with extreme hay fever symptoms during the summertime.
Causing watery eyes, an itchy and blocked nose and, most annoyingly of all, uncontrollable sneezing, hay fever, which is effectively a pollen allergy, affects one in five people in the summer months according to NHS Inform.
And, with the pollen count soaring during the UK's long-awaited heatwave, it is now causing people all over the country plenty of irritating issues.
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![Naomi Wilkinson (pictured), 47, from Bristol, posted a clip on TikTok explaining how she had started to use stinging nettles to treat her hay fever symptoms](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/26/15/86593283-13571685-image-a-13_1719411384080.jpg)
Naomi Wilkinson (pictured), 47, from Bristol, posted a clip on TikTok explaining how she had started to use stinging nettles to treat her hay fever symptoms
![The TV presenter's second TikTok clip on the topic of stinging nettles has been viewed almost 800,000 times](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/26/15/86593245-13571685-image-a-14_1719411393504.jpg)
The TV presenter's second TikTok clip on the topic of stinging nettles has been viewed almost 800,000 times
In an effort to cope with her hay fever, Naomi has rejected traditional over-the-counter or prescription medications in favour of stinging herself with the nettles to stem her symptoms.
The unconventional hack, which the presenter has documented on TikTok (@naomi_wilkinson_), has enabled Naomi to walk freely through nature this summer.
To help cure her hay fever Naomi collects stinging nettles and proceeds to rub and sting herself on the wrist and ankles.
Having got the idea to use nettles in this way online, the TV presenter is unsure as to the science behind the hack but said the results have been astonishing.
Naomi said: 'Stinging nettles are massively helping my hay fever.
'Obviously I am not a doctor so doing this at my own risk, but I am finding huge benefits, a remarkable change.
'Suffered with it all my life and I'm feeling very excited about potentially finding a remedy to the annual misery.
'I have tried everything, the nasal spray, eye drops, acupuncture armband, local honey, balm around my nose - everything.
![Naomi detailed all the symptoms she suffers with and explained how the treatments she's tried previously, including eye drops and nose spray, have been much less effective than rubbing stinging nettles on her wrists](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/26/15/86593267-13571685-image-a-15_1719411461625.jpg)
Naomi detailed all the symptoms she suffers with and explained how the treatments she's tried previously, including eye drops and nose spray, have been much less effective than rubbing stinging nettles on her wrists
![Naomi, who has appeared on programmes on CITV, CBBC and the BBC, has posted clips about her hay fever hack to TikTok, where they've gone viral](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/06/27/15/86593265-13571685-Naomi_who_has_appeared_on_programmes_on_CITV_CBBC_and_the_BBC_ha-a-1_1719499110031.jpg)
Naomi, who has appeared on programmes on CITV, CBBC and the BBC, has posted clips about her hay fever hack to TikTok, where they've gone viral
'Nothing has worked like this, I feel different.
'I've done it on the inside of each wrist and on my ankle, not sure if it matters where.'
Dr Hana Patel, who is based in south east London, explained why Naomi may have benefitted from using stinging nettles.
She said: 'The way in which [stinging nettles] might do this is by blocking histamine receptors and stopping immune cells from releasing chemicals that trigger allergy symptoms.'
She added: 'There is not enough evidence for the NHS to suggest this as routine treatment.'
Fans were left shocked by the presenter's hack.
One said: 'Nettle tea would be a less painful option.'
Craig Sayers added: 'I've been doing this for years.'
Another stated: 'The pain of the sting makes you forget the hayfever for a while.'
Jimmy Turner said: 'I tried the stinging nettles yesterday, got the worst hayfever I've had in years.'
One other joked: 'I've suffered for around 70 years, I've found the best cure is to clear off to the Canaries till it's over.'